Living Peaceably with all men

Romans 12:18 

 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

The scope of Romans 12 to 15 sets itself as the single most compact set of practical regulations in the Bible for the Christian. Within fifteen minutes you can read the entirety of that which is naturally expected respecting the manner of life of the Christian;

how they should live, what manner of person they should be, how they are to apply themselves in society, how they are to consider living in this world.

What we find are sets of the most practical commands in the Bible that provides for both the life and the liberty of those who are known of Christ. To live in the manner described is not only for the blessing of those in Christ, but as a result, the blessing of the entire world.

Romans chapter 12 opens the account with the basic fundamentals for the individual, and then we see with increasing intensity of challenge to our natural state of life in the flesh, a developing progress of understanding about how we should live. 

In other words, chapter twelve is 101 Christian living, Chapter thirteen is 201, chapter fourteen 301 till we get to the midpoint of chapter fifteen where Paul begins his farewell benediction.

Introduction

The verse we are addressing this morning speaks of every effort to be made personally, to be at peace with all people.

Relationships and broken relationships are the single greatest cause of grief in the world and the creation of division among people is the single most effective tool of Satan to bring misery to the world.

God sent his Son, the prince of peace, to reconcile a fallen world to God, to make peace with God. Gods desire is peace between people and his word is the only place where the method of our peace is to be understood.

Satan desires division and war, God desires reconciliation and peace. 

Now, while we state that broken relationships are the greatest cause of Grief to the world, we can also state that loving and peaceful relationships are the greatest cause of blessing to the world.

Those who come together like we do on a regular basis are ALLWAYS the happiest of people and most especially when love and peace is so evident, especially when each individual employs the fifteen words that make up this verse;

Romans 12:18 

 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

The Practicality of The Command

The Particularity of The Command  

The Universality of The Command

The Applicability of The Command

 

The Practicality of The Command

Romans 12:18 

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

In this the Lord does not charge Christians to undertake that which is impossible, but possible. Yet there seems to be a limit imposed in the first four words of the verse, ‘If it be possible”. 

The bounds of the instruction to live peaceably with all men is limited ONLY to its possibility to the utmost of our effort, (“as much as lieth in you”). If it is impossible, then we are free from the obligation.

Whatever is within our ability to do respecting living in peace with people, we are to do. Knowing that it is for the benefit of our own lives, we should give it the fullest of our attention.

We should see that to live in peace is health to our lives and brings sleep to our eyes,

 We are to consider it as the thing most needful between people and therefore should be attended to and maintained wherever it is possible.

Hebrews 12:14 

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

There the text tells us to “Follow peace with all men”, in that we see an active pursuit of it as the thing that is vitally important, so much so that without which no man shall see the Lord: 

Those who have made peace with God should be the first to know how it is to “follow peace with all men”.

Our desire for peac

Almost Heaven

The last in our series on heaven and hell will have as its focus the lamented state of those in hell who attained ALMOST HEAVEN.

‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” says King Agrippa.

It was 1912 when John Harper was asked to return to the United States and continue his ministry to the lost at Moody Church in Chicago. He was a Scottish Evangelist, a widower and would bring his six year old daughter with him.

He booked his ticket on the Lusitania for April that year, but an opportunity came up for him to take a brand new Luxury liner, so John Harper decided to delay his departure for one week and secured tickets for himself and his six year old daughter, to sail from Southhampton England to New York on the 10th of April 1912 on board the Titanic.On Sunday the 14th of April, 1912, the day when the iceberg was struck by the ill-fated liner, the weather was fine, the sea calm. Harper attended the church service for the passengers.The Titanic struck the iceberg that night at 11:40 p.m. As the call was issued for passengers to vacate their cabins, Harper wrapped his daughter in a blanket, told her that she would see him again one day, and passed her to one of the crewmen.As a father and widower, John Harper was one of the few men permitted to enter a lifeboat, but after watching his daughter safely board, he removed his life jacket and gave it to one of the other passengers.One survivor spoke of this preacher and distinctly remembered hearing him shout, “Women, children and the unsaved into the lifeboats!”Harper knew that believers were ready to die but the unsaved were not ready. Harper then ran along the decks pleading with people to turn to Christ, and with the ship sinking, witnesses stated that he called upon the Titanic’s orchestra to play, “Nearer, my God, to Thee.”As the ship began to lurch, he jumped into the icy waters and swam to all he could reach,“Is your soul saved” he was heard to cry out to each person he could in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic.Hundreds of people were in the water, but only six individuals were rescued from the water and into a lifeboat.“Is your soul saved” came the cry again, “No” came many responses, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thous shalt be saved” came his answer again and again.Finally, as hypothermia set in, John Harper sank beneath the waters and passed into the Lord’s presence; he was 39.How many were eternally saved before succumbing to the deep?How many where almost lost eternally that night?More concerning of all, how many were almost saved? How many where almost in heaven?

