A Shepherd's Heart

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Is your love sincere, truly God-honoring?
by GBC Ministry

 

Brothers and Sisters In Christ,
 
I was impacted greatly this morning by a powerful lesson taught by two complementary passages regarding Christian relations and ministry.
 
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; (Romans 12:9-10)
 
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. (1 Timothy 5:19-21)
 
I will be very brief and trust the Holy Spirit to deliver the truth of these to individual hearts.
 
If we are to honor God and reap the full blessing of the riches of His grace, we must be self-sacrificing in our dealings with one another. In regards to situations involving “doubtful things,” we must prefer others over ourselves, be willing to forego a personal privilege, opinion, “right,” etc. when it has the potential to offend a fellow believer or cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble. However, in matters of righteousness, ethics, and morals, pleasing God, not man, is to be our only motivation and goal. In these matters, we are to apply the unchanging truth of the Word of God charitably, honorably, and equally to all (including, and especially, ourselves), without partiality, regardless of our personal thoughts of or relationship with those affected.
 
Such reverence for God, His truth, and His body, the church, is the true measure of sincere love. And if we love God as we should, we will love His children as He commands, always endeavouring to do the right thing in the right way for both their blessing and His glory.
 
Our Lord’s Example:
 
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29)
 
Our Lord’s Instructions:
 
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. (John 14:23-24)
 
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3)

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Grace Bible Church :-: (217) 200-2232 :-: 3900 N Willow Rd Urbana, P.O. Box 303, IL 61803 :-: pastor (at) gbcurbana.com