CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS

Newsletter 204 August 1, 2010




Bob Mills

Whether Christian or not, we all have a relationship with those about us, but the Christian as a part of the body of Christ, represents in the eye of those who know him, Christianity as a whole.

Today’s Scripture touches how we should respond under a variety of conditions.

Romans 13:1-10 (King James Version)

WITH THOSE WHO RULE OVER YOU

In Apartheid South Africa, we found that people responded to us in a variety of ways. We were working largely with the tribal people, actually the majority, but nevertheless a minority in that they were divided tribally into nine different languages and cultures. There were also many people from India, China, Portugal, Holland, Germany, and in the Cape Province, France.

The Germans and the Dutch, usually turned their backs and walked away. They had their own friends and did not need us, even in a shop.

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Acts 2:41, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13, Daniel 2”21, Daniel 4:12, John 19:11)

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

In general, governing authorities were helpful, sometimes even offering a place to stay as an alternative to a hotel. Generally, we used municipally run camping sites, often also having cottages of some sort.

My self imposed rule of thumb was, “always remember that we are guests here and leave politics to citizens. Keep every law, even though at first it was required that if we left the city where we lived, we must check in and out through the local magistrate’s office. Get a permit to go into any African township, even if it requires going into the township to the superintendent’s office to get it. That is something like getting a permit to park on the university campus for Computer classes I have been assisting here in Richardson. Even though we had a green card and permanent resident permit, we needed to show our passport to book into a hotel.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (1 Peter 2:14)

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (1 Thessalonians 3:6)

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Ecclesiastes 8, 1 Peter 2:13, 1 Peter 2:19)

WITH THOSE TO WHOM YOU OWE TAXES

6 For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25, Luke 20:22, Luke 23:2, Matthew 17:25)

Jesus paid his taxes, even though he created all that was there. If we live in a place, we have that obligation as a Christian as well.

TO WHOM YOU ARE A DEBTOR

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:39, John 13:34, Romans 13:10, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8)

In today’s culture, few people even consider this. For shopping convenience, I have a card, but I make certain that at the start of the month it is paid in full and thus no interest.

WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thyself. (Luke 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Luke 10:18, Matthew 19:19)

10 Love worketh no ill to his Neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:39, John 13:34, Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8)

I recall that as a child, we had two neighbors. On one side there lived a couple who attended worship every week, but our contact was between Sundays. We knew them as a difficult neighbor to love. We lived a quarter mile away from them, but My memory is that we raised white Rock chickens, and they raised a black variety. When she fed hers in the afternoon, she called them so loudly that ours heard and responded to the call and consequently roosted there and accepted their new home. On the other side, about the same distance away, was another family. They also worshipped every Lord’s Day, but in between loved and served the Lord. They had in their large extended family living at home, both a grandmother, and a handicapped daughter. Life could not have been easy. When their home burned to the ground, our doors were open for them until they could find a house in town.

The one was more rewarding to live near, but Jesus called upon us to love equally, Actually to love them “as yourself.” In another place we read the “golden rule.” That we are to treat others as we would be treated.


I RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
AUGUST

1st. Sunday – 1 Chronicles 1, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Psalm 89:46-52
2nd. Monday – 1 Chronicles 2, 3, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 90:1-10 3rd. Tuesday – 1 Chronicles 4, 5, 1 Corinthians 2, Psalm 90:11-17
4th. Wednesday – 1 Chronicles 6, 1 Corinthians 3, Proverbs 19:1-10
5th. Thursday – 1 Chronicles 7, 8, 1 Corinthians 4, Psalm 91:1-8
6th. Friday - 1 Chronicles 9, 10, 1 Corinthians 5, Psalm 91:9-16
7th. Saturday – 1 Chronicles 11, 12, 1 Corinthians 6. Psalm 92
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 12:1

__________

A woman was reading a newspaper one morning and said A her husband,

'Look at this, dear. There's an article here about a man who traded his wife for a season ticket to Arsenal. You wouldn't do a thing like that,-would you?'

'Of course I wouldn't!' replied her husband. 'The season's almost over!'