Work It Out

John 13:34-35

[34] "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

[35] By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 3:15

[15] Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

A disciple is someone who follows Jesus.

Acts 11:26b

The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

A Christian IS a disciple of Jesus Christ, not just a church goer.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

[5] It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

[6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

[7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The opposite of patient is impatient.

The opposite of kindness is unkindness.

The opposite of not envy is to envy.

The opposite of not boasting is boasting.

The opposite of not proud is proud.

The opposite of not rude is rude.

The opposite of not self-seeking is self-seeking.

The opposite of not easily angered is easily angered.

The opposite of not keeping a record of wrongs is keeping a record of wrongs.

The opposite of not delighting in evil is delighting in evil.

Evil is putting yourself first.

A disciple of Jesus Christ, a student of Jesus Christ, a follower of Jesus Christ...a Christian, is clearly shown by how he treats others.

It is also obvious then, that the liar who calls himself a "believer" is likewise shown by how he treats others...even if he really believes he is.

Lying to yourself is the worst!

Galatians 6:7-10

[7] Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

[8] The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

[9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

[10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Would you mock a man who doesn't know Christ, because he can't yet see what you see?

Why then do you mock those who you think are wrong on any biblical matter, rather than speak the truth in love?

Would you be harsh to a disciple God gives you?

Why then do you insult those who think differently than you? Those who don't admire the same popular "teachers" as you?

Why do you treat with impatience, rudeness, insult, humiliation, and meanness, those you disagree with?

I can tell you why.

It is extremely biblical.

You are not a believer in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:5

[5] Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

Have you never noticed the timing of a certain teaching? How often it kind of dings your heart, seeing it, just after you did what it exposes?

Yeah, it's God, the One outside of time and space. The One who is in control of all things...including your circumstances.

I can tell you; He is either in the process of growing you, or He is piling on reasons for judgement.

How do you know the difference?

If you start treating others better than yourself, well, then He is working for your benefit.

If you don't treat others better, He is using your evil to grow those who really are His.

These are the only two paths. Which one are you on?

Romans 9:22-23

[22] What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction?

[23] What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--

Philippians 2:12-13

[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

[13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Faith drives action.

Your action shows your faith.

Do you believe in you...or Him?