Walking With Christ

Webers.Home · Apr 21, 2021

.
• Rom 12:16a . . Live in harmony with each other.

It isn't necessary to be in 100% agreement with others on everything in
order to comply with that command. But it is necessary to practice courtesy,
tolerance, patience, and tact, i.e. make every effort to avoid feuding, one
upmanship, and debating. The opposite of harmony is dissonance, which can
be defined as a mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly, e.g. sour
notes.

For some people, every disagreement is an act of war to be won at any cost.
That's not harmony, that's militant. It's far and away better for Christians to
be diplomatic rather than be right all the time.

"For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be,
and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be
quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance
and disorder." (2Cor 12:19-20)
_

Webers.Home · Apr 22, 2021

.
• Rom 12:16b . . Don't be elitist, but willing to associate with people below
you.

I'd have to say that those instructions apply only in church where it's
understood by Spirit-led Christians that no one in attendance is somehow
better than another. (cf. Jas 2:1-4)

Church managers should be given a higher degree of respect than pew
warmers because they're in positions of authority; but all in all, church is a
congregation of redeemed sinners, and that includes the managers; so we're
all equals on that basis. Christ had to undergo just as much suffering,
indignity, and death to redeem church managers as he did for everyone else
so God forbid that the hierarchy should exhibit a holier-than-thou attitude;
viz: a superiority complex. (cf. Matt 23:2-7)
_

Webers.Home · Apr 23, 2021

.
• Rom 12:16c . . Don't be wise in your own conceit.

Webster's defines "conceit" as excessive self-appreciation of one's own worth
or virtue. In other words we're talking about hubris; which often indicates a
loss of contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence,
accomplishments or capabilities.

Conceit is uncivil, untrainable, and intolerable. It truly believes nobody
beneath its dignity could possibly have anything to tell that it doesn't already
know; and if it doesn't already know, then that's because the information
possessed by those beneath its dignity isn't worth knowing.

Those kinds of people will interrupt you right in the middle of your sentence
and begin talking about their own perspective as if your voice is nowhere to
be heard in the whole room. You know why they do that? Because they
sincerely believe that nothing you are in the midst of saying is nearly as
important as what they have to say. In other words: you, and your
thoughts, are superfluous.

Conceited folk are generally very picky about their influences too; in other
words, even if somebody is a Spirit-gifted Bible teacher, but are neither
published, accredited, or properly educated, then forget it. That Spirit-gifted
somebody is eo ipso undeserving of conceit's intellectual attention right out
of the box.

Conceit is not only stuck on itself; but very critical of others too. I've seen it
to happen time and again that when a Spirit-gifted Bible teacher comes
across with a personality like Elijah's or John the Baptist's that conceit
summarily brushes them off as "unloving" no matter even if they speak as
the very voice of God. In other words; conceit disdains to be taught; rather,
conceit seeks to be accommodated.

I think most people in church are aware that conceit is unacceptable.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt
5:3)

Conceit is a psychological disorder, so people can't just turn it off at will. But
unless something radical is done to correct their conceit; people will have to
face the sum of all fears.

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you
shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3)
_

Webers.Home · Apr 24, 2021

.
• Rom 12:17a . . Never reciprocate evil with evil to anyone.

That is a really tough command to follow; for example: when someone
makes a demeaning comment, and/or a sarcastic remark about us, the urge
to bounce back with a rejoinder in kind is very difficult to resist.

Well-to-do families at one time sent their daughters off to finishing school to
learn a variety of social graces. I don't know, maybe they still do; but surely
diplomacy ought to be a common social grace among Christians.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 25, 2021

.
• Rom 12:17b . . Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

The Greek word for "right" is a bit ambiguous. It can mean: honorable,
decent, sensible, mature, conforming to social norms of decency and
propriety, beautiful, virtuous, honest, having worth, fitting, and/or
appropriate. Those are all good qualities and should be practiced not only
inside church, but outside church too.

Social norms, i.e. customs and traditions related to culture, should always be
tolerated and respected to the best of our ability just so long as those things
don't cause problems with our conscience. In other words: make an effort to
be gracious.

As an example: should you perchance find yourself in a society where it's
culturally wrong to wear shoes into a domicile; then take them off. Or a
culture where men and women sit in their own section of a room apart from
the men, or at their own table apart from the men during meals; then go
along with it without comment and without complaint.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 26, 2021

.
• Rom 12:18 . . If possible, so far as it in your power, be at peace with all
men.

Assertive, defensive, demanding, fault-finding, imperious, judgmental,
confrontational, argumentative, bossy, spirited, hard-nosed, implacable,
moody, thin skinned, vindictive, abrasive, spiteful people are not allowed in
heaven. Why? Because heaven is a place of peace (Matt 5:9, Rom 14:17).

Disagreeable people who fight at the drop of a hat simply don't fit in heaven
and besides, not only would they be a fish out of water; but it wouldn't be
fair to the others to let difficult people in to heaven where they would surely
turn it into the same kind of hellish world to live in that they've made the
Earth.

Christians should not be difficult. Of all people, they should be the easiest to
get along with.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 27, 2021

.
• Rom 12:19 . . Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave it to the
wrath of God, for it is written: Vengeance is mine, I will repay; testifies The
Lord.

