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CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE POSTAL COURSE No. 45 |
HOW WE THINK OF OTHER PEOPLE IS IMPORTANT TO GOD
Reading : James 2
When Jesus was one day tested by a doctor of Jewish law on which was the greatest commandment he answered that it was Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbour as yourself. To explain what he meant by € neighbour € he then told the parable of the Good Samaritan. You can find this in Luke chapter 10 verses 25 to 37.
We will come back to this part of Jesus € teaching in our next lesson but it has to be the starting point for this lesson as well because if we are using Christian love in our relationships with other people, even strangers (as the Good Samaritan did), we will find that the other instructions given to us by Jesus and the apostles are easier to understand and follow.
It is very easy to be nice to the rich and powerful but to look down on and despise those who are weak, poor or disabled. James the brother of Jesus says that this is having respect of persons and warns us against this way of thinking. James 2 verses 1 to 9.
There is much to think about in these words and they are especially important in countries and communities where there is a mixture of different races, tribes or colours of people.
The harsh and brutal quarrels in recent years in many parts of the world have shown that to describe others as being inferior, dishonest or savages seems a natural part of human thinking.
The Bible however says the opposite, that such thoughts and attitudes have no place in the hearts and minds of those who would be disciples of Jesus.
Paul the apostle of Jesus lived at a time when slavery was an accepted part of the Roman Empire. There is much guidance and instruction in the letters of Paul concerning the relationships between those masters and slaves who had become followers of Jesus.
Look at his letter to the churches in Galatia chapter 3 verses 26 to 29. Here Paul says clearly that disciples of Jesus are all equal in the sight of God. There is no race difference, no difference between men and women disciples, between skin colour or social position.
When we talk to the people we live or work with it is so easy to use harsh and critical words that wound or discourage others. James wrote about this also. Look at chapter 3 of his letter and verses 5 to 11. Hard words once spoken cannot be taken back and, as we all differ in our personalities, it is those with a quick temper who need to be most careful. God through his angels is aware of the things we say.
The use of judgement is important to us when it is between good and bad or right and wrong but when we apply that same judgement to other people we need to be much more careful. Jesus gives us some valuable advice about this and it is recorded in Matthew chapter 7 verses 1 to 5. From these words, you will probably make up your mind never to judge another person but it is not easy to stick to this resolve. Jesus backs up his instructions with a small parable. The key to understanding his words is the statement about € Beholding the mote (a tiny speck of dust) in our brother € s eye € . This is the instant criticism of other people, which ignores our own failings in the sight of God.
There are times when we do need to use careful judgement and Jesus gives an example of these in Matthew chapter 7 verses 15 and 16. This advice was certainly valuable in the early years of the Christian church when there were many false teachers who even claimed to be Christ. It is equally important today when there are so many churches and so many teachers. The crucial test is Ye shall know them by their fruits. What these men and perhaps women do in their lives is more revealing than what they preach.
Once Jesus had chosen his disciples he started to teach them how to do the things that would be pleasing to God and much of this teaching is contained in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7. Let us just look together at chapter 5 and read from verse 21. Jesus quotes from the Jewish € Law of Moses € , which dates from the time when the nation escaped from slavery in the land of Egypt. Here he explains that where the old law controlled the actions of the Jews, his new law would go further and control their thoughts and emotions as well. He speaks about anger, abusive language and lustful thoughts. He speaks about the breakdown in marriages that often happens as the result of sexual lust for others outside the marriage.
In verse 33, Jesus warns about making unwise oaths. By this, he means the words that people use to impress others on their truthfulness or sincerity. Unfortunately, they choose to use words that are sacred to God and this he has forbidden. Even when we only think the words in our minds it is important that we always remember his instruction in Exodus chapter 20 verse 7. As a general rule Jesus says € Swear not at all € Matthew chapter 5 verse 34. It is much safer if we avoid the use of oaths at any time and that includes a court of law if we ever find ourselves in such a place. Here provision is usually made for followers of Jesus to € Affirm € before giving evidence. The use of swearing as a way of describing what we think of others has already been dealt with by Jesus in his instruction to be careful what we say verse 22.In verse 44, the instruction to love our neighbours is taken several steps further. Jesus now tells us to love our enemies! To bless those who curse us and to do good to those who hate us! Even to pray for those people who do us harm. It will never be easy to follow these instructions for our natural reaction is to do the opposite. It is clear however that these are all examples given by Jesus, of the way we think about others and this is important to God.
Perhaps the most helpful guide is to see how Jesus reacted to the cruelty of the men who beat him and nailed him to the cross. His words were written down by Luke in chapter 23 verses 33 and 34. If Jesus could forgive in the midst of his pain and suffering then those of us who wish to be his disciples must learn to follow his wonderful example.
Pride and arrogance have no place before God, in our actions but more importantly in our hearts and minds.
As a way of ending this lesson let us look together at some words of Isaiah in chapter 66 of his prophecy, verses 1 and 2. They give us a clue to those things God is seeking from us and those human characteristics that are most pleasing to him.