One of the most striking aspects of the command against judgment is that the entire Old Testament image of God was as a fierce and unyielding Judge.

Paul's word in Ephesians 4:26 are unlike anything we read elsewhere in the New Testament.

We previously examined the commands to avoid those living in obvious sin, both believers and non-believers.

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult requirements of the Christian life.

Sometimes the most wonderful scriptural insights are hidden in the most obscure words or phrases. We find one of these in the passage 2 Corinthians 6:11-13.

Servanthood again rises as the informing virtue and ethic in our lifelong self-training exercise to put other first.

We speak a great deal about servanthood as the fundamental characteristic of Christian conduct.

From home and family relationships, the apostolic commands widen to embrace all relationships. As Christian ministry begins in the home and expands into the church, so too does the capacity and training to treat others in ways that reflect Christlikeness.

Without reading more meaning than probably exists into workmen being worthy of their hire, or elders being worthy of double honor, nowhere in the New Testament can we identify the precedent of huge church budgets for buildings, administrative staffs, music teams, or even paid clergy.

The commands slice into our flesh in many ways. They slice uniquely and personally into my flesh at precisely the point of my rebellion and my independence. They will slice into your flesh in different ways than they do mine.