The focus is upon one's "own" revenge; in other words: if the matter can't
be settled legally; let it go rather than take it upon yourself to be
prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner, i.e. a vigilante. Those who seek
justice outside the justice system are no less criminals than the people they
seek to punish.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 28, 2021

.
• Rom 12:20 . . If your personal enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is
thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his
head.

Heaping real live burning coals upon somebody's head would be terribly
vindictive and unchristian; as would wishing them dead and condemned to
Hell. It's probably just meant to be a colloquialism for making someone feel
ashamed of themselves, i.e. guilty.

Way back when the television show "SURVIVOR" was in its second or third
season, two of the women fell out of sorts and one vowed that even if the
other were lying in the street near death from thirst, she'd walk right past
and not give her so much as a drop of water.

Bad form. Christians have to remain civil and not permit detestable people
to dictate the way we treat our fellow men. It is far better for Christ's
followers to exemplify humanitarian principles than satisfy a grudge. I'll
admit it's galling to have to be courteous with people that mistreat us; but
what can I say? Christ expects us to.

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the
tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you
doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matt 5:46-47)
_

Webers.Home · Apr 29, 2021

.
• Rom 12:21 . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

In other words: fighting fire with fire is not always the wisest course of
action for Christians to follow.

Compliance with that particular command requires some self control on our
part because human nature's impulses usually steer us into the wrong
course of action when coping with evil.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 30, 2021

.
• Rom 13:1-5 . . Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has established. The
authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who
rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and
those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

. . . For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do
wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do
what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you
good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for
nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the
wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only
because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

There are Christians out there sincerely believing that all capital punishment
is wrong; and how can they be faulted when of late Pope Francis himself has
been saying it's wrong. But according to the passage above, and the one
below, capital punishment is divine.

"And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an
accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an
accounting for the life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made
man." (Gen 9:4-6)

Murder deserves the death penalty not so much because it's morally wrong,
but because it disparages the image of God. In other words: murder is an
act of blaspheme.

Rom 13:1-5 is a fair warning to Christians that should they break the law; to
expect neither favoritism nor immunity. So then, if you can't do the time,
then don't do the crime.

Christians that commit capital crimes should expect their heads to roll just
like any other capital criminal's head; and that goes for lesser crimes too,
e.g. J-walking, illegal U-turns, feeding parking meters, drifting through stop
signs without coming to a complete halt, exceeding the speed limit, unsafe
lane changes, road rage, disturbing the peace, littering, trespassing,
shoplifting, civil disobedience, animal abuse, etc.

God has given governments the right to play God; any Christian who
opposes government's right to play God, is playing the Devil. God forbid!
Christians ought not to be scofflaws; no, they really ought to be the most
law-abiding citizens on Earth.
_

Webers.Home · May 1, 2021

.
• Rom 13:6a . . Pay your taxes

While it's true that tax dollars often get wasted on fraud, graft, pork, bail
outs, ear marks, and such things; by and large taxes are essential if we're to
expect services like schools, parks, national defense, law enforcement, fire
protection, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, foster care, endowments,
reparations, flood control, TANF, and the maintenance of infrastructure, etc.

Taxes are also used to pay government salaries, wages, and benefits.
Though they are not holy people in the religious sense, they should probably
be regarded as such: maybe even as angels: of a sort.
_

Webers.Home · May 2, 2021

.
• Rom 13:7 . . Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay
taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then
honor.

Christians don't have to particularly like the folks in government, but we do
have to allow them the dignity that their positions deserve; in compliance
with Rom 13:1-5.

For example: tearing up a US President's state of the union address, banning
him from social media platforms, censoring his comments, and/or
impeaching him contrary to Constitutional law, is not the Christian way; so
don't let Christ catch you participating in those kinds of impious behaviors.
_

Webers.Home · May 3, 2021

.
• Rom 13:8 . . Owe no man anything.

Some have construed that command to mean that it's a sin to have a
mortgage, a car payment, and/or a credit card balance. However, the Greek
word for "owe" is opheilo (of-i'-lo) an ambiguous word with a number of
meanings, one of which is to fail in duty; viz: fail to meet your obligations.

In today's world; debt is night unto impossible to avoid; but debt is okay for
Christians just so long as they pay their bills on time. Christ is neither
pleased nor honored when his followers are known as deadbeats.
_

Webers.Home · May 4, 2021

.
• Rom 13:12 . . Put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of
light.

Among the first things that God created for the cosmos was light (Gen 1:3).
He didn't have to create darkness because darkness per Gen 1:2 is just
simply the default condition in the absence of light.

At that time, God made a distinct difference between light and darkness
(Gen 1:4). I think it is very notable that God labeled the light "good" but He
didn't label the darkness good.

I believe Gen 1:4 set the stage; in other words: from that point on in the
Bible, darkness typically represents something harmful and/or distasteful;
while light always represents something tasteful and/or beneficial. So then
we could label the deeds of darkness as deeds unbecoming Christ's
followers, and we could label the armor of light as deeds befitting his
followers. In other words: deeds befitting Christ's followers are their first line
of defense in a world gone mad with evil.

