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Biblical Insights on Marriage: A Divine Blueprint

The Bible has much to say about marriage. Remember that God is the one who created marriage. All throughout the Old Testament God frequently used the analogy of a marriage when explaining how Israel was supposed to be faithful to him.

Marriage should be many things. Marriage should be:

  • A source of companionship
    • Genesis 2:18 Now the Lord God said, “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him.” 
    • Notice that God said that it is not good for man to be alone. He made Eve to be a source of companionship for Adam.
  • A valuable partnership
    • Genesis 2:18 Now the Lord God said, “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him.” 
    • Eve was not only for companionship, but she was also for a helper.
    • Ever was not just any helper. She was a suitable helper.
  • A new entity
    • For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
  • A selfless, intimate relationship
    • For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed or embarrassed.

Paul compares the church’s relationship with Jesus to a marriage. Look at the comparison below. This is taken from Ephesians 5:22-23

Husbands and wivesJesus and the church
For the husband is head of the wife,as Christ is head of the church,
 wives should be subject to their husbands in everything [respecting both their position as protector and their responsibility to God as head of the house]. as the church is subject to Christ
Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love],just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 

Guidelines for marriage from the Bible

  • Remain faithful
    • Exodus 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery.
  • If married, stay married if possible.
    • Matthew 19:4-9 He (Jesus) replied, “Have you never read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined inseparably to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” The Pharisees said to Him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?” He said to them, “Because your hearts were hard and stubborn Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
    •  1 Corinthians 7:10-11 But to the married [believers] I give instructions—not I, but the Lord—that the wife is not to separate from her husband, 11 (but even if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband) and that the husband should not leave his wife.
    • 1 Corinthians 7:12-To the rest I declare—I, not the Lord [since Jesus did not discuss this]—that if any [believing] brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ], and she consents to live with him, he must not leave her. And if any [believing] woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not leave him. 
      • This is for those already married before coming to Jeus.
    • If you are in an abusive situation, please get out of it. According to the scriptures in Ephesians, a man is to love his wife. Love is not hitting. A woman is to respect her husband. Respect is not hitting. In an abusive situation, the abuser is in direct violation of the scriptures.
  • Marry someone with similar faith and beliefs
    • 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said:
      • “I will dwell among them and walk among them;
      • And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
      • “So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord,
      • “And do not touch what is unclean;
      • And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor],
      • And I will be a Father to you,
      • And you will be My sons and daughters,”
      • Says the Lord Almighty.
  • Don’t covet
    • Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
  • Don’t marry a close relative.
    • Leviticus 20:17 ‘If a man takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears [responsibility for] his guilt.
  • Don’t allow relatives to intrude upon your marriage.
    • Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 
  • Those of the opposite sex were made for each other.
    •  Matthew 19:4-6 He replied, “Have you never read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined inseparably to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 
    • Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
    • Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
  • Not everyone was made for marriage.
    •  Matthew 19:11-12 But He (Jesus) said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom [the capacity to receive] it has been given. For there are eunuchs who have been born that way from their mother’s womb [making them incapable of consummating a marriage]; and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men [for royal service]; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”
    • 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, [that as a practical matter] it is good if they remain [single and entirely devoted to the Lord] as I am. But if they do not have [sufficient] self-control, they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Practical Tips for Christian Living

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Biblical Guidance for Raising Godly Children

The Bible offers clear guidance on raising children, providing principles and teachings related to their upbringing. Here is some of the guidance with scriptures.

Instruct, teach, and be a godly example for children

  • Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.
  • Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
  • Titus 2:3-4 Older women similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor addicted to much wine, teaching what is right and good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children,
  • Ephesians 5:1 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];

Comfort Children, be compassionate towards them, and provide for them.

  • Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
  • Psalm 127:3 “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
    • Children are basically a gift from God. They are a reward from him.
  • Proverbs 31:15 She (the virtuous woman) riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
    • this is talking about her getting up early to see to the cooking of the food.
  • 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
    • children are most assuredly part of a man’s household.

Children are to be disciplined with love so that they will gain wisdom that results in righteousness and peace.

  • Proverbs 3:12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
  • Proverbs 13:24 He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,
    But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].
    • This does not mean beat. It means correct and teach by showing the correct way.
  • Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
  • Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; Yes, he will delight your soul.

Don’t Frustrate or discourage children; instead teach and instruct them in God’s ways.

  • Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
  • Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].

Leave your children an inheritance.

  • An inheritance does not necessarily mean that you leave them lots of money.
    • Leaving them with the memory of how you trained them to follow God is worth more than gold or silver.
  • Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.

Bring them up in the fear of the Lord by teaching them His Word.

  • Psalms 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to fear the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience].
  • Proverbs 1:1-8 The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction; To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, Righteousness, justice, and integrity; That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth, The wise will hear and increase their learning, And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth], To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation, And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection]. The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant [a]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not reject the teaching of your mother.
  • Matthew 19:14 But He said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
  • Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
  • Luke 2:41 And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast.
  • Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to Himself, saying [to the apostles], “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
    • Remember to frequently bring your children to Jesus.
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Understanding Our New Relationship with God

Our New Relationship with God

We now have peace with God.

  • Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
  • Romans 8:6-9 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
    • enmity means hostility
  • James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Right Standing with God.

  • Right standing is another way of saying Justified
  •  Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
  • Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

We are adopted into God’s Family

  • Romans 8:14-17  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
  • Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

We are now reconciled to God

  • Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
  • Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

We have been Redeemed and ransomed by God

  • Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
  • 1 Peter 1:18-19 Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

We are now near to God

  • Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
  • Ephesians 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

New Relationship with sin/flesh

Free from sin’s power.

