Live In Harmony
Practice putting your ego in-check; esteem others as better. Resolve issues of offense or transgressions with an attitude of humility. First, go one-on-one to restore the relationship. Secondly, if they won't hear you, go to an objective, non-emotional audience. Next, if still no reconciliation, then go to the church for counsel. Strive to get along with one another. Resentment, unforgiveness, and discord block our ears. Fourth, "count the one who refuses reconciliation as a heathen and a publican", not a condemnation; but a path to peace and harmony.
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Ch 53: Jesus Discusses The Need For Humility
Matthew 18:1-35; Mark 9:33-50; Luke 9:46-50
Who Is The Greatest In The Kingdom?
ON THEIR way to Capernaum the disciples argued among themselves. When he was in the house, Jesus asked them:
“What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?”
The disciples were silent for they had disputed about who was the greatest.
Jesus sat down with them and said:
“If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
Then he set a child in the midst of the disciples and, holding him in his arms, he said:
“Verily I say unto you, ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.’ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.”
Tolerance Urged
John said to Jesus:
“Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us. And we forbade him, because he followeth not us.”
Jesus replied:
“Forbid him not; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, ‘He shall not lose his reward.’
Offenses to Avoid
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life halt or mained, rather than have two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven.
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
No One Is Unimportant In The Sight Of God
“How think ye? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seek the one that has gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in Heaven that one of these little ones should Perish.
Godlike Reconciliation
“Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church. But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, ‘Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.’ again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Godlike Forgiveness
Peter asked Jesus:
“Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?”
Jesus replied:
“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 worshiped 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 fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence. And he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me that thou owest.’ And his fellow servant 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 fellow servants 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. Shouldst not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?’ And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, til 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.”
