The method being used today to persuade believers to be kind, understanding, charitable, etc. is by reasoning with them, but the Bible teaches that these things are ours in Jesus. The Bible teaches that we are to put on Jesus. The Bible teaches that we are crucified and resurrected, Jesus in us. What do we need with human reasoning to love one another? Would not human reasoning bring about human efforts? Do not human efforts bring about temporary fixes. Is it not true that Jesus’ works are eternal and man’s works are temporary. Then why don’t we heed the Bible and learn how to do the works of the Lord.
The work of the Lord is to believe on the one whom He has sent. The Bible lays out the way to do the works of God. First of all, it teaches that the doer of the Word must be crucified with Christ to accomplish eternal works. How?
Rom: 6:3-11: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7: For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8: Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10: For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom: 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Eph: 4:21: If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24: And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
We have the mind and Spirit of Christ. His words are Spirit and they are life. Jesus Christ is the wedding garment that is required that one be wearing in order to partake of the wedding feast. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Rom: 13:14
Do you not think that if the church did these things that the members would not need preachers to reason with them about why they should witness, give, and serve?
Also, the do-it-yourselfers will find that they can obey when it is easy to do. And they may even obey when it is hard to do, most times, but they will always fail when the demand is humanly impossible. Whereas the one depending on Jesus for the empowerment, motivation, and direction will have the power to do whatever needs to be done.
Those who are living the Bible way do not need to be persuaded, they only need to be encouraged, reminded, and urged on to love and good works. Their state of mind and heart is one of depending upon the Spirit living and reigning in their heart.
The do-it-yourselfers choose in each situation whom they will serve--themselves or God.
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