Live Right

 

“Live Right”

Philippians 4:9 

SUBJECT: ANXIETY

THEME: Part of the Secret to Victory Over Anxiety is Right Living, coupled with the “God of peace” to guide us and the “Peace of God” to shield us emotionally and intellectually through periods of worry.                              

RELEVANCE: Often, we forfeit the joy of the Lord through worries that plague our minds and hearts. Fears, worries, uncertainties, and even people can literally rob us of our joy, leaving us anxious.

INTRODUCTION:

What does the Bible says about dealing with anxiety, and fears that assume the worst things may and can happen? What strategies enable us to face life’s stress? Really the opposite of anxiety is “peace.” God’s brand of peace overcomes worry. Let’s focus more on this idea.

The great apostle yearned for the “God of peace” to dwell with these believers. He wanted God’s inner tranquility—encompassing peace with God and internal peace of mind—to characterize these believers. That is exactly what God wants for you as a believer instead of anxiety!

More importantly, the Lord wants us to have a heart that is joyful and uninfluenced by the many uncertainties life will throw at us as we maintain trust in Him. We can have great peace when we Pray, Think, and Live right, but we must rely on the “God of Peace” to give us the “peace of God” as we meet these conditions.

MESSAGE:

RIGHT LIVING; PEACE THROUGH A CORRECT LIFESTYLE.  (Phil. 4:9)

Philippians 4:9 says, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you”. Paul urges believers to put into practice the teachings they have received and witnessed in his life, as a path to experiencing God’s peace.  

A. THE LINK BETWEEN PERCEPTION AND PRACTICE.

We cannot separate outward action and inward attitude. Sin always results in unrest (unless the conscience is seared), and purity ought to result in peace. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isa 32:17). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17). Right living is a necessary condition for experiencing the peace of God. To be clear, living in alignment with God’s will is not merely a path to peace, but is its very work, a predictable outcome of peace because of practicing righteousness.

When we turn away from sin towards God through repentance, the inner turmoil caused by guilt and a conscience troubled by misconduct is removed. The Holy Spirit enables us to overcome negative patterns and rest in Christ’s work, which naturally produces inner quietness and peace. The fundamental nature of God’s kingdom is not about dietary restrictions or outward rituals, but rather about a transformed inner life characterized by being right with God, experiencing peace, and finding joy through the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17, For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  

B. THE BLESSINGS OF A GREAT EXAMPLE!

A great spiritual example inspires positive godly change by establishing clear behavioral standards, fostering trust and respect, boosting motivation and productivity, and creating a positive and unified church culture. The encouragement to follow committed leadership is restated multiple times in the NT.

Phil 4:9, Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

1 Cor 4:16, Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Phil 3:17, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Col 2:6, As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

1 Thess 4:1, Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Great spiritual examples show commitment to values, encourage collaboration, bridge the gap between theory and practice in instructions, and demonstrate self-discipline and holy resilience. 

Great Leaders Provide Great Examples:

• They Foster Trust and Respect: Leaders who set a positive example earn the trust and respect of the people, making people more likely to follow their lead and feel invested in common goals. 
• They Motivate and Inspire: Positive role models inspire others to embrace passion, dedication, and similar positive behaviors, leading to higher motivation and engagement. 

Certainly, we are challenged to be good example of peace for the benefit of other Christians and to influence others to trust Christ completely.

C.  THE HEARING AND OBEYING OF GOD AND HIS WORD.

Paul balances four activities: “learned and received” and “heard and seen.” It is one thing to learn a truth, but quite another to receive it inwardly and make it a part of our inner man (see 1 Thess 2:13). Facts in the head are not enough; we must also have truths in the heart.

By internalizing and accepting truth we embark upon lasting personal change. Such transformation involves a shift in our core beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, this is a “renewing of the mind” (Rom. 12:1-2). Beloved, we have great need to humble ourselves and come into connection with the power God to fully realize his truth in us and through us. 

In Paul’s ministry, he not only taught the Word but also lived it so that His listeners could see the truth in his life. Paul’s experience ought to be our experience. We must learn the Word, receive it, hear it, and do it. “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

D. THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR INVOLVEMENT AND COLLABORATION WITH GOD.

Again Philippians 4:9 says, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you”.

