How should disciples of Jesus conduct them self?
Jesus told us
“By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” John 13:35
“In showing honor to one another take the lead” “Do not become discreet in your own eyes.” Rom. 12:10,16
‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’” “However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens.” Matt. 5:43-45
Col 3:14, Gal 5:22, 1 Pet 3:15,2 Cor 10:3, 4
Christians, what do these verses mean to you about how to treat fellow Christians and unbelievers?
How should believers of Jesus conduct themselves? Good question, but I think you pretty much answered it yourself. Keep in mind though, that believers are sinners just like unbelievers, and we are all human, prone to make mistakes, get angry, and say things before we think.
Whatever, we all should treat each other with respect, but living in a fallen world, we can't help ourselves.
Stargrrl, we all fall down. Recently, I lost control and got angry, a friend reminded me of Acts15:36-41. If even the Apostles could get that angry, then we should not condemn each other, but rather freely forgive each other as has been done for us.
Insightful: Right. But we Christians should stick together!
In your anger do not sin, being angry is not a sin, what you do with the anger may become a sin. Disciples of Jesus are not to be sinners, they are to turn away from sin and follow after Him. unbelievers commit sin, followers repent and sin no more.
Of course Stargrrl, our first duty it to each other. Hebrews10:24,25. Also, remembering that we are substituting for Jesus with a goal to bring all sorts of people into an accurate understanding and reconciling them to God. 2Corinthians 5:20
Romans 12:9-12:21 answers the question in regards to The Marks of a True Christian.
and it is not to judge for judgment is on God's duty, not ours.
Luk 24:47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Believers are not to be sinners. You can't serve two masters. If you believe you will not sin.
We are to respect all faiths and beliefs because they know not who, if others are just, Angels Unawares. Jesus did play that on his friends once, dressing up and making himself not recognized just to see how they would treat him. What a surprise he got.
There is a story that a preacher who dressed like a homeless person and went out into the streets and what he found was a surprise too. You never know who God is going to work through and what lessons he will bestow on the host or the people involved.
We are to love our neighbors as ourself and to treat them just like we would want them to treat us. Many do not grasp this at all and they tend to judge by only certain scripture in that Bible of theirs that they LOVE to use as a sword. They are even told to use it that way by their religion. Jesus never said to use HIS words that way. I have found many will skirt around what Jesus said and how he said things are to be and how they all work, in favor of that sword to judge.
We are to be no better than anyone else and not hold our selves more holier than thou or put ourselves on a pedestal.
We are to have and strive to have compassion for others and this earth and all the inhabitants therein. Everything happens for a reason and in their own season and many do not understand that either. If there were no strife or what most call evil, then we would never be able to learn about love and that greatness that he put into each and every one of us. It is all about consequences and how it goes around and comes around. It is the good and the bad, but it is all love and compassion and learning about the God that we have WITHIN us. It is about listening to that God within us and not something outside of us. Nothing we have is outside of us. It is ALL WITHIN us, the Kingdom, The Answers and the questions.
We just need to sit quietly and listen to the small voice without anyone elses interpretation of such.
Lady Guinevere,
I totally agree that we should not look down on anyone, and treat all people as valuable John 3:16. Romans 2:12-16 shows believers and unbelievers all have a conscience. Not all listen though and the voice gets weaker.
Walk in the Spirit!
If truly a disciple of Christ, the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you in your actions as well (All things). We are to continue to study the Scriptures for in them is "eternal life!" The more we study the Scriptures, the more we will discover how Jesus expects us to behave and "believe" that "He" will change our actions from the flesh's desires to what is expected of Him.
However, we are continuously being changed "from glory to glory" as stated in II Corinthians 3:18 until we come into the likeness of Christ!
Romans 7:11-25 & 8 puts my beliefs into perspective concerning how disciples of Jesus should conduct themselves although tempted by the flesh!
Religion teaches that "we" are to change our actions, but I say until all, if "we" change our actions, I guarantee it is a "temporary" fix! But when the Holy Spirit changes you - it's done!
Therefore, seek the Holy Spirit if you have not found and "believe" that He can do "All things" even change the worst of us!
Matthew 22:36-39 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' (NASB)
The phrase that Paul makes to the Galatians “who has bewitched you” (Gal 3:1) always comes to mind when professing Christians try to defend their religion. The words love, neighbor, and heart are tossed around as justification for a fruitless tree. The words are subjective in their definitions depending on the conversation. These statements are the response to a question asked by a religious lawyer. They are related to the law. Normally the present day believer is quick to point out we are not under the law, yet will quote these statements of Jesus as a defense quickly.
The statements are correct however they are the final answer not the starting point. To understand the love and neighbor Christ is talking about we need start at the beginning. Christ started His message with “Repent” not love. We enter via the narrow gate after having repented. Once part of the flock we will want to love God more than ourselves knowing who He is. The decrease of self that John the Baptist spoke of helps this love to develop (John 3:30). We cannot be on the broad path that leads to destruction quoting something that must be learned on the narrow path that leads to life.
Today we should want to know how to become a disciple of Christ. The assumption using words like Christian, Jesus, church, gospel is that we are disciples. The disciple of Christ is not a finished product however the start is with sin that has been repented of. You cannot be a disciple and sin. Love that the Father should have cannot be given from an active sinner. The greatest commandment is not for sinners but for repentant Children of God. The desire for that ability to love as He did comes from the repentant heart, that happens by turning away from sin.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (NASB)
I really enjoyed your comment. I also appreciate that you included the focus of Jesus' preaching work. Matthew 4:17. Thank you,
Great choice Insightful! I loved your response Rich! Need I add: Matt 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom of God (The Holy Spirit to lead/guide), and His righteousness & ALL these things (behavior too) shall be added unto you!"
by SwordofManticorE 11 years ago
This may also include sinners or homosexuals. How many times have we read signs from those who call themselves christians that "God hates sinners"? So is it wrong for them to hate God back?
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