PROPER CHRISTIAN BEHAVIORS: A BRIEF BIBLICAL STUDY by Carl McCaskey Jesus clearly taught: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your bretheren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans also?" " (Matthew 5:43-47) I want to point out two important items being taught here. First of all, Jesus instructs us to not only love our brethren, but also those who are _not_ our brethren. Ask yourself this: do you exhibit a loving attitude towards those who you consider not to be your brethren? Secondly this teaches that it is quite easy for one to love one's brethren, yet it is much more difficult to love those who are not one's brethren. This is one area where many of us are quite weak and is one reason why we need to pray for God's guidance. Unfortunately some have tried to argue that this love applies to brethren only. This is a false teaching and is refuted with Jesus's own words as found in Matthew 5:43-47 (and elsewhere), but Paul clearly clarified whom we should love in a Christian manner when he wrote: "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward _ALL_ men, even as we do toward you:" (1 Thessalonians 3:12) [Emphasis mine -- CM] Please notice that Paul teaches that the Lord make you abound in love not only toward one another {brethren}, but also to _all_ men {everyone else}. Paul also makes it clear that Christians are to "give none offense" in regards to Christians _and_ non-Christians. "Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:" (1 Corinthians 10:32) Do you know of any who are giving offense? If so, please pray for them regardless of how they may given offenses against you. If you are giving offense, ask those whom you've transgressed for their forgiveness. This may be hard, but with God's help, you will be able to do so. What does the Holy Scriptures say about those who refuse to stop using abusive and vile words against others? "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26) This clearly teaches that those who claim to be Christian, yet cannot stop using abusive language are deceiving their own hearts and therefore their religion is in vain. Jesus instead taught love, not abuse: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34,35) "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:12,13) "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30,31) Now, the most appropriate and logical question that arises from the three sets of verses cited above is "What is a neighbor?" Good question. One which Jesus answers in a parable. "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise." (Luke 10:29-37) Did the Samaritan inquire whether this man in need believed in God? No. Did the Samaritan inquire whether this man was brethren? No. Why? Because it didn't matter. We, as Christians, are to show compassion and love to _ALL_ and help them with kindness and gentleness regardless of their background. Also, please note that Jesus calls loving thy neighbor as thyself a commandment. Jesus also makes it quite clear what would happen to those who broke such a commandment, but still try to teach God's Word: "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:19) "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:4) This also does not bode well for some and it is yet another point that I pray about and ask others to pray about as well. If I have committed transgressions against others in the past, I have asked for forgiveness. If someone has committed transgressions against me, I have unconditionally forgiven them as well. Christians are clearly instructed to be kind, not rude; patient, not short-tempered; humble, not proud; and also forgiving. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32) "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." (Colossians 3:12-14) "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6:12) "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14,15) Some may ask "why forgive someone who sins against me time and time again?" That's a good question which Jesus Christ answered: "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." (Matthew 18:21-35) How are we suppose to know who is good and who isn't? Well the Holy Scriptures also instruct Christians on how to tell the difference: "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." (Matthew 7:17) "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6:45) It is shown that one is known by their "fruits." What are these "fruits"? The scriptures explain what the fruits of the Holy Spirit are: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) Some are quite lacking in many of those aspects. This is another reason why we should pray for those and ask others to pray for them as well. Furthermore, we should be vigilant in our own behavior so, with God's grace, we continue to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Another area in which some show unChristian behavior is anger. Those who quickly spew forth angry words towards others are also addressed in the Holy Scriptures: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." (James 1:19,20) Even without those verses, it is readily apparent that anger and vile words drive away many Christians as well as those wandering souls that could have used patient, loving, Christian guidance. Therefore angry and vile words clearly do not achieve the righteousness of God. This saddens me greatly as well and is something to pray over. Another are of abusive behavior is to speak evil of others. Speaking evil about others is something which Paul clearly instructs Christians not to do. "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." (Titus 3:2) An impatience, ungentle nature and vile words also go against scripture in these verses: "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;" (1 Timothy 3:2-3) "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" (2 Timothy 2:24,25) One other thing. Why should I or any Christian bother with those who are disruptive, abusive, angry, etc.? Well, once again I turn to scripture: "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men." (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15) Here I am encouraged to admonish those who are unruly yet still be patient to all. However, if a person still refuses to listen and turns his unChristian wrath on you, the Holy Scriptures tell you what you have to do: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17,18) In short, if they continue to reject what Jesus instructs, what Paul clarifies and what the Holy Scriptures teach by continuing in their abusive ways, then you are required to avoid them as long as they continue. Amazingly, some people proclaiming to be Christian actually attempt to justify their abusiveness with scripture, however the Holy Scriptures teach the following: "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16) Do as the Bereans did and compare the actions and words of those who profess to be Christian in order to see if they are the words and actions supported or condemned by the Bible. You do not have to turn your back on them forever, but instead patiently and lovingly give them every opportunity to repent of their transgressions and allow the grace of God to transform them into a brother or sister in Christ that they could become. You can't force anyone to do any of this. All one can do is follow what God has said to do in the scriptures, pray for others and then leave it in His hands. I ask you to read what I have written and pray for guidance in regards to it.