King Agrippa in our text this morning was one such individual.

“Almost thou pursuadest me to be a Christian”

Almost Heaven!

How much will those very words haunt him for all eternity?What of those on the Titanic who heard John Harpers selfless cry, “Is thy soul saved?”

Sadly, the evidence that we have in the Bible is that there will be FAR too many people in hell who had “Almost Heaven”.

One writer speaks of the most lamentable word he might ever expect to hear in hell is the word “Almost”.

How many in this room, how many who hear this sermon will spend eternity crying. “Almost, almost, almost was my soul saved….almost heaven”.

Last time we gave some facts respecting the Purpose of hell, this week we will consider six groups of people who had “almost heaven”.

The Unsaved Church Member

The example set before us is Judas Iscariot.

Directly Chosen by Christ as one of the twelve who had multiple opportunities to believe the Gospel but chose rather to betray Christ for thirty pieces of Silver, he had ALMOST HEAVEN.

Judas was called to the apostleship and was expected to be with the twelve, a member no doubt of the group chosen by Christ.

In Acts Chapter 1 however Peter stood up and said;

Acts 1:16–1816 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concern

Hell

Pr Edi Giudetti

28-3-2020

Scripture Luke 16:19-31

The account given above by Christ has within it several understandings of the nature of Hell. 

Many biblical themes can be derived directly from the passage here in Luke 16. 

That the rich man is fully aware of where he is. Completely conscious that he is in hell even though his body is buried in a grave.That the man is in fiery tormentThat the man is not in disagreement as to the state he finds himself, though he is in no doubt surprised to have been so suddenly cast down. That the man requests no company of family. A recognition that hell is not a corporate abode. The Bible indeed teaches that every person in hell is perfectly isolated for all eternity. There is no fellowship, no company, no distraction, no relief.That the man’s name is not mentioned identifies the scriptural teaching that the names of the wicked shall rot and also that the former things shall not be remembered nor come into mind (Prov 10:7, Isaiah 65:17)

Though there are many more, my desire this morning is to bring out only three fundamental pictures of Hell that also incredibly have its characteristics confirmed in the nature of God, of Sin, of the Atonement, Of Salvation and of Heaven.

Three pictures of Hell that reference three fundamental aspects of each of those five natures.

Though there are indeed those who are fascinated with the subject, the more you indeed deal with it and study it the more it sickens and depletes your energy in the consideration of it.

Punishment 

Destruction 

Banishment 

Hell is the Place of Eternal Punishment

So many are the errors that have been taught through the years respecting the Biblical doctrine of hell that it is often impossible to know where to begin this consideration.

I take a note of one anecdote and it is simply that of the lowly bank teller who is given the range of genuine bank notes to study to be aware of forgeries. 

She notices that those notes that are given her are all legal tender, none of them are an example of a forgery. She raises an objection to her employer telling him he should supply her with all the forgeries known so that she might identify them when they come across her path. 

He employer said to her, “madam, study and learn the true article, turn it over and over in great consideration, know its colour and shades, learn its lines and texture, and when one, of a potential infinite number of forgeries come, you will know which is the true and which is the false”

And so it is beloved when it comes to Biblical truth. If your desire is to know the truth of a matter, learn from the source of truth, the Bible, study and learn the true article, turn it over and over in great consideration, know is meanings and shades of meaning, learn its precepts and see the character of its author, and you will quickly identify any deviation from the truth of all it teaches.

