Category: Level: Intermediate

responsible for others' happiness

Are You Responsible For Others’ Happiness?

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I know it’s popular for Christian and secular counselors to say that others aren’t responsible for our happiness. But the fact is, they are. Not completely, but partly. That’s why Jesus and His apostles taught us to live in community. We are all partly responsible for others’ happiness. Much, if not most, of the teachings on relationships in the New Testament begin with the assumption that we affect others’ happiness. Scripture instructs us to “encourage each other” (Heb. 10:25). 2 Corinthians 1:4 teaches: “Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” We are responsible to bring comfort and encouragement to others, which are elements of happiness. Many other passages could be cited to support this. That is why the popular teaching about happiness is dangerously mistaken. Continue Reading →

transformation image of Christ

The Restoration of His Image

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After Jesus returns and we see him God will complete the restoration of his image in us; we will be completed New Adams! 1 Corinthians 15:49 states: “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven” (ESV). Our complete Christformation will make our previous life seem like a long war. We spent many years pursuing God and his holiness. We slowly learned how to walk in the Spirit and abide in Christ. We gradually purged selfishness and hedonism and unbelief. We did not set our hearts on things on this earth (Col. 3:1) and we did not make it a priority to accumulate wealth (Matt. 6:19) or fame. We looked to him to satisfy our deepest desires, which he began to do. We crucified our corruption, accepted rejection and learned to love our enemies. After Jesus Continue Reading →

two friends shapening

One Person Sharpens Another

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In a godly friendship we incorporate biblical fellowship and edifying words into our interactions with another. We go beyond encouraging and affirming one another in Christ which has a limited impact on our maturity. Since our top priority is pleasing God, we go further and consciously help each other to become like Christ. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17, NIV). Scripture instructs us to “Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives” (Col. 3:16, NLT). A “soul friend” is an advanced godly relationship in which two people are highly committed to being open to the influence and direction of each other in order to become like Christ. They practice quality biblical fellowship and develop interdependence; they are spiritual counselors for each other. Since we are secure in the friendship, we are free to direct each other to die to self. We gently Continue Reading →

discernment

Pursuing Better Discernment

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Discernment is an essential trait for maturity. Paul prays for the Philippians: “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Phil. 1:9-10, ESV). Thus, knowledge and discernment are needed in order to grow in love and pursue excellence and holiness in Christ. Discernment keeps us on the path to our destiny on the New Earth. If we lack discernment, then we will be prone to wasting days or years on detours pursuing teachings, ideas or impressions that do not lead to Christformation. If we are pursuing better discernment, then we will be able to avoid distractions and pitfalls and help others do likewise. The beginning of discernment is the humility to recognize that one needs God’s grace and wisdom to sort out Continue Reading →

care for people in our care

How Are You Caring For Those In Your Care?

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God is more interested in how you treat those in your care than in our generosity (with time or money) to a ministry or to any other cause. In Mark 7 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees by quoting one of the ten commandments saying: “Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) — then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:10-13, NIV). We need to be careful to avoid any form of this type of offense. Try to imagine how you would feel if Christ pointed out your failure to love someone in your care, Continue Reading →