Tag: arguing

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Love One Another

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart, Living a Life for God’s Glory / w2d3

Scripture/SOAP: John 13:34-35

“I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

According to BibleRef.com, ” – the gold standard for living out Christian belief, and the means by which believers are to distinguish themselves from non-believers, is expressed in their love for one another.”(emphasis added) This is important to understand as we read and commit to follow the command of Christ to love other believers as He has loved us. It is helpful to know that this wasn’t literally a new command but was, as best defined by the Greek word that He used for “new”, a command that He was renewing in their minds for the purpose of importance and a means to understand His hands-on illustration of washing their feet (John 13:2–5), which was the act of a lowly-servant not of a teacher or master. This act of kindness was a visible representation of His love for them through a servant’s heart, it was also meant to show them that their attitudes (they had been arguing and contending with one another) need adjusting and that as His disciples it was an example of what their role was to be.

For Jesus, it was the display of His humility and servanthood in forgiving sinners. For the disciples, the washing of their feet displayed a mindset in direct contrast to their heart attitude at that time. For us, washing feet is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ.

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Jesus wanted His disciples1 to know that others were watching them and they would be known by their actions. As followers of Christ, they were to imitate Him – which meant living and loving like Him so that others would know the Father – just as He had lived with and loved them to show them the Father. He had come to make the way, the truth, and life known to men and that was what His disciples were/are to do in His stead.

The Greek term for “disciple” in the New Testament is mathetes, which basically means “student” or “learner.” But a disciple is also a “follower,” someone who adheres completely to the teachings of another, making them his rule of life and conduct. Jesus’ followers were called “disciples” long before they were ever called “Christians.” Their discipleship began with Jesus’ call and required them to exercise their will to follow Him (Matthew 9:9).1

The More We Know

Why did He wash their feet? – it’s important!

Be sure and visit the LGG Blog Page for more insight

1 What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?

Posted in Prayer Starters

Replacing Complaints With Praise

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When my girls were little, we sang a Scripture song by *Steve Green called “Do Everything Without Complaining.1” It was from Philippians 2:14 and was a great teaching tool for those times when they complained about something or someone. In all honesty, it was a teaching tool for me as well, and the verse has stuck with me/us all these years. Now, the Spirit is quick to use it to convict when complaints start flowing. The idea Paul was seeking to convey to the Philippians was that when we are complaining and arguing, we are opening ourselves (the body of Christ) up to criticism. He encouraged them to live clean and innocent lives as children of God so that they would shine as bright lights in a crooked and perverse world. 

The words were simple and repetitive*, but when it came time to put away toys, do homework, or clean their room, it was an effectively catchy measure of warding off the complaining and arguing that would sometimes ensue.  

*Do everything without complaining.

Do everything without arguing

so that you may become blameless

and pure children of God. (repeat)

As adults, our complaining may not always hinge on having to take out the trash or do the dishes; it’s more likely to revolve around life’s daily frustrations. While the girls and I no longer sing the song, we have learned to look for God’s fingerprints and blessings throughout the day. We name them and share them and strive to focus on them, particularly when the hurts and disappointments or inconveniences of life arise. Naming the blessings sets our minds on God, His goodness, His mercy, His grace, and His love, and the list goes on and on. When this happens, our complaining tongues are replaced with praises, and peace and contentment soon triumph over the frustrations and disappointments. 

Today, let’s echo the prayer of Crisswell Freeman* – “Lord, I can either count my blessings or complain about my disappointments. Today, help me to focus my thoughts upon my blessings, my gifts, and my opportunities. Amen2”