Lesson 12 – God’s Guide for the Christian in His Community

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1. WHAT IS OUR CHRISTIAN DUTY TOWARD THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY?

John 3:16 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.

Galatians 6:10 — Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Exodus 20:13 — You shall not murder.

Romans 12:19 — Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

1 John 3:15 — Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

James 4:11 — Brothers, do not slander one another.

1 Peter 4:8 — Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

We realize that God dearly loves all our fellow men. Therefore we must not wish them harm or cause injury by word or deed. Rather we must give kindness and assistance to those who need it.

2. WHAT SHOULD DETERMINE THE MORAL STANDARDS OF THE COMMUNITY?

Hebrews 13:4 — Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Matthew 19:6 — Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.

John 17:14 — I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

We must regard sex and marriage as sacred, even if the community has no respect for these gifts of God.

3. HOW SHOULD WE REGARD THE PROPERTY OF THE COMMUNITY?

Psalm 24:1 — The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

Ephesians 4:28 — He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Hebrews 13:5 — Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Property in the first place belongs to God. Therefore we should obtain it honestly and share it generously according to the will of God.

4. TO WHOM DO WE OWE OBEDIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY?

Romans 13:1,4 — 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…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.

1 Peter 2:18 — Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

Acts 5:29 — We must obey God rather than men.

We must recognize that authority is given by God, and therefore submit to those whom God has placed over us in government and business, even if it means suffering injustice. We must not, however, obey those who order us against the will of God.

5. WHAT IS THE REWARD FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW GOD’S GUIDE FOR THE CHRISTIAN IN HIS COMMUNITY?

Luke 6:38 — Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

We will usually enjoy the gratitude and respect of others in the community.

Romans 3:23,24 — For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

We cannot deserve God’s favor, but he graciously protects our community from disaster, and for Jesus’ sake alone continues to grant us forgiveness and life.

SUMMARY: God’s love covers every community. This truth must govern all we do, say or think. Therefore the people of the community must receive love and respect. Sex and marriage must not be disgraced or abused. Personal or government property must be honored as God’s tools for nourishing and protecting the people of the community. Those who rule us or pay our wages should be respected as God’s own representatives.

The more we live according to God’s rules, the happier our life in the community will be. Yet God’s blessing and forgiveness come not because we have earned them, but because of his great love for us in Christ.

QUICKIE QUIZ (T or F)

  1. ___ We should be kind to our neighbors so that they will be kind to us.
  2. ___ God wants us to love our enemies.
  3. ___ It is wrong to hurt someone unless he hurts you first.
  4. ___ Sometimes it’s wrong to tell the truth.
  5. ___ The government should make laws to protect sex and marriage.
  6. ___ A Christian should not have an abortion.
  7. ___ Everything we own really belongs to God.
  8. ___ Money is the root of all evil.
  9. ___ We don’t have to obey bad laws.
  10. ___ A good life in the community will not help us get to heaven.

WHERE DOES THE BIBLE SAY

  1. that it’s wrong to take revenge?

    Romans 12:19 — Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

  2. that hatred is murder?

    1 John 3:15 — Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

  3. that we should help the poor?

    Ephesians 4:28 — He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

  4. that we should trust God, not money?

    Hebrews 13:5 — Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

  5. that the government has the right to punish evildoers?

    Romans 13:1,4 — 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…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.

For more information you can watch this lesson presented as a Bible study HERE.  Please click HERE to find the complete series of Bible studies.

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