Biblical Principles Guiding Issues of Diversity
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Introduction
Introduction
Biblical Principles Guiding Issues of Diversity
Biblical Principles Guiding Issues of Diversity
Foundation: Authority of Scripture
Foundation: Authority of Scripture
From, The Summary of Wesleyan Beliefs:
We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments form the entirety of Holy Scripture. They are the inspired and infallibly written Word of God. In their original form, they are completely without any errors and constitute our highest authority. In the process by which these books have come to us no important teaching has been corrupted. Absolutely everything we need to know to become a Christian is found in these pages. If a teaching isn’t found in the Bible or can’t be proven from the Bible, nobody should have to accept it as a doctrine necessary for salvation. Both the Old and New Testaments point to Christ as the source of eternal life and the only Mediator between God and human beings. What the Scriptures require of us, the Holy Spirit makes possible.
Vision for the Role of Faculty and Leaders
Vision for the Role of Faculty and Leaders
· To proclaim and model a Biblical approach, including Biblical terminology and definitions in response to issues of difference, injustice, oppression and victimization and as they may result in hurting or broken relationships in our university and culture, the foundation of which is the gospel where Jesus and the cross are essential to the solution.
· To encourage critical thinking in examining worldviews, ideas, theories, data and philosophies promoted to address issues of difference, injustice, oppression and victimization in light of the authority of the word of God, and the person of Jesus Christ that the truth might be known that sets people free.
· To use tools such as Wesley’s quadrilateral to guide conversations regarding the discerning of God’s will in responding to issues of difference, injustice, oppression and victimization including looking first to the proper interpretation of God’s word as the foremost authority, followed by reason, tradition and experience to inform our pursuit of understanding revelation.
· To recognize and seek to respond effectively to a larger culture that is currently driven by philosophies that frequently define sin (right and wrong), love, truth and justice in ways that differ from the Bible. Therefore, we determine to define the problems, issues and solutions from a Biblical perspective in order to be the light and salt Jesus calls us to be, recognizing that love, justice, and truth are inseparable in the nature of God and that our response must reflect a truly Biblical understanding of each.
Overarching Guiding Biblical Principles
Overarching Guiding Biblical Principles
Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity
· Christians are first and foremost unified as a part of the body of Christ, the church through their faith. Unity is found in seeking to live as the church as described here from A Summary of Wesleyan beliefs: “We believe that the Christian Church is made up of all who believe in Jesus Christ, its founder and only Head. Its members have renounced the world, the flesh and the devil, and have dedicated themselves to continue the work Christ assigned to His church until He returns. It must preach the pure Word of God, properly administer the sacraments according to Christ’s instructions, and live in obedience to all that Christ commands”.
· Christians are called to be one in Christ, even as He and the Father are one (John 17:11) We are called to have unity in our diversity through Christ (Colossians 3:11). Not diversity as the world defines it or for its own sake. Not blind to differences, but celebrating God’s intended design and unified in exalting Jesus, submitting to His Lordship and proclaiming the gospel as the way all are saved from sin (Acts 4:12), including the sin of racism or the diminishing of the value and personhood of anyone whom he has made in His image (1 Peter 2:17; Philippians 2:3; James 2:19).
· The primary source of identity for Christians is as the children of God and brothers and sisters in the family of God and our shared identity in Christ, superseding other identities, backgrounds, roles, ideas or heritages. (Colossians 3:11; 2nd Corinthians 5:16-17).
· The Bible proclaims that people are of one human race, created male and female in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and Christians are equal and united by the blood of one man, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died and paid for the sins of all.
· The source of injustice, abuse, oppression, and dysfunctional relationships starts as an outworking of individual sinful and deceived human hearts (Matthew 5:18-19; Mark 7:19-21; Luke 6:45). We should assess and respond to sin as it affects individuals (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-4), culture (beliefs, attitudes, unspoken rules of relationships in any setting and especially the church) (Galatians 2:11; 1st Timothy 1:3; 2nd Peter; 2:1; Colossians 2:4), and systems (codified policy, laws, and rules) in considering issues oppression or abuse of others (Daniel 3; Matthew 23:4). “A Christian view of systemic injustice is any system that either requires or encourages those within the system to break the moral laws of God revealed for His creatures flourishing” (Williams, 2020, p. 79)
· Christians should show no partiality to others based on ethnicity, skin color, sex, status, or income and should repent of any pride or envy that may lead us to do so (Philippians 2:3; James 2:1-3; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; 1st Timothy 5:21).
· Christians, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, are called to model and create a different overarching family culture that reflects Christ’s one body with many members on earth, serving one another, speaking the truth in love to one another and building each other up (1 Corinthians 12:12-31; 1st Thessalonians 5:11; 2nd Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:15; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13; 1st Peter 3:8).