We can choose to believe whatever it is that we want to believe, but can I ask you to what end? What is the point of believing an untruth? 

Hell is by far the single most hated doctrine in the entire Bible. Yet, for the sake of our eternal safety it is difficult to see anything more important to know the truth of.

We will in no doubt touch on some error as we make our way through this study, but most important is to simply see what it is the scriptures plainly teach respecting it. In spite of all the claims against the concept of Hell, what we will find this morning is the incredible clarity in which it is presented.

Just as warning signs along the road are incredibly clear respecting any danger ahead, so too is the warning respecting the danger of hell.

The first consideration for us to understand is, that hell the place of Eternal Punishment.

Notably, just as heaven is the dwelling place of God, s we also see Hell as the final end of the Devil.

Turn to Matthew 25:40–46

Jesus first gives the account of a k

Death: The Transition

Consideration is given to us as we make the change from the Topic of Heaven to that of Hell and that is to give consideration to the transition to either abode through that life-ending event we call death.

There are many important topics in the Bible, but the concept of death is that to which the Gospel itself pertains its urgency. it is the topic for which if the Gospel is not received or believed on time, will usher an individual into that infernal hell out of which is no hope.

It is a topic that all people aside from the rapture, will one day imminently experience. Its not a pleasant topic, but it’s difficult to imagine a topic more important than death.

Death is the means through which people will realise their final state.

Strangely enough, many people know they will die but live as though death somehow doesn’t apply to them.

There was a bold preacher who once told the congregation, “Someday every member of this parish will die!” The congregation was stunned, all except one man who laughingly said, “I don’t belong to this parish.”[1]

Death does not just separate loved ones, but death brings to the departed the permanent end for which they lived.

To those who sought the forgiveness of God for sin and desire his company, they shall retain his company in his dwelling place with all the heavenly angels and saints in eternity.

To those who despise God and desired not the knowledge of his ways till the end of their life, they shall be as separated from God as far as absolute darkness is from light, and have their solitary dwelling in hell for all eternity. 

(Contrary to popular belief, there is NO fellowship in hell, no revelry, no eternal parties. We will speak to that more next week)

What is certain about death is that it only affects the living.

What is uncomfortable about death is that it can occur at anytime.

My desire this morning is to explain death related to four different elements and, contrary to the nature of the subject, my desire is to encourage you.

I have no intention on leaving you miserable, but on telling you of both the ULTIMATE problem of life with the ULTIMATE SOLUTION in life.

Four are the topics of our study this morning.

The Origin of Death

Romans 5:12–18

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

The world does not see death as an aberration. 

Naturally, for as long as man has been in the world so too death has been in the world and therefore death seems to the world as natural as life. But strangely, life is inexplicable to the world, yet death seems to be easily understood.

You can search all your life for a scientific definition of life and you won’t find any consistency, in fact science itself cannot explain life, they don’t know what gives a substance life and so the world turns to Philosophy in order to find the definition of life, and there are several.

But it seems easy to find a definition of death, death is simply the absence of life.

Mortimer Adler, editor of the Great Books states it simply that: “Death is a change which only living matter undergoes”.[2]

Only that which is alive can die.

Even though a definition of death can be found, the origin of death is a curiosity.

 As far as the world is concerned death is a part of life, and that would be true of there was not a competing idea that better fits with reality. What do I mean?

All people in the world have in them an innate desire to life and to live forever. It seems to be built in. All people in the world find the entire concept of death inexplicable and unnatural. It’s impossible to look at the body of a dead person and think that your loved one is still there, there is a vacuum, an absence, a departure that seems on the surface final. And we find great difficulty in coming to terms with death and that is because it feels so surreal, even unnatu

Heaven Pt 3: Citizens of Heaven & Strangers on Earth

CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

Pr Edi Giudetti

Ephesians 2:13–22 

 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizenswith the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

Strangers In A Strange Land

There are those who have had the opportunity to visit other nations and lands, those who might also have had opportunity to travel in Australia from the south to the far north of the country or to the center, there are those still who have traveled to the third world and experienced the culture, the people, the way and manner of life. 