Reflect on this perspective of a cooperative relationship between divine action and human effort. I am saying that while each believer must fulfill their responsibilities and strive for God-given goals, God will provide support, wisdom, and power. This is especially true when we demonstrate our commitment through faith and obedience to His will. In this respect believing in Him and following His guidance, with the understanding that true effectiveness comes from being ‘attached to God’ and relying on His strength rather than our own. 

Each of us must invest ourselves in maturation to realize greater freedom and agility in the Lord. God does not operate alone in our lives; he wants our cooperation and effort. It is true that the good out of our experiences are His productions, but he desires that we take the journey with Him. It is not a solo act on God’s part or ours, but an interactivity between the divine and human. This is what God intended in the very beginning of the creation of mankind.

In John 15:5, Jesus echoes: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”. This vine and branches metaphor illustrates that believers must remain connected to Christ to bear spiritual fruit, as we are powerless to do anything significant apart from Him.

Philippians 4:19, reads, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. God promises He will provide for our needs from his plentiful, magnificent storehouse, through Jesus Christ. God will do His part!

E.  THE TEST OF OUR WALK WITH THE LORD.

“The peace of God” is one test of whether we are in the purpose of God. Again, we want the peace Christ gives to protect us like a referee in our thoughts and emotions. If we are walking with the Lord, then the peace of God and the God of peace exercises influence over our core ideas. Whenever we disobey, we lose that peace and we usually come to realize we have done something wrong.  

The peace of God should act as an umpire in our hearts. If in anything we are in doubt, we should ask ourselves the questions: “Does it make for peace?” or “Would I have peace in my heart if I went ahead and did it?”

This verse is especially helpful when seeking guidance from the Lord. If the Lord really wants you to embark upon a certain course of action, He will most assuredly give you peace about it. If you do not have that peace, then you should not proceed. As has been said: “Darkness about going is light about staying.”^[a]

And even though Abraham (Gen. 22) did not feel good about offering up his son, Isaac, as a burnt sacrifice, he headed to Mt. Moriah anyway trusting guidance God had clearly given over his personal feeling or questions. God’s direction made the call!

CONCLUSION:

Right praying, right thinking, and right living: these are the conditions for solid peace and victory over worry. There is no middle ground. Either we yield heart and mind to the Spirit of God and practice right praying, thinking, and living; or we yield to the flesh and find ourselves torn apart by worry. Again, worrying is sin! We have the peace of God to guard us and the God of peace to guide us!

Again, many are motivated to protect their ‘peace,’ and they navigate through circumstances and conditions while making decisions to protect their own brand of ‘peace.’ Usually such pursuits demand avoiding drama, disorder, confusion, and chaos generated by anyone else. This vein of activity also saves money, time, and energy. They consciously select an external environment occupied with quietness, tranquility, predictability, calmness, and some boredom which is admirable in many regards. But, in contrast, we can be thankful that God’s brand of “peace” provides internal protection for us! His “peace” keeps us…garrison about us and protect us like a soldier from excessive anxiety regardless of the external conditions. Certainly, we must make correct decisions also, but we wisely place yourself in His capable hands and we are free of anxiety.

Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. We yearn for our spoken words, and internal thoughts to be pleasing and acceptable to our Lord. So, we fully embrace the connection between our inner thoughts and outward expressions. We seek alignment between our external speech and internal reflections and want harmony with God’s will and character. There is an inner longing for an entire life of integrity, where thoughts and words are rooted in God’s eternal truth, bringing honor to the Lord as our strength-giving constant Rock and Redeemer. Beloved, this is our prayer to our Father.  

Lastly, please note Romans 15:33, “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” In this concluding blessing, the Apostle Paul prays for the “God of peace” to be with these believers. He desires God’s tranquility, unifying presence, encompassing peace with God, internal peace of mind, and unity among believers. Now read again Philippians 4:9 which states, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you”. This “God of Peace” is who I want for all believers as well instead of anxiety. Life with our Lord is so much better for us all regardless of the circumstances. One key to success over anxiety is accurate living, joined with the “God of peace” to direct us and the “peace of God” to shield us emotionally and intellectually through those periods we are inclined to worry.

---

^[a] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 2011.

Laying Aside Malice

1 PETER 2:1-2

SUBJECT: GROWTH THROUGH PERSEVERANCE

THEME: because God is always in control and our hope is in Christ, we are admonished to never despair or backslide due to difficult and unfair circumstances. We should rather strive to grow spiritually and persevere in practical righteousness. We must lay aside wrong attitudes because they hinder our spiritual appetite and growth.

