Post by Lee on Mar 29, 2014 2:58:00 GMT
WHILE Yahweh is preeminently a God of love, there are certain things that He hates, and it is well for us to know and understand both sides of His
character. In some of our messages, we have emphasized His love as being boundless, and His mercy abundantly manifested, but, at this time, we turn to the 7 things that are an abomination unto Him, so that we may learn to look upon them in the same manner. They are:
1. A proud look, or haughty eyes.
2. A lying tongue.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood.
4. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.
5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief.
6. A false witness that speaketh lies.
7. He that soweth discord among brethren. Prov. 6:17-
THE seventh thing that God hates is he that soweth discord among brethren. There are many forms that this can take, and one of them is the development of crotchets. A brother may select some commandment, or he may decide upon some form of procedure, and keep agitating the subject until he finally elevates it above a first principle of Truth. Even though he may realize that his action has brought discord, or strife, among his brethren, he will continue his agitation under the pretext of "righteous zeal."
It is not surprising to find "sowing discord" in organizations pertaining to worldly affairs, but we are not a group of that type, we are the Ecclesia of the Living God. Christ is the Head, and every part of the Body must do its part so that we will operate as a unit. If any part of the Body gets out of joint, the only weapon we are permitted to use is the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, and we must learn how to use it in harmony with the Truth. The divine standard by which we must operate, is provided for us in Mic. 6:8— "He hath showed thee, Ο man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." Humility is one of the foundation stones of the Household of God, and Jesus gave us a notable example when he washed the feet of his disciples. If we would enter the Kingdom of God, it will only be through "much tribulation," and tribulation should draw us closer to one another. Nothing must come between us, for what we do for or against our brethren and sisters we do for or against God. This is a thought that should be in our minds at all times, for Jesus made it plain in Mt. 25:40— "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." It is possible for us to be sowing discord among brethren without being conscious of it. We may be overcome with misplaced zeal in our endeavor to put into effect what we believe to be a wise policy that will benefit the members of the ecclesia. It is a good thing to be zealous; but if we are, let us be certain that our zeal is founded upon love for the Truth and the Brotherhood, and is tempered with care for harmony, unity, & peace in the ecclesia— "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind LET EACH ESTEEM OTHER BETTER THAN THEMSELVES."
Where are such to be found?
Truly their price is above rubies!
—editor 1969 Berean
character. In some of our messages, we have emphasized His love as being boundless, and His mercy abundantly manifested, but, at this time, we turn to the 7 things that are an abomination unto Him, so that we may learn to look upon them in the same manner. They are:
1. A proud look, or haughty eyes.
2. A lying tongue.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood.
4. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.
5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief.
6. A false witness that speaketh lies.
7. He that soweth discord among brethren. Prov. 6:17-
THE seventh thing that God hates is he that soweth discord among brethren. There are many forms that this can take, and one of them is the development of crotchets. A brother may select some commandment, or he may decide upon some form of procedure, and keep agitating the subject until he finally elevates it above a first principle of Truth. Even though he may realize that his action has brought discord, or strife, among his brethren, he will continue his agitation under the pretext of "righteous zeal."
It is not surprising to find "sowing discord" in organizations pertaining to worldly affairs, but we are not a group of that type, we are the Ecclesia of the Living God. Christ is the Head, and every part of the Body must do its part so that we will operate as a unit. If any part of the Body gets out of joint, the only weapon we are permitted to use is the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, and we must learn how to use it in harmony with the Truth. The divine standard by which we must operate, is provided for us in Mic. 6:8— "He hath showed thee, Ο man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." Humility is one of the foundation stones of the Household of God, and Jesus gave us a notable example when he washed the feet of his disciples. If we would enter the Kingdom of God, it will only be through "much tribulation," and tribulation should draw us closer to one another. Nothing must come between us, for what we do for or against our brethren and sisters we do for or against God. This is a thought that should be in our minds at all times, for Jesus made it plain in Mt. 25:40— "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." It is possible for us to be sowing discord among brethren without being conscious of it. We may be overcome with misplaced zeal in our endeavor to put into effect what we believe to be a wise policy that will benefit the members of the ecclesia. It is a good thing to be zealous; but if we are, let us be certain that our zeal is founded upon love for the Truth and the Brotherhood, and is tempered with care for harmony, unity, & peace in the ecclesia— "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind LET EACH ESTEEM OTHER BETTER THAN THEMSELVES."
Where are such to be found?
Truly their price is above rubies!
—editor 1969 Berean