Tourists we call them. They don’t live there, it is not their home, they are sojourners passing through but perhaps staying a while. Some of us have done this, some of us have indeed travelled, some locally some far away. We have been there as visitors.

Depending on how different the culture is, we were seen by those who live there as strangers, people who simply don’t belong, people who have come and who one day will go. Foreigners, who might come bearing gifts or taking home memorials of the place they have visited. Some visitors bring ideas to the nations, different and even strange ways and notions. Ideas that, to some are foolish and to others worth believing as true. 

Marco Polo was a venetian sailor who traveled the known world. From Venice to Jerusalem, through Turkey and Persia (Iran), he took his travels to the Caspian sea and sailed through the Straits of Hormuz, he had taken his journey through the Hindu Kush and onto the Silk Road of China, attended the court of the Kublai Kahn, the great grandson of Genghis Kahn, and presented a letter from the Pope, an idea, a request.

He then had sailed as far south as Sumatra (Malasia), then on to India until finally making his way back home.

In each land he was a stranger. To each land he left gifts and taken treasure, but in no place was he home, in no place was he considered a Local, in every place a stranger. Visiting places like this is interesting and educational, sight-seeing is what we usually do, but making it your home however has very different consequences. Consequences that require change, not so much change in wardrobe or whereabouts, but change in ways.

To live happily in a foreign land, either the foreigner will need to become like the residents, or the residents like the foreigner, or a compromise between those two ends. To some it would be like walking a tightrope trying to maintain your own way but living like the locals.

You will never feel at home as a stranger in a strange land where the way of the people is foreign to your own.

But how do you know that you are a Stranger in a Strange land? What’s more, how have you become a stranger in the land in which you were born?

Moses was born in Egypt and at the age of 40 years he came out of Egypt and dwelt in a foreign land called Midian for yet another 40 years. While there he had a son named Gershom. He named him this name recognizing that he had been a stranger in a strange land (Exo 2:22)

Moses and the people forsook the land of Egypt to enter the land of promise. Until they found it they were always going to be Strangers in a Strange land even though they were born there. God had called them out and they were a separated people. Interestingly, even though they were born in Egypt, they were always seen as strangers.

They tell me that you need to be in Sunbury at least 20 years before you are seen as a local. Israel were in Egypt 400 years and always seen as Strangers by the Locals.

You and I were born in this world, we ran the course of this world until the Lord had separated us fr

Heaven Pt 2: Future Home

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Paul here speaks to that Future Home that we shall all enjoy when Jesus “shall decend from heaven”, those who are dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Jesus speaks of bringing us to that Future Home. The Lord speaks to this clearly in John 14:2-3, saying;

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Now, As Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he speaks of a time yet future that Jesus, having gone to heaven, now “Descends from heaven” to gather the Church together “to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord”

Now it is clear that by this text the apostle here speaks to more than only that related to our Future Home, but also draws the attention of the Thessalonian Church to that incredible event known to us as The Rapture of the Church, when Christ descends before the day of Gods wrath is poured out upon the earth, and takes her home to heaven.

Nevertheless, my desire this morning is to preach to you on verse 13 and 14 only.

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

A Future Home To Which We Sorrow Not

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

What has long been known to the Christian and even to the world, is an understanding that heaven is not a place of sorrow but a place of everlasting happiness.

Paul writes here to the Thessalonian Church and somewhat admonishes them in their vain sorrow even as others which have no hope.

By implication therefore is a knowledge that the Future Home of heaven is not a place of sorrow but that to which we have our hope.

The Biblical understanding of Hope is not, as I have showed before, a ‘hope so’ hope, but as the Bible presents a CERTAIN LOOKING FOR THAT WHICH IS NOT YET SEEN.

