Recognizing God’s Ways…
There must be no doubt about God’s ways. These ways have been made known to us through the Bible. Jesus set the example of how to live life the way God meant it to be lived. God suggests that you recognize, internalize, and vow to follow his ways all the days of your life.
The judgment leading to our forever-after life…
God is neither a dictator nor an enforcer. He has given us free will. He is all-knowing. It is in our final judgment that each of us will hear the things done according to his will and the things done according to man’s ways. That judgment will determine how and where we will spend our forever life. (Read: 2 Corinthians 5: 10, Romans 14: 12 – 13)
God’s rules for living…
10 commandments, Read Exodus 20: 2 – 17:
1. Have no other gods.
2. Make no graven images or idols – do not bow down to or serve them.
3. God’s name must not be taken in vain.
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. Honor father and mother.
6 – 10. Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, or covet.
Have no murderous, adulterous, covetous, or any other evil thoughts, Read Mark 7: 21 – 23,
Matthew 5: 17 – 30: Evil thoughts not carried out are still sins.
Two commandments greater than all others, Read Mark 12: 30 – 31:
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Love your enemies, Read Matthew 5: 43 – 45:
Do not seek punishment for enemies, rather pray for them.
Show love with more than words, Read 1 John 3: 18:
Show love with truthful words backed up with actions.
Do not judge:
James 4: 11 – 12, emphasizes that there is only one lawgiver and judge, and that judge is he who can save and destroy. Other scriptures that further reinforce God’s warnings about judging others follow: Matthew 7: 1 – 5, Luke 7: 24, Romans 2: 1 – 3 and Ephesians 4 – 29.
A special warning is given in James 1: 26 to those who consider themselves religious. It says that if a tight rein is not kept on the tongue, religion is worthless. Words of judgment would not be used by those who are keeping a tight rein on the tongue. Neither would words be uttered that show hate, greed, envy, wrath, or that belittle, threaten, bear false witness, cause harm, or divisions.
Speak and act with a Christian heart.
The Law and the Prophets, the Golden Rule, Read Matthew 7: 12:
Whatever you would like others do to you, do for them also.
The Lord’s Requirements, Read Micah 6: 8:
Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
Help one another, Read Galatians 6: 2:
Look after each other, help carry one another’s burdens, do good deeds.
Put on the full armor of God, Read Ephesians 6: 10 -18:
Put on the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith,
helmet of salvation, word of the Spirit, then pray without ceasing.
Take care of the health of the earth and its inhabitants, Genesis 1: 26 – 30, Numbers 35: 33:
God gave us dominion over the earth and every creature on the earth. He charged us to be caregivers. We are told not to pollute the land, specifically saying that blood pollutes the land.
Pray in private and without ceasing, Read 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18, Matthew 6: 1 – 35, Luke 18: 10 – 14, Luke 6: 12, Luke 5: 6, Ephesians 6: 18, 2 Chronicles 7: 14:
God knows our needs before we know them. He knows what is in the heart. Prayer is the necessary connection to our Heavenly Father. It provides the way to establish a relationship.
Have God’s ways written on the heart, Read Jeremiah 31: 33, Psalm 119: 11,
Proverbs 3: 1 – 2, Hebrews 10: 16, 2 Corinthians 3: 3, Psalm 40: 8
The Scriptures do not call for us to display the commandments or God’s ways on the walls of public buildings. They make it clearly understood that God’s ways need to be written on the heart.
God’s story is the story of reconciliation, Read Colossians 1: 20 – 22, Romans 5: 10
2 Corinthians 5: 17 – 20, Romans 12: 14 – 21:
God’s miracle answer to solving all our problems is reconciliation. We are called to the ministry of reconciliation.
God asks: “How do your words and actions fit with my rules for living? What changes do you need to make?”
Upcoming: Explanations of what is meant by some of God’s ways is necessary. We must clearly understand them before we can make necessary changes of the heart. Watch first for what is meant by reconciliation. This will help us see why it is God’s miracle answer to solving all our problems. The call to the Ministry of Reconciliation