Rule of Thought: Part 4

Rules of Ministry

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Rule #4. If you must judge, judge according to God’s Grace.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

A. Jesus always made a way for the good in people to come out.

Luke 5:17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

B. Don’t be so quick to put people into the enemy category.

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

C. We are to judge, with our own judgment in mind.

Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

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Rule #5. Choose forgiveness quickly, so that frustration has no place of entrance.

Matthew 18:35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.

A. Un-forgiveness is a seed that grows a “root of bitterness.”

Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

B. Choosing not to forgive will cause a disconnect.

Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Rule # 6. God may or may not change my circumstances, but He can always change me.

2 Timothy 3:12 …all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

A. God will use our adversity to reveal more about Himself.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

B. God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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