The Apostle wrote, 

…but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Rom 8:24:25)

It is more certain for those who among us to have our hope in Heaven than for the expectation of our plans for tomorrow.

Heaven for those who are saved by the blood of Christ is a Certain HOPE, not a ‘hope so’ hope!

 So contrary to the sorrow of those who have no hope, Heaven is a place of great and exceeding joy!

A joy more overwhelming than anything that could have its likeness here. A Joy and happiness that has long forgotten even the appearance of sorrow. A Joy so exceeding and incredible that even the

Heaven: Gods Dwelling Place.

The Dwelling Of God

The Vanity Of Man

Introduction

Samuel W Baker was an English explorer who writes of an account in the Nubian Dessert which is the eastern region of the Sahara Dessert in the Sudan. 

Many years ago, when the Egyptian troops first conquered Nubia, a regiment was destroyed by thirst in crossing this desert. 

The men, being upon a limited allowance of water, suffered from extreme thirst, and deceived by the appearance of a mirage that exactly resembled a beautiful lake, they insisted on being taken to its banks by the Arab guide. It was in vain that the guide assured them that the lake was unreal, and he refused to lose the precious time by wandering from his course. Words led to blows, and he was killed by the soldiers, whose lives depended upon his guidance. 

The whole regiment turned from the track and rushed toward the welcome waters. 

Thirsty and faint, over the burning sands they hurried; heavier and heavier their footsteps became; hotter and hotter their breath, as deeper they pushed into the desert, farther and farther from the lost track where the pilot lay in his blood; and still the mocking spirits of the desert, the demon of the mirage, led them on, and the hike glistening in the sunshine tempted them to bathe in its cool waters, close to their eyes, but never at their lips. 

At length the delusion vanished—the fatal lake had turned to burning sand! Raging thirst and horrible despair! the pathless desert and the murdered guide! lost! lost! all lost! Not a man ever left the desert, but they were subsequently discovered, parched and withered corpses, by the Arabs sent upon the search.

The men truly believed what it was they wanted to believe despite the testament of the guide who knew that what they were chasing was a fantasy, something that is untrue no matter how much they desire it to be true.

Sadly, the conviction of this Mirage cost these men their lives, and so it is with all people who willingly choose to ignorantly believe a lie.

Many people are living their lives today believing in things to which there is no absolute authority, and one of the greatest of those beliefs relate to Heaven.

The Bible speaks of many who “became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom 1:21).

There is in many a desire for something to be true that, in spite of their own desires for proof in all other matters of life, they cannot give an inch to their hope being false.

Such is the view of Heaven for many people today.

We are going to be entering into a new study, I felt the need to park the Book of Romans yet again and attend to a topical study on one of the most important subjects of all for mankind, the subject of Heaven, and its counterpart Hell.

There will be six sermons dealing with this subject, six different topics that will bring to us clarity of 

what the Bible teaches, what man believes, and what choice man has on the matter.

It was only this last Friday that the topic came to my mind as vitally important to understand.

It was through the testimony of one person demonstrating a vain confidence that Heaven was a certainty for all people and that it was not really a matter of good or evil. 

The belief of another was based on what a priest told him many years earlier, and that is that there really is no actual heaven or hell, it’s just a place where pure love is and all people will go there.

My friends neither of these things have any basis for truth other than in the imagination.

If the Bible never said anything about heaven or hell we would have no reason to have ever thought it existed.

And if the bible never taught that there are people in both, we would never have considered to possibility of a personal eternal state for any of us.

What is Heaven and what isn’t it?

This is a vital question to consider before we move onto the next two subjects in this series Titled;

“F

God Not Government

Our joy and hope is not in governement but in God. Government gives no permission for joy, God does and when we delight in God not Government, our hope and joy remains despite efforts to the contrary.

David desired the Lord, but the government, King Saul, set himself to destroy David, but his hope remained firm. This is just a small part of his testimony,

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.Psalm 37:1-15

Again, our joy and our hope is in the constancy of Christ, we rejoice in God not government

The post Delight In God Not Government appeared first on Hope Baptist Church.

