Rule of Thought: Part 3

Rule #1. When the horse dies dismount.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Rule #2. The Love of God comes first in all things.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have LOVE for one another.

A. You can’t make disciples if you are not first willing to be a disciple.

Luke 19:10 …the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

B. We should learn to see people like God sees them.

Psalm 92:6-7 A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this. When the wicked spring up like grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish, It is that they may be destroyed forever.

This world is the closest thing to Heaven they will ever know.

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Rule #3. Speak the Truth, but always do it with the love of the Lord.

Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

A. Will my words build up or tear down?

1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

B. Will my actions demonstrate the love of God, or a different spirit?

Luke 9:54-55 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said; You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.

C. Is my communication helping them, or just helping me?

Romans 15:1-2 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

D. Will my tone and content build unity, or create strife and division.

Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.”

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