Love and Reconciliation
Love and Reconciliation
· Christians recognize and proclaim that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ and that we are called to continually love each other, forgive as we are forgiven, and walk in grace with each other as we grow in relationship and holiness (Romans 8:1-3; Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:12-14; Luke 17:4). We love and forgive others regardless of their sin because God in Christ first loved us even while we were his enemies and in rebellion against him.
· Reconciliation is first about our need to be reconciled to God because all of human sin is against Him. Only when we are reconciled to God can we be reconciled to one another. Reconciliation with each other is found as we are adopted as His sons and daughters equally into a new family regardless of our sex, ethnicity, background or other defining characteristics. Because we are all equal at the foot of the cross, payment for all sin already happened on the cross and our identity is first as adopted children of God and brothers and sisters in His family. Reconciliation is therefore a work already completed to which we enter in by faith. We proclaim God’s plan for reconciliation and unity and invite others to enter into it. The good news is for every tribe, tongue and nation whom we invite regardless of differences or distinctions. Grace and forgiveness are the only way to reconciliation.
· Christians recognize that forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same. Forgiveness may be offered but not received or an offending party may not acknowledge or repent of sin to make reconciliation or full reconciliation possible. Payment for sin took place on the cross, God offers us forgiveness and grace and the means for reconciliation is complete but we must respond with repentance, receive the gift, and move back into relationship with Him for it to be complete. God calls Christians to forgive everyone and walk in love but reconciliation of relationship depends also on the other.
· Christians are called to be ambassadors of the message of reconciliation first to God and then to each other through Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:19-21). We are ambassadors for Christ, calling people to a new way of life in Christ and not according to the world (Romans 7:6; 2nd Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 1:10).
· Individually and as His body, Jesus tells believers how to deal with offenses we may cause each other in the church regardless of its source. First, to go to our brother and tell him if he has sinned against us, then by bringing one or more reliable witnesses if needed to address sin or finally to the church for accountability and discipline. Practicing this model is vital to healthy Christian community (Matthew 18:5-17).
· Christianity calls people to unity through their shared identity as sinners and redeemed saints seen as equals in the family of God.
· Christians believe that all people should be treated with dignity and respect as image bearers of God and that sin and evil are not associated with specific skin color or sex and that acknowledgement of sin, humility, personal responsibility, love and forgiveness are the foundations of reconciliation.
· Christians believe that God loves those of all social status, power and authority and calls them to Himself and repentance. God is no respecter of persons and Christians are not to show favoritism or covet.
· All Christians are called to love even their enemies and pray for those who persecute the even as they speak the truth or confront acts of injustice and are to leave vengeance with the Lord (Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:9-21)
· Christians are called to love their neighbors and respond with compassion, care and support for those who are suffering regardless of their differences (Luke 10:25-37). All Christians are called to show empathy to each other, weep with those who weep and show compassion to themselves and others who are hurting, being quick to listen and slow to speak (Romans 12:9-21; James 1:19). All Christians are also called to care deeply about the poor, widows, orphans, the sick, the imprisoned and oppressed as God does.
Truth and Justice
Truth and Justice
· Christians are called to uphold the truth as God defines it and avoid false teaching and misrepresentations of the truth in dealing with all issues, following what God has revealed in His word and the Gospel (1 John 4:1; 2nd Peter 2;1; 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15; Jude 1:4; Matthew 7:15; 2nd Peter 2:1-3; Colossians 2:8; Galatians 1:6-9; Romans 16:17-18; Ephesians 4:14; Matthew 24:4-11).
· Justice is rooted in and an expression of God’s holiness and righteousness. He is the lawgiver and foundation of what is right, just, fair and good. Therefore, justice is being in alignment with the standard for morality and goodness that is based in God’s character and law revealed in scripture. To live justly / righteously is primarily a moral issue that must be addressed inwardly with heart change. Justice and truth are interconnected and inseparable. Therefore, justice and righteousness are overlapping concepts where Biblical terminology is often interchangeable. Justice includes living righteously and rightly (the ten commandments, greatest commandments) caring for and supporting the poor and disenfranchised, treating others generously and fairly with equal value and opportunities for all (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 56:8; Psalm 72:12-14; Psalm 85:10; Psalm 97:1-2; Psalm 103:6; Proverbs 8:20; Exodus 31:18; Romans 2:14-15; Micah 6:8; James 2:8; Revelation 20:11-13, 15).
· Legal justice is treating people according to God’s standards and with equal accountability under the law of God. A biblical view of justice is one where all people are treated fairly and judgments are based on evidence of wrongdoing, breaking of law rooted in God’s law, the honest and impartial testimony of multiple reliable witnesses and the reality that all are accountable to God who is sovereign and will execute ultimate judgment. Legal justice is to be executed impartially according to facts, evidence of wrongdoing, honest testimony, without bribes and in accordance with the nature of the crime. God executed justice on the cross, will execute ultimate justice while also in His sovereignty using injustice to accomplish his purposes on earth now (the cross). (Exodus 23:1-3; Deuteronomy 19:15; Deuteronomy 17:6; Numbers 35:30; Proverbs 12:17; Proverbs 19:28; Leviticus 19:15; Ezekiel 18: 1-20; Amos 5:15; Acts 17:31; 2nd Corinthians 5:9-10).