The Mind of Christ

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

The Mind of Christ

The Humility of Christ

The Integrity of Christ 

Introduction

The Bible teaches us that there is a transformative work being done within us, changing us daily to the image of Christ.

Paul speaks to it saying, in Romans 8:29

For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be confirmed to the image of Christ

He tells us in chapter 13 

“put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh” 

(v14)

Paul speaks of this change within us, a change that will represent the image of Christ;

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Cor 15:49)

Turn to 2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

And just in case you think this is limited to a spiritual makeup, turn to Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

This is the ongoing work of the Lord in each of those who know him, each and every person who is born again. You are to be changed, to be transformed and all through the Bible there is clearly presented that this work is also OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

There is no THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT escape clause in the scriptures, and we see no such idea here in Romans 12.

Paul desires simply that we should have 

The Mind of Christ

The Humility of Christ

The Integrity of Christ 

As he commands that we Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

The Mind of Christ

16 Be of the same mind one toward another

The most evident aspect of the mind of Christ is that demonstrated one toward another. 

Paul writes that we are to “be of the same mind one toward another”.

Beloved this is unity. 

That we differ in opinion on matters concerning the truth should never be the case.

That we should differ on what the Bible teaches should never be the case, we are to be of “the same mind”.

We so often think, in this relativistic, pluralist world that it is natural for our minds to differ one from another and yet it is abundantly clear in the passage before us that this is not the way it should be.

We must be agreed not agree to disagree.

Does that mean one must be forced to agree even though they don’t agree? That is not what the passage tells us. 

Then how is that possible?

Let’s first agree that the passage commands the same mind and we will answer as we go.

Consider:

How can we live in love and hope and joy together if we are of diverse minds toward one another?

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3)

If there is expected to be one group of people more united than any in the world, it should be those who are the body of Christ. But what do we see practically from the beginning?

In 1 Cor 1:12-13 Paul writes;

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Does Paul give any indication that this is how it should be?

If Christ is not divided, should Christians be?

Beloved when we as Christians differ one with another, how are we witnessing the truth of Christ? On the contrary, we blaspheme God and Christ and give false evidence that there is division in the body of Christ, this never ought to be.

We will answer the ‘How’ question in just a moment, but first c

The Empathy of Love

In the first verse of the passage of the Bible we are reading, Romans 12:9 speaks of love without dissimulation, or Love without hypocrisy, and we have seen just such an example set before us in the exhortations to “Distribute to the necessity of saints, and to Bless them that persecute you and now we see this same level of consistency to show the empathy of love, and that is to Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep.

How much would the people of the world be blessed if they would simply accept these commands as absolute? In a time when Giant media Goliaths are ruling the lives of most people in the world, such simple basics as this are almost completely overlooked.

 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Rom 12:9-15)

Love without dissimulation, is the very witness of God to the people of the world. It is Gods love that is witnessed through those who have known the Love of God. It is this love that you and I have experienced that is to emanate from our lives to the people around us, all people, even those who persecute us. It was HIS love first,

“We love him because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19)

So too it is with empathy.

Divine Empathy Rejoices

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

All that that is commanded of us to do was first demonstrated by God. In him is the full gamut of emotion rightly emphasised. When God demonstrated anger it was rightly placed, when he showed love it was rightly placed, when God revealed joy or sorrow, so too it was fitting he should. Speaking to Israel, God said;

I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die (Ezek 33:11).

God had made clear his desire many chapters earlier saying;

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (Ezek 18:23)

Of all people Gods desire is to rejoice over the sheep of his pasture, he rejoices over his children, they please him when they do well, and in doing well they procure the favour of the Lord. Moses referred to them as “blessed” from the very beginning

Turn to Deuteronomy 28:2-9

And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. 8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

In your joy God has joy, in your blessing God himself rejoices over you to bless you. He shares in your happiness. God is first to rejoice with them that do rejoice, and of all people he it is who knows the full extent of the joy you should be experiencing.

The greatest example of Gods joy is told to us by the Lord Jesus in a parable. It is a parable of the joy over the salvation