From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
daily devotional
2 Corinthians 5:21
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made
the righteousness of God in Him.
Mourning Christian! why weepest thou? Art thou mourning over thine own
corruptions? Look to thy perfect Lord, and remember, thou art complete in Him;
thou art in God's sight as perfect as if thou hadst never sinned; nay, more
than that, the Lord our Righteousness hath put a divine garment upon thee, so
that thou hast more than the righteousness of man-thou hast the righteousness
of God. O Thou who art mourning by reason of inbred sin and depravity,
remember, none of thy sins can condemn thee. Thou hast learned to hate sin; but
thou hast learned also to know that sin is not thine-it was laid upon Christ's
head. Thy standing is not in thyself-it is in Christ; thine acceptance is not
in thyself, but in thy Lord; thou art as much accepted of God to-day, with all
thy sinfulness, as thou wilt be when thou standest before His throne, free from
all corruption. O, I beseech thee, lay hold on this precious thought,
perfection in Christ! For thou art "complete in Him." With thy Saviour's
garment on, thou art holy as the Holy one. "Who is he that condemneth? It is
Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right
hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Christian, let thy heart
rejoice, for thou art "accepted in the beloved"-what hast thou to fear? Let thy
face ever wear a smile; live near thy Master; live in the suburbs of the
Celestial City; for soon, when thy time has come, thou shalt rise up where thy
Jesus sits, and reign at His right hand; and all this because the divine Lord
"was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in Him."
Proverbs 13:20
(20) He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of
fools shall be destroyed.
We are admonished to bond with people who will encourage our better
behaviors and characteristics. We eventually take on the characteristics of the
people with whom we bond. We find numerous biblical cautions on this principle
or law of bonding:
» Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? ( Amos 3:3)
» He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools
will be destroyed. ( Proverbs 13:20)
» Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not
go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul. ( Proverbs 22:24-25)
The world's psychology claims that friendship is enhanced by
communication. Godly psychology stresses communication but with a slightly
different emphasis. Encounter groups (products of well-meaning but misguided
psychological principle) encourage, "Let it all hang out-give vent to your pent
up feelings." One psychologist suggests that, if one genuinely feels like
saying, "I hate you! I hate you!" he should just say it, if it is an honest
feeling. However, consider God's instruction: "A fool vents all his feelings,
but a wise man holds them back" ( Proverbs 29:11).
God's psychology insists that friends build up instead of tear down.
The Scripture gives ample instructions for godly communication between friends:
"Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds
of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" ( Proverbs 27:5-6).
A friend ought to be able both to offer and receive encouragement and
loving criticism. As we in our local memberships now number in the teens rather
than the hundreds, our faults become more transparent to one another. We need
to come to appreciate both the encouragement and the candid criticism from our
friends, as well as their kindness and generosity.
A friend should never commiserate with or encourage his friend's bitter
attitude or rebellion against any of God's laws, statutes, or principles but
should encourage him to change course:
» Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a
man's friend does so by hearty counsel. [A true friend both gives and accepts
good counsel.] ( Proverbs 27:9)
» As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his
friend. ( Proverbs 27:17)
Godly communication between friends involves sharing common interests,
giving and accepting advice, giving and accepting criticism, and giving and
accepting encouragement. A healthy relationship requires both giving and
receiving, with the primary emphasis on the way of give.
David F. Maas
From Godly Friendship: A Priceless Commodity
. =========================================
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
daily devotional
2 Corinthians 5:21
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made
the righteousness of God in Him.
Mourning Christian! why weepest thou? Art thou mourning over thine own
corruptions? Look to thy perfect Lord, and remember, thou art complete in Him;
thou art in God's sight as perfect as if thou hadst never sinned; nay, more
than that, the Lord our Righteousness hath put a divine garment upon thee, so
that thou hast more than the righteousness of man-thou hast the righteousness
of God. O Thou who art mourning by reason of inbred sin and depravity,
remember, none of thy sins can condemn thee. Thou hast learned to hate sin; but
thou hast learned also to know that sin is not thine-it was laid upon Christ's
head. Thy standing is not in thyself-it is in Christ; thine acceptance is not
in thyself, but in thy Lord; thou art as much accepted of God to-day, with all
thy sinfulness, as thou wilt be when thou standest before His throne, free from
all corruption. O, I beseech thee, lay hold on this precious thought,
perfection in Christ! For thou art "complete in Him." With thy Saviour's
garment on, thou art holy as the Holy one. "Who is he that condemneth? It is
Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right
hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Christian, let thy heart
rejoice, for thou art "accepted in the beloved"-what hast thou to fear? Let thy
face ever wear a smile; live near thy Master; live in the suburbs of the
Celestial City; for soon, when thy time has come, thou shalt rise up where thy
Jesus sits, and reign at His right hand; and all this because the divine Lord
"was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in Him."
Proverbs 13:20
(20) He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of
fools shall be destroyed.
We are admonished to bond with people who will encourage our better
behaviors and characteristics. We eventually take on the characteristics of the
people with whom we bond. We find numerous biblical cautions on this principle
or law of bonding:
» Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? ( Amos 3:3)
» He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools
will be destroyed. ( Proverbs 13:20)
» Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not
go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul. ( Proverbs 22:24-25)
The world's psychology claims that friendship is enhanced by
communication. Godly psychology stresses communication but with a slightly
different emphasis. Encounter groups (products of well-meaning but misguided
psychological principle) encourage, "Let it all hang out-give vent to your pent
up feelings." One psychologist suggests that, if one genuinely feels like
saying, "I hate you! I hate you!" he should just say it, if it is an honest
feeling. However, consider God's instruction: "A fool vents all his feelings,
but a wise man holds them back" ( Proverbs 29:11).
God's psychology insists that friends build up instead of tear down.
The Scripture gives ample instructions for godly communication between friends:
"Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds
of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" ( Proverbs 27:5-6).
A friend ought to be able both to offer and receive encouragement and
loving criticism. As we in our local memberships now number in the teens rather
than the hundreds, our faults become more transparent to one another. We need
to come to appreciate both the encouragement and the candid criticism from our
friends, as well as their kindness and generosity.
A friend should never commiserate with or encourage his friend's bitter
attitude or rebellion against any of God's laws, statutes, or principles but
should encourage him to change course:
» Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a
man's friend does so by hearty counsel. [A true friend both gives and accepts
good counsel.] ( Proverbs 27:9)
» As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his
friend. ( Proverbs 27:17)
Godly communication between friends involves sharing common interests,
giving and accepting advice, giving and accepting criticism, and giving and
accepting encouragement. A healthy relationship requires both giving and
receiving, with the primary emphasis on the way of give.
David F. Maas
From Godly Friendship: A Priceless Commodity