INTRODUCTION: How should I conduct myself when life seems to fall apart?  What does God expect of us when things are unkind, unfair, and filled with unwanted pressures? 1 Peter 1:6-7, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Pursuing the will of God despite our pressures is God’s answer, but how do we do that?

1) There is a tendency to quite living for God resorting to the world’s way of handling hurts, troubles, and unfair treatments. Anger, revenge, backbiting, and resentment are the usual forms in which we vent our frustrations towards people. Backsliding is what happens to our fellowship with the Lord. When we are NOT growing as Christians, we are actually straying away, weakening, and falling behind.  Harboring wrong attitudes can significantly hinder our spiritual progress. In such times we need to refocus ourselves and adjust our perspective to live more completely up to God’s expectations in the realm of our emotional life.

2)  Instead of becoming cold towards God in our trials, we must maintain a correct attitude and spirit toward Him and others. Sometimes it is very easy to put on a smile and go through the motions, but to be real in our spirit, attitude, and heart is a different matter. Trials can be real opportunities to grow spiritually but we will have to be especially attentive to the purpose of living for God during these hard times.

When you come to the point of quitting draw on God’s strength, you’ll build endurance in your life.

MESSAGE: 

STRIVE TO GROW IN THE LORD BY LAYING ASIDE HARMFUL ATTITUDES  1Pet. 2:1

There is a great temptation to take on non-Christian attitudes and to assume a hostile spirit when difficulties come our way.  Sometimes extreme adjustments, out of the ordinary pressures, and unfamiliar challenges can generate negative energies that will eventuate into hostility, irritability, and shortness of patience with others. In such times the child of God must resist the temptation to revert back to the old sin nature and actually take off the “Old Man.”

     A.  WE MUST LAY ASIDE ALL MALICE “Wherefore laying aside all malice,”    

          1. Remember What You Have in Christ. “Wherefore” reaches back to the last chapter to continue a thought and to further substantiate an ongoing argument. 

               i) Remember Your Great Salvation.

Peter has admonished these Believers to Remember Their Salvation (2-3), their Hope (vs 3) and Security (vs 5) in Christ, their Inheritance (vs 4) that is being kept for them and they are being kept for that inheritance.  

              ii) Remember Your Godly Separation.

Peter has challenged them to live Holy (vs 14-17) in their corrupt world and to govern themselves with great reverence for God. Peter now continues by encouraging them to lay aside some things. This is practical righteousness, therefore prepare for instruction when you see the word “wherefore” in Scripture.

APPLICATION: God has a bases for this exhortation; therefore, we are obligated to take heed to every bit of council God gives us. We are admonished to live for the Lord since we are saved, regardless of our conditions or circumstances.  If God said it, we should obey him.

         2. Take Off the Wrong Attitude of Malice. “Laying aside all Malice” The allusion is to take off clothing items.

              i) “Lay aside” means to ‘stripe off’, much like you would take off a dirty or sweaty shirt. It means that we should cleanse ourselves of anything that defiles. We must cast off these things entirely; we are not to practice them any longer.

Accordingly, the garments of “malice” must be stripped off forever!  Our Spiritual hygiene is substandard when our attitude is dirtied by malice, and we need to cleanse it away. What does malice mean? Col. 3:8, But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.    

            ii)    External Malice: (Actions) Wicked Actions of All Kinds and All Forms of Evil. It is a word that accompanies all vices of people. The Greek word for malice includes evil of all kinds. This is External Malice! See the notes at Rom 1:29. Compare Acts 8:22, where it is rendered wickedness, and 1 Cor 5:8; 14:20; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8.

Rom 1:29-30, Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents

Titus 3:3, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

            iii) Internal Malice: (Attitude) Deep Seated Feelings Against a Person; Lasting Hatred; Intense and Long-Lasting Bitterness Against a Person.

QUOTE: The word "malice" we commonly apply now to a particular kind of evil, denoting extreme enmity of heart, ill-will, a disposition to injure others without cause, from mere personal gratification, or from a spirit of revenge—Webster.  It means wishing that something bad will happen to a person. This is Internal Malice!

                 a) Malice Inflames the Person to Do Mischief to Others.

                 b) Malice Inflames the Heart to Design Mischief Toward Others.

                 c) Malice Inflames the Heart to Delight in the Mischief That Befalls Others.

