It was the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield who made a living off of one line: "I get no respect." Though he used the joke as humor, he was speaking a painful truth on the behalf of many people; even some Christians.
Sad, isn't it? Instead of the church being a safe place where the believer is built up and edified, for many it has become a place of never-ending hurt and mistrust, and a place where respect for each other is woefully lacking.
Hello my dear friends. Once again, it is a pleasure to share with you the significant aspects of my journey. Like you, I am in constant process; learning, contemplating, readjusting, and then pressing on towards the next life lesson the Lord sends my way.
This week's Psalms of Discipleship directs our focus upon the importance of creating "environments of grace" with those we call our "community" of faith. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to give respect to others. The psalmist reminds us how connected we are to each other and to the Lord. May we be challenged by His Word to do exactly what He says: to faithfully live out what we profess to believe.
Learning with you,
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #23
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: 1 O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? 2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. 3 He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15:1-5
Core Value: Community
Trust in relationships must be established for any community to be considered as “safe.” The goal of any community of Christians should be “an environment of grace.” In his book, Choose the life: exploring a faith that embraces discipleship, Bill Hull suggests that, “Trust is only present when the faith community experiences relationships of trust in an environment of grace” (2004, pg. 130). Later, Hull goes on to say:
"An environment of grace is a safe place in which people are encouraged to live out the dream God has for them. An environment of grace is where we are accepted for who we are. That doesn’t mean we are not expected to grow and develop—quite the opposite. It is only when we sense acceptance that we will lower our defenses and walk in the light, admitting our needs and allowing others to help us. That is when we will 'trust others with me.'” (Hull 2004, pg. 150)
Living in an environment of grace will always help us treat others with great respect. May we all do our part in creating a safe place where we are helped and where we help others grow closer to Jesus.
Principle #23 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ treats others with great respect. He or she…
• Walks, works, and speaks in a way that treats others with great respect (vs. 2). Their walk (what they do) is consistent with their talk (what they claim to be).
• Treats others with great respect by using words that do not slander; by committing to a way of life that lavishes each neighbor with godly kindness, and by protecting the integrity of the friendship (vs. 3).
• Despises “the flagrant sinners (NLT) and gives honor to those who are faithful followers of the Lord” (vs. 4).
• Has made the conscious decision to treat others with great respect by never taking advantage of those who are innocent and weaker (vs. 4-5).
• Experiences stability in life because they treat others with great respect (vs. 5).
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
Would those who know me best consider me to be a person who treats others with great respect?
Who in my “community of family and friends” need to be affirmed by me?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I do not want to be Your disciple in name only. By Your grace, help me be the kind of person who treats others with great respect.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2010 All rights reserved.
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