· Christians are called to recognize their Biblical individual responsibility and accountability before God for how to live with and respond to the hurts of others and those we also sustain in a fallen world, recognizing that full redemption is yet to come. Although fully acknowledging the reality of injustice and victimization and the call to alleviate suffering and correct injustice in the world, we believe that God sovereignly works all thinks together for good as we seek first the kingdom of God and not the kingdoms of this world recognizing that this world is not our final home. (Romans 14:10-12; Philippians 2:10; Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:18-25).
Sex and Sexuality
Sex and Sexuality
· From, The Summary of Wesleyan Beliefs: “We believe that every person is created in the image of God and that human sexuality reflects that image in terms of intimate love, communication, fellowship, subordination of the self to the larger whole, and fulfillment. The Bible uses the marriage relationship as the supreme metaphor for His relationship with His covenant people, one God with one people. God intends for human sexuality to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong relationship between one man and one woman within the framework of marriage. This is the only relationship which is divinely designed for the birth and rearing of children and is a covenant union made in the sight of God, taking priority over every other human relationship”.
· God’s design for sexuality and desire is beautiful and good. The design of male and female and marriage as pictured in the Bible is God’s design, stamped in our bodies and relationships as an illustration of His plan for eternity to make us His bride. Loving us first and leaving heaven to come and sacrifice himself, call us to himself and make us a holy, blameless and perfect bride to live forever in intimacy and oneness with Him.
· The purpose of Biblical sexuality is to participate in divine love. God designed sexual contact and intercourse for marriage between one man and one woman for life to maximize joy, pleasure, safety and procreation and to create a secure and loving environment for children as they experience God’s character expressed in male and female (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19: 4-9; Genesis 2:20-25; Genesis 1:27-28). God’s vision for sexuality calls for respect and mutual submission between men and women, creation of a loving and permanent environment for children, meeting of deepest needs for connection and calling us to generous, sacrificial and unselfish love in caring for another different than our self.
· God created people with two sexes, male and female, as a complimentary reflection of His full image and called it exceedingly good (Genesis 1:27 and 31). Gender distinctions are a gift from God to be celebrated as demonstrations of God’s image and a blessing for us to enjoy.
· Jesus pointed to the garden of Eden in describing the design of sexuality and responding to its brokenness as seen in divorce stating, “In the beginning it was not so”, reinforcing the beauty of man leaving and cleaving to his wife resulting in oneness symbolic of the oneness of God.
· Jesus led with love in responding to those who were sexually broken and engaged in relationships with prostitutes, those caught in adultery, and those with histories of multiple partners. As seen in 1st Corinthians 6, the Bible is also clear that salvation is for the sexually broken and that among the early believers were those previously living in sexual sin (sexually immoral and those who engaged in homosexual behavior). Paul states, “and that is what some of you were, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1st Corinthians, 6:11).
· Christians who are single are called to celibacy as a holy calling and are to be celebrated and equally honored, fully included and supported in the body of Christ (1st Corinthians 7:32-38; Matthew 19:11-13).
· Brokenness in relationships, sexuality and desires affects all people and Christians (both married and single) as a result of the fall and human rebellion against God. Jesus described sexual brokenness and sin as being an issue of the heart, stating that even sexual thoughts and lust were sin and that sins such as sexual immorality and adultery come from the heart (Mathew 5:19)
· The Christian view of sexuality seeks to worship God first and submit ourselves and bodies as living sacrifices, pleasing unto God (Romans, 12) and to consider the members of our bodies as instruments for His glory.
· The Bible calls all Christians regardless of history or marital status to abstain from sexual immorality in all its forms and grow in holiness and conformity to God’s design (Acts 15:20; Acts 21:25; Romans 13:13; 1st Corinthians 6:12-18; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5). The church should be a place of prayer, confession, healing, accountability and support for all who sincerely seek to follow Jesus and desire to grow in holiness regardless of the area of struggle with sexuality, identity or sin.
· Christians are called to love, show the love of Christ and share the good news of salvation and payment for sin to all, including those struggling with sexual sin and brokenness of any kind or degree because Christians recognize that outside of Christ all are dead in their sins and only Christ can make them alive again and empower them for holy living.
Scriptural Citations
Scriptural Citations
The Compilation of Scripture passages contains the full text of all the Scripture passages cited in the Study Guide.
Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”
“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Love and Reconciliation
Love and Reconciliation
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
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.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. “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? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 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.
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
Truth and Justice
Truth and Justice
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.
“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
“If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die. “If a man is righteous and does what is just and right— if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord God. “If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, who does any of these things (though he himself did none of these things), who even eats upon the mountains, defiles his neighbor’s wife, oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination, lends at interest, and takes profit; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself. “Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live. As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity. “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Sex and Sexuality
Sex and Sexuality
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.