APPLICATION: The Child of God must lay aside ALL Malice.  Every wicked deed is to be taken off like clothing and every wicked desire is to be cleansed away because it defiles the Believer. We are to be unclothed of External wickedness and cleansed of Internal Wickedness. Peel it off like you peel a banana, and we are to clean it out like greasy pot. Romans 13:12, The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

ILLUSTRATION: George Washington Carver was refused admission at a university because he was black. Years later, when someone asked him the name of the university, he replied, “Never mind.  That doesn’t matter now.”  He harbored no malice.

 CONCLUSION: How does God expect me to conduct myself in troubled times? We must lay aside wrong attitudes of the heart because they hinder our spiritual appetite and growth. Let Us Lay Aside Wrong Attitudes!

1. God expects us to take off some things. He expects us to grow spiritually even in hard and unfair situations. 1 Peter 2:1-2, Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, [2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2. There is a tendency to quite living for God and resort to the world’s way of handling hurts, troubles, and unfair treatments. But we no longer allow anger, revenge, backbiting, and resentment to prompt us to vent our frustrations. We do not have to relinquish our fellowship with the Lord. We must not stray away falling behind harboring wrong attitudes that hinder our spiritual progress. In such times we can refocus and adjust our perspective to live more completely up to God’s expectations choosing the power of the Spirit and refusing to be controlled by our emotions!  

Asking for Supernatural Help

 

MATTHEW 7:7-12

 

THEME:  When we reject a fake righteousness, it will enable us to reject a false system of judgment also.

RELEVANCE:  The Lord wants us to exercise wise judgment regarding ourselves, other people, and the Lord himself.

INTRODUCTION: “They have a right to censure that have a heart to help.” -- William Penn

1. This is a final illustration of Pharisee’s practices pertaining to judging. The Pharisees were then judging Christ and finding Him to be inadequate. He was not offering the kind of kingdom they anticipated or asking for the kind of righteousness they were exhibiting. So, they rejected Him. Jesus therefore warned them against hypocritical judging.

2. The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of exercising a false judgment about themselves, other people, and even the Lord. Their false righteousness helped to encourage this false judgment. This explains why our Lord closed this important sermon with a discussion of judgment. In it He discussed four different aspects of judgment: discernment, dynamics, discretion, and discipline.

MESSAGE: 

I.               Dynamics: Ask God for the Ability to Judge Righteously (Matt. 7:7-12).

God gives us the dynamic resources we need to live and treat people fairly and wisely. Why did our Lord discuss prayer at this point in His message? These verses seem to be an interruption, but they are not. You and I are human and fallible; we make mistakes. Only God can judge perfectly. Therefore, we must pray and seek His wisdom and direction. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5).

Young King Solomon knew that he lacked the needed wisdom to judge Israel, so he prayed to God; and the Lord graciously answered (1 Kings 3:3ff). If we are to have spiritual discernment, we must keep on asking God, keep on seeking His will, keep on knocking at the door that leads to greater ministry. God meets the needs of His children.

a.    The Command is to Keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking (Matt. 7:7).

                                                    i.     Righteous Discernment Requires Supernatural Help.

a.      If we think that we can live out the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount by our own strength, we have failed to realize the supernatural character of the life to which the Savior calls us. The wisdom or power for such a life must be given to us from above. 

b.     How to treat the lost people of this world is a great challenge facing a child of God.

                                                                                                                i.     Every day we rub shoulders with princes and paupers, gentlemen and scoundrels, true and false professors.

                                                                                                              ii.     Some folk need our friendship and help, and we need them, and we ought to pull them to our hearts.

                                                                                                            iii.     Others are rascals and will bring great harm or even destroy us, and we need to push them from us.

                                                                                                            iv.     How are we to know? To ask, seek, and knock definitely is the Christian’s answer to this problem.  

c.      You would be surprised at how many times I have been fooled by people.

                                                                                                                i.     I tend to have a more trusting than suspicious nature. Sometimes this is a great benefit, but other times it can get me into trouble.

                                                                                                              ii.     Isn’t it interesting that Peter, in the early church, knew Ananias and Sapphira were lying (Acts 5:1–11)? I can’t always tell when someone is lying. This is why it is important to make discernment a matter of prayer. 

d.     When you meet new friends, do you ever ask God to make it clear to you how to treat them? I have found out that it is a good idea to do this. 

