Genuine Love
Roman 1:18-32
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Ephesisans 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification.
Nobody likes to be criticized.It hurts even worse when it comes from someone who talks abot usbehind or backs. In romans 1:29-30, Paul called such people "whisperers" and "backbiters." He listed them among the proud, murderers, inventors of evil, God-haters, and the like.
Whisperers are gossipers who secretly spread rumors, and backbiters are those who talk spitefully about a person. Tragically, some Christians are guilty of these sins. they wouldn't run people down with their cars, but they willingly "run them down" with their words, belittling what they do or say.
People who engage in these destructive acts don't see the inconsistency of their behavior and haven't taken to heart the words of the apostle Paul: "Let love be without hypocrisy" (Romas 12:9). Or, has one translator has paraphrased it, "Don't fake love."
We need to repent of our gossip and replace it with what John Stott calls "holy gossip." That is, we need to talk enthusiastically about transforming work that Christ is doing in people's lives. For example, "Have you noticed that Joe is a completely chaned person since he gave his life to Christ?" Or, "I certainly see the Lord at work in Susan!"
How genuine is your love? -JEYButton up your lips securely
'Gainst the words that bring a tear,
But be swift with words of comfort,
words of praise and words of cheer. - Loucks
OUR WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO BUILD UP OR TO TEAR DOWN.
Roman 1:18-32
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Ephesisans 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification.
Nobody likes to be criticized.It hurts even worse when it comes from someone who talks abot usbehind or backs. In romans 1:29-30, Paul called such people "whisperers" and "backbiters." He listed them among the proud, murderers, inventors of evil, God-haters, and the like.
Whisperers are gossipers who secretly spread rumors, and backbiters are those who talk spitefully about a person. Tragically, some Christians are guilty of these sins. they wouldn't run people down with their cars, but they willingly "run them down" with their words, belittling what they do or say.
People who engage in these destructive acts don't see the inconsistency of their behavior and haven't taken to heart the words of the apostle Paul: "Let love be without hypocrisy" (Romas 12:9). Or, has one translator has paraphrased it, "Don't fake love."
We need to repent of our gossip and replace it with what John Stott calls "holy gossip." That is, we need to talk enthusiastically about transforming work that Christ is doing in people's lives. For example, "Have you noticed that Joe is a completely chaned person since he gave his life to Christ?" Or, "I certainly see the Lord at work in Susan!"
How genuine is your love? -JEYButton up your lips securely
'Gainst the words that bring a tear,
But be swift with words of comfort,
words of praise and words of cheer. - Loucks
OUR WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO BUILD UP OR TO TEAR DOWN.