  • 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  • John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Free from sin and death

  • Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
  • 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We are not obligated to sin or the flesh. Instead, we can have the fruit of the Spirit.

  •  You now don’t have to let sin rule over you.
  • Romans 6:11-12 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
  • Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
  • Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
  • Galatians 5:17-21 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
  • Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

You are free from Condemnation.

  • Condemnation
    • a reason for condemning
    • the state of being condemned
    • the act of judicially condemning
  • Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Our New Position

We have grace.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

We are called to be free and to serve.

  •  1 Corinthians 7:22-23 For he who was a slave when he was called in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, likewise he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price [a precious price paid by Christ]; do not become slaves to men [but to Christ].

We are marked by the Holy Spirit

  • Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
  • Ephesians 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Positioned in heavenly places

  • Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

We are set apart for God and called to be Saints

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified (set apart, made holy) in Christ Jesus, who are selected and called as saints (God’s people), together with all those who in every place call on and honor the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
  • Romans 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Transformed into God’s image.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

We have victory over death and eternal life

  • 1 Corinthians 15:55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
  • Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
  • Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the [a]archangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

We are forgiven.

  • 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  • Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Acts 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Practical Tips for Christian Living

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Practical Tips for Christian Living

Here are some links to practical Christian Living. This links with help you learn about various topics such as friends, enemies, and how to just generally live. More will be added to this section. If there is a topic that you would like me to add, leave it in the comments.

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Biblical Tips for Loving Your Enemies

There are times when we have to deal with people who are not friendly. Sometimes they are downright rude, hateful, mean, and/or evil. What does the Bible say about what to do in these situations? It has several things to say. Most of the things go against what the world would say.

  • Love them.
    • Matthew 5:44 ESV
      • But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
    • Matthew 5:43-48 ESV
      • “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? …
    • Luke 6:27 ESV
      • “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
  • Pray for them.
    • Matthew 5:44 ESV
      • But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
    • Luke 6:27-28 ESV / 286 helpful votes
      • “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
  • Forgive them.
    • Luke 23:34 ESV
      • And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
  • Be kind to them and help them when they need it.
    • Luke 6:27-28 ESV
      • “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
    • 1 Peter 3:9 ESV
      • Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
    • Proverbs 25:21-22 ESV
      • If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
    • Proverbs 20:22 ESV
      • Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
    • Romans 12:17-21 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
      • Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
  • Don’t rejoice in their downfall.
    • Proverbs 24:17-18 ESV
      • Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
    • Obadiah 1:12 ESV
      • But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.

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The True Traits of a Good Friend

Good Friends are hard to come by. How do you know if you have a good friend? How can you be a good friend? Here is something to help you know and remember what a good friend is and does.

Good Counsel: a good friend always gives good advice.

Offers help: a good friend is there to help you when you need it.

Offers encouragement: a good friend is there to give you encouragement when you need it.

Doesn’t envy: a good friend is happy for you. They don’t envy what you have.

Forgives one another: Everyone has a bad day now and then. Everyone makes mistakes. A friend forgives.

Rejoices with you when something good happens.

Is kind and gentle.

Enjoys peace together.

Never stops loving.

Does good for each other.

Now for some scriptures.

  • Good Counsel
    • Proverbs 15:22 ESV
      • Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
    • Proverbs 11:14 ESV
      • Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
    • Proverbs 12:15 ESV
      • The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
    • Proverbs 24:6 ESV
      • For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
    • Proverbs 20:18 ESV
      • Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
    • Proverbs 13:10 ESV
      • By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
    • Proverbs 19:20 ESV
      • Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future
    • Proverbs 27:9 ESV
      • Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
  • Offers help
    • Philippians 2:4 ESV
      • Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
    • Hebrews 13:16 ESV
      • Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
    • Galatians 6:2 ESV
      • Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
    • Proverbs 19:17 ESV
      • Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
    • Luke 6:38 ESV
      • Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
    • Acts 20:35 ESV
      • In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
    • James 2:14-17 ESV
      • What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
  • Offers encouragement
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
      • Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
    • Hebrews 10:25 ESV
      • Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
    • Hebrews 10:24 ESV
      • And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
  • Doesn’t envy
    • Proverbs 14:30 ESV
      • A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
    • 1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV
      • Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
    • James 3:16 ESV
      • For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
    • Galatians 5:19-21 ESV
      • Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
    • 1 Corinthians 3:3 ESV
      • For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
    • Galatians 5:26 ESV
      • Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
  • Forgives
    • Ephesians 4:32 ESV
      • Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
    • Mark 11:25 ESV
      • And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
    • 1 John 1:9 ESV
      • If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
    • Matthew 6:15 ESV
      • But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
    • Colossians 3:13 ESV
      • Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
  • Rejoices
    • 1 Corinthians 12:26 ESV
      • If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
    • Romans 12:15 ESV
      • Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
  • Is kind and gentle
    • Ephesians 4:32 ESV
      • Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
    • Galatians 5:22-23
      • But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
    • Titus 3:2 ESV
      • To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
    • Ephesians 4:2 ESV
      • With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
  • Enjoys peace
    • Romans 12:18 ESV
      • If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
    • Psalm 34:14 ESV
      • Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
    • Hebrews 12:14 ESV
      • Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
    • Matthew 5:9 ESV
      • “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
  • Never stops loving
    • John 13:34 KJV
      • A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
    • 1 Peter 1:22 ESV
      • Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
    • John 13:35 ESV
      • By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
    • 1 John 4:7 ESV
      • Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
  • Does good for each other
    • Galatians 6:10 ESV
      • So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
    • 1 Peter 4:9 ESV
      • Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
    • Luke 6:35 ESV
      • But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

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