                                                  ii.     Righteous Discernment Requires Persistent Prayer.

a.      So here we have an invitation to ask and keep on asking; to seek and keep on seeking; to knock and keep on knocking.

b.     Wisdom and power for the Christian life will be given to every believer who earnestly and persistently prays for it.

                                                                                                                i.     “Ask with confidence and humility. Seek with care and application. Knock with earnestness and perseverance.”  ---Adam Clarke's Commentary 

                                                                                                              ii.     “Jesus encourages his followers to ask, seek, and knock, that their deficiencies may be met from the divine supply. The three imperatives … suggest not only perserverance but frequent prayer for any and all needs.” ---The Wycliffe Bible Commentary

b.    The Promise is God Will Give You All You Need to Live With Discernment (Matt. 7:8).

                                                    i.     Be Assured of God’s Answer to Your Requests.

a.      When the conditions for prayer are met, the Christian can have utter confidence that God will hear and answer. This assurance is based on the character of God, our Father.

b.     “Ask God, and he'll answer! Believers should never hesitate to seek God's richest blessings (7:7-8), for God's generosity toward his children far exceeds our human understanding of generosity (7:9-11).” ---Harold Willmington

                                                  ii.     Be Sure You Honor God’s Conditions for Prayer.

a.      Taken out of context, verses 7 and 8 might seem like a blank check for believers, i.e., we can get anything we ask for. But this is simply not true.

b.     The verses must be understood in their immediate context and in light of the whole Bible’s teaching on prayer.

c.      Therefore, what seems like unqualified promises here are actually restricted by other passages.

                                                                                                                i.     For example, from Psalm 66:18 we learn that the person praying must have no unconfessed sin in his life.

1.     Psalm 66:18, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 

                                                                                                              ii.     The Christian must pray in faith (Jas. 1:6–8).

1.     James 1:6-8, But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

                                                                                                            iii.     And in conformity with the will of God (1 Jn. 5:14).

1.     1 John 5:14, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

                                                                                                            iv.     Prayer must be offered persistently (Luke 18:1–8).

1.     Does prayer ever feel as though you are talking to an empty room when nobody's listening? Do you wonder if your requests are an exercise in auto-suggestion? Is prayer a waste of time because God has more important things to do?

2.     Jesus used the ‘how much more’ argument to demonstrate that God is not indifferent or inattentive. Do not attribute those qualities to him. God hears your prayers eagerly and compassionately. God acts on your behalf and for your best. God cares about you personally.

3.     When you pray, remember God's promise to hear your prayer.  If an unjust judge will respond to constant pressure, how much more will a great and loving God respond to his people? We know he loves us; we can believe he will hear our cries for help. We can trust that one day God will bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night. We know as we persist in prayer (Luke 18:1) as we seek to be obedient in this sinful world, can know that God will not keep putting us off. It may seem for a time that our cries go unheard. But one day, God will see that we get justice, and quickly. 

                                                                                                              v.     And prayer must be offered sincerely (Heb. 10:22a).

1.     Hebrews 10:22, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

c.     The Reason is God Delights in Giving Beneficial Resources to His Praying People (Matt.7: 9-11).

                                                    i.     On the Human Level.

a.      We know that if a son asks for bread, his father will not give him a stone. Neither would he give him a serpent if he had asked for a fish.

b.     An earthly father would neither deceive his hungry son nor give him anything that might inflict pain or be harmful to him.

c.      His natural love and desire to provide for his own would guide him to meet the needs of his child.

                                                  ii.     On the Divine Level.

a.      The Lord argues us to realize that if human parents reward their children’s requests with what is best for them, how much more will our Father who is in heaven do so.

b.     Beloved, God is not a deadbeat dad! He provides for his children!

d.    The Principle is to Treat People With Love and Kindness in Matters of Judging (Matt. 7:12).

                                                    i.     Imitate Your Heavenly Father by Showing Kindness to Others.

a.      The immediate connection of verse 12 with the preceding seems to be this: since our Father is a giver of good things to us, we should imitate Him in showing kindness to others.

                                                  ii.     Test Your Actions By Following the “Golden Rule.”

a.      The way to test whether an action is beneficial to others is whether we would want to receive it ourselves.

                                                                                                                i.     The “Golden Rule” point to the fact that Christianity is not simply a matter of abstinence from sin; it is positive goodness.

                                                                                                              ii.     It may be easy to refrain from harming others, but it is much more difficult to take the initiative in doing something good for them.  The Golden Rule is the foundation of active goodness and mercy -- the kind of love God shows to us every day.      

b.     This is Our Moral Duty to Others.

