HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 234
page A232
Neighbors continued
• PR O V E R B S 3 1 :2 6 | When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with
kindness.
• E PH E S I A NS 4 :2 9 | Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and
helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Kindness is using encouraging, helpful words rather than foul or criticizing words.
• PR O V E R B S 3 1 :2 0 | She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
Kindness is helping those who cannot help you in return.
• MAT T H E W 1 0 :4 2 | “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my
followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
Your acts of kindness do not need to be major, award-winning events. God sees and
rewards every act of kindness.
How should I live among my non-Christian neighbors?
• 1 P E T E R 2 :1 2 | Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even
if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give
honor to God when he judges the world.
• C O L O S S I A NS 4 :5 -6 | Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of
every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have
the right response for everyone.
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• G A L AT I A NS 5 :1 4 | For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your
neighbor as yourself.”
HelpFinder
Treat your non-Christian neighbors with love and respect, live honorably and graciously
before them, be an example of godliness, and refuse to condemn them. If they don’t know
God, why should you expect them to live as though they do? Instead of judging them, win
them over with friendship.
PROMISE FROM GOD
• J A ME S 2 :8 | Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Obedience See also Accountability; Bible; Faithfulness; Honesty & Integrity;
Salvation; Truth
From the six-year-old who leaves his game because his mother has called him in for supper to the business executive who pays her taxes honestly and on time, we all live in a
web of relationships dependent on obedience to authority. Like a loving parent, God sets
standards for our good and for protection from evil and harm. God desires obedience
motivated not by fear but by love and trust. Ironically, obedience actually frees us up to
enjoy life as God intended, because it keeps us from becoming entangled or enslaved
to those things that distract us and cause us heartache. Even though God’s command is
sometimes difficult or doesn’t make sense from our human perspective, obedience will
always bring blessings, joy, and peace.
How can I possibly obey all God’s commandments consistently? Doesn’t God
expect every human being to fail at one time or another?
• DE U T E R O NO MY 8 :1 | “Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today.” (See
note on page 167.)
• 1 J O H N 2 :3 | We can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.
The rule for perfect living is to obey all of God’s commandments. But no one is perfect.
That’s why Jesus Christ died for us, to forgive our sins. The key, therefore, is to consistently try to obey God’s commandments, realizing that we will fail in some. At the point
of our failures, we need to consistently seek Jesus and his forgiveness.