"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he
must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against
those who do evil." (1Pet 3:10-12)
_

Webers.Home · May 5, 2021

.
• Rom 13:13 . . Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and
drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and
envy.

"in the day" could be construed to mean "in that day" which would indicate
life and society as it will be in the kingdom God. Well; needless to say,
people then won't be acting like they do now, so maybe we should start
preparing for that day by putting these instructions into enough practice to
make them become a habit.

The Greek word for "envy" is somewhat ambiguous. It includes-- along with
envy --jealousy, indignation, and outrage.

The Greek word for "strife" is somewhat ambiguous too. It includes-- along
with strife --quarrelling, wrangling, contention, debate, and a whole other
bunch of ugly stuff associated with variance.

"in the day" probably refers to daytime when the sun is up as opposed to
nighttime when the sun is down; which is usually when people are out
partying, drinking, and picking each other up for one night stands.

Though strife and envy can be seen during both day or night, they're listed
as nighttime behavior due to their being shameful.

NOTE: What I find interesting about Christ's commandments is that his
followers have to be instructed how to properly conduct themselves; viz: it's
never assumed they can be trusted to instinctively and/or intuitively know
how.
_

Webers.Home · May 6, 2021

.
• Rom 13:14 . . .Clothe yourselves with The Lord Jesus Christ

Clothing one's self with a personage was a colloquialism many years ago
which would correspond in our day to "emulation" which Webster's defines
as trying to be like someone or something you admire.

They say that imitation is the highest flattery. Well; if you'd like to flatter
The Lord; adopt his integrity, his principles and his core values. But don't
guess at them; learn them, from someone that the Lord has empowered to
teach for him per Eph 4:11-15
_

Webers.Home · May 7, 2021

.
• Rom 14:1 . . Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on
disputable matters.

A strong faith consists of the elements of knowledge, confidence, assurance,
and conviction. A weak faith can be defined as vacillating; viz: one that's not
all that sure whether something is wrong for a Christian; or even that
something is right; in other words, a weak faith lacks the elements of
knowledge, confidence, assurance, and conviction.

Disputable matters are matters of opinion rather than matters of fact.
Opinions are often subjective, biased, and arbitrary, rather than objective,
unbiased, and by-the book. Opinions inevitably invite perpetual debating
that never really gets to the bottom of anything; which, in matters of
spiritual significance is strictly forbidden within the context of the 14th
chapter of Romans; because debatable matters are not matters of doctrine;
but rather; matters of conscience.

We're not talking about black and white doctrines and principles here. Those
are not open to debate. We're talking about gray areas.

"Thou shalt not commit adultery" is black and white; while issues like video
games, music, fashions, foods, cosmetics, movies, self defense, gambling,
swim suits, political activism, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, fasting, religious
art, crucifixes, couture, and holy days of obligation are debatable. In regards
to those areas; let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind rather than
somebody else's mind.

Those are things about which each has to decide for themselves according to
the dictates of their own conscience; and God forbid they should impose
their personal dictates upon others and thus become dictatorial because
that's playing God and usurping Christ's sovereign prerogative to make the
rules for his own church.
_

Webers.Home · May 8, 2021

.
• Rom 14:2-4 . . One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another
man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats
everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does
not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has
accepted him.

If somebody sincerely believes that fast food, GMO, high fructose corn
syrup, non organic produce, processed foods, grain-fed beef, raw oysters,
sushi, and/or anything fried in lard is sinful; well; more power to them; but
God forbid they should condemn others who disagree.

So then; whether or not to eat grass-fed beef or grain-fed beef is your call;
although in my judicious estimation; you run a much higher risk of
contracting E.coli 0157-H7 by eating grain-fed beef. But the choice to run
that risk is yours alone; not mine. The important point to note is that either
way, God will accept one's diet just so long as they are convinced in their
own mind it's not a sinful diet. And God forbid that we should undertake to
pressure someone via debating and sophistry to violate their conscience.
_

Webers.Home · May 9, 2021

.
• Rom 14:5 . . One man considers one day more sacred than another;
another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced
in his own mind.

Common Christian holy days are The Lord's Day (Sunday), Solemnity of
Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany, Solemnity of Saint Joseph Husband
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Ascension Trinity Sunday, Solemnity of
Saints Peter and Paul, Good Friday, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, All Saints, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas), and the
Sabbath. Some would probably include Easter and Ash Wednesday, et al.

If your denomination, or your church of choice, rules that days like the
above are sacred, then for you they are. Whether God himself really and
truly rules them as sacred is irrelevant. What matters is whether you are
convinced He does because the focus of the 14th of Romans is upon matters
of conscience rather than matters of fact.

NOTE: The Jehovah's Witnesses' personal opinions about birthdays, holidays,
and holy days are protected by the 14th chapter of Romans; and forbids
debating with them about it.
_

Webers.Home · May 10, 2021

.
• Rom 14:13a . .Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.

Within the context of the 14th of Romans, "passing judgment" pertains to
criticizing others for refusal to accept and/or comply with your own personal
gray-area beliefs and practices.
_

Walking With Christ

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member