                                                                                                                i.     That which is pleasing to your self is likely to be pleasing to others.

1.     This is recognized as a good assumption to start with; but it is not always appropriate. Perhaps it would if the “pleasing” was not a matter of self-indulgence. Clearly we should try to please others.

2.     The standard to begin with is what would be pleasing to us; but this will be adjusted as we get to know them better.

                                                                                                              ii.     That which is right for your self is likely to be right for others. But we make at least two mistakes with this.

1.     We claim rights and privileges which we are not prepared to give equally to others. 

2.     We give ourselves freedoms and liberties which we consistently deny to others. This is completely unfair.

3.     My rights should also be afforded to my spouse or brother equally; and my freedoms and liberties are my brother's due also.

4.     What is good for the goose is also good for the gander!  Fair treatment to all regardless of position, station, race, or gender.

                                                                                                            iii.     That which we expect from others we may reasonably expect others to claim from us.

1.     This may appear to fail in recognizing the various relations of classes in society.

2.     But it is based on what is the true equality of mankind. Equality of ability, place, opportunity, education, influence, even of character, there can never be.

3.     But equality in service, mutual service, there can be. The master serves the servant; the servant serves the master. Then Christ's Law clearly applies.

4.     The service I seek is the service I should give. 

                                                iii.     Live in Love to Be Obedient to What the Word Requires (Matt. 7:12).

a.      Not only does this rule describe briefly the behavior expected of Jesus' followers, it also sums up the Law and the Prophets.

                                                                                                                i.     This principle by Jesus is a summary of the moral teachings of the Word. The righteousness demanded by the OT is fulfilled in converted believers who thus walk according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:4). If this verse were universally obeyed, it would transform all areas of international relationships, national politics, family life, and church life.

                                                                                                              ii.     This guiding principle is one of the most misunderstood statements in the Bible. This statement is not the sum total of Christian truth, nor is it God’s plan of redemption. We should no more build our theology on the Golden Rule than we should build our astronomy on “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” 

b.     This great truth is a principle that ought to govern our attitudes toward others.

                                                                                                                i.     It only applies to believers, and it must be practiced in every area of life. The person who practices the Golden Rule refuses to say or do anything that would harm himself or others. If our judging of others is not governed by this principle, we will become proud and critical, and our own spiritual character will degenerate.

                                                                                                              ii.     Practicing the Golden Rule releases the love of God in our lives and enables us to help others, even those who want to hurt us. 

c.      But remember that practicing the Golden Rule means paying a price.

                                                                                                                i.     If we want God’s best for ourselves and others, but others resist God’s will, then they will oppose us.

                                                                                                              ii.     We are salt, and salt stings the open wound. We are light, and light exposes dirt.

 CONCLUSION:

When we reject phony righteousness, we become able to eliminate false systems or sanctimonious standards of judgment also. Our Lord invites us to exercise wise, loving, sensitive, compassionate discernment towards ourselves and other people. Will you accept his generous invitation?

How shall we test our profession of faith? By popularity? No, for there are many on the broad road to destruction. And there are many who are depending on words, saying “Lord, Lord”—but this is no assurance of salvation. Even religious activities in a church organization are no assurance. 

So then...the Cross points to the fact that Jesus is the Savior! As the little chorus goes, “He paid a debt He did not owe, we owed a debt we could not pay.” We have one hope: Salvation through Jesus Christ. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Substitute, Redemption, and Forgiveness of sin.

This is exactly what Paul outlines in Romans 10:9-10, writing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” We must believe that the Son of God died for our sins, was buried, and God raise Him up again the third day for our justification. It is crucial that we place our faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel! This is the power of God that saves us (Rom. 1:14-17).

Christ’s suffering at Calvary was God providing payment for our sins. At Calvary sin was paid for in full. Now sinners can be saved—born again to enter a relationship with God. We cannot save ourselves no matter how good, sincere, or diligent we are. Being born again means we become a part of a new family; God is our Father who shares with us His very own divine nature.

Turn then from your unbelief, rejection of God, freestyle living, and self-willfulness and trust Christ the Savior. Turn from your wicked ways and turn to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord today. He promised to save whoever will repent and believe on Him (John 3; Rom. 10:8-13). He is God, who came to earth and became a man to die in our place for our sins. Because of that, we can know God and be with Him forever. How wonderful!