Do Not Bite!
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Posted On :
Apr-24-2013
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Article Word Count :
554
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Biting is destroying many churches even as we speak (or read). No, I’m not talking about actual biting, but rather personal attacks, people fighting within the church. What does God tell us about biting?
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One of the lessons that most of us learned at an early age is that it is not acceptable to bite other people. A few children may actually reach school age before learning it – but this lesson is universally necessary. People just can’t go around biting one another!
By now, you may be wondering why this topic is mentioned in a Church related publication – has there been a recent outbreak of biting attacks among the children? “Are my children at risk?”
Relax – the kids are safe – at least until they get a bit older ;)
Attacking Each Other:
The Apostle Paul wrote, in Galatians 5:15 (KJV): “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
Immediately prior to those words, Paul had been discussing the Lord’s command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
The apostle was not thinking about playground etiquette when he wrote that phrase. Rather, his concern was the behavior of adults within the church. It may be that Paul was trying to inject a bit of humor into the discussion – there was certainly no problem of cannibalism within the church. His point was that they should not attack one another (usually verbal attacks).
This is Still a Problem!
Unfortunately, nearly 2,000 years later, many believers have yet to learn to obey his instruction. Sooner or later, it seems that every church has an outbreak of “biting attacks”, and some churches may be consumed and even destroyed by them.
Although Paul’s topic was different when He wrote 1 Corinthians 14:33, the message is consistent. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
Our Lord, Himself expressed His will for the church quite succinctly when he taught, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35 NKJV
Loving is Not Always Easy.
Let’s be honest, though. Some folks seem to just deliberately be unlovable – even apparently seeking ways to offend! How am I to love such an aggravating person? Shouldn’t the church just “kick them out”?
Sometimes we may find it difficult to remember, but even if a fellow believer steps on your toes – repeatedly – our Lord gave specific instruction when the Apostle Peter asked about this problem. Let’s read the scripture:
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” - Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)
So we must forgive 490 times, but on number 491, let him have it – right?
Forgive As You Have Been Forgiven.
Do you really imagine that our Lord pictured us keeping score to that extent? His message was, if your brother (or sister) in the Lord offends you, you are to forgive. How many times has He forgiven OUR sins?
Love the person who “does you wrong” as you love yourself; forgive as Christ has forgiven you. No matter how angry you may feel – Do Not Bite!
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Do Not Bite!_262350.aspx
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Author Resource :
Philip Herr has been active in ministry since 1972, beginning in bi-vocational ministry, later moving to full time mission director status. Philip starts each day with short devotions from daily email devotionals on a wide variety of Christian devotional topics.
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Keywords :
daily email devotionals, short devotions, Christian devotional topics,
Category :
Society
:
Society
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