Relationship
to Other Persons
By
Charles A. Weisman
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Comments:
After the necessary relationship we are to have with our Creator, the
manner of relationship we have with one another stands as primary
importance in our earthly lives. The Bible clearly reveals that we
are to have a certain attitude, conduct and relationship towards
other persons. Christ summarized and commanded this interpersonal
relationship as follows: "Thou shall love thy neighbor as
thyself" (Matt. 22:39).
An
explanation of who is regarded as a "neighbor" to us is
given in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). The
priest and the Levite, who had walked by an injured man without
giving him aid, were no more regarded as a 'neighbor' than the
thieves who robbed and beat the man. Only the Samaritan, who had
aided and comforted the injured man, was regarded as a 'neighbor' to
him. Christ had also told us who it is that we are to regard as
brethren or as our brother:
"For
whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister
and mother" (Matt. 12:50; Mark 3:35).
It is
clear that not all people are to be regarded as our neighbor or our
brother, yet that status is to be assumed in those we don't know.
Thus, when we meet a stranger we are to treat him as though he were
our neighbor or brother unless we have evidence to the contrary. Just
as all are innocent until proven guilty, all must be regarded as our
neighbor or brethren until proven otherwise. How will this be proven?
Christ said, "By their fruits you will know them" (Matt.
7:16, 20). Their ways and deeds and acts will eventually reveal
whether or not they are a neighbor, or if they are to be regarded as
brethren.
The law of
love, as commanded by Christ, is thus the basis of Christian ethics.
Every commandment intended to govern the relations of men is
fulfilled in the commandment of love (Gal. 5:14; Rom. 13:8).
Love, in
its full and proper sense, is a union of the internal feelings with
the outward act: whence it appears that neither doing good nor
wishing good to another alone can in strict propriety be denominated
love. Generally, if the inside concern is absent, so will the outward
deeds.
The
relationship we have with others as prescribed in the Bible
establishes an effective and efficient social order. It requires that
we avoid strife which causes division, that we do not defraud others
who we depend upon for honesty, that we reproof and correct one
another that errors and mistakes be eliminated, that we offer
forgiveness so that grief and hatred be not multiplied, and that we
have fellowship with others for mutual comfort and edification.
Duty
Towards Brethren
To restore
the erring. Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20.
To help
bear the burdens of one another. Rom. 15:1; Gal. 6:2.
To help
those that are weak in faith. Rom. 141; 1 Thes. 5:12.
To pray
for brethren. Job 42:8-10; 2 Cor. 1: 11; 1 Thes. 5:25; 2 Thes. 3:1.
That which
we do for our brethren we do for Christ. Matt. 25:35-45.
Comfort
each other and edify one another. 1 Thes. 5:11.
He is
considered great who is servant to his brethren. Matt. 20:26-28;
Matt. 23:11; Mark 10:43-44; Luke 22:26.
It is not
good to do anything which causes your brother to stumble, or become
offended, or be made weak. Rom. 14:13, 21; 1 Cor. 8:11-13.
We ought
to lay down our lives for the brethren whom God laid down his life
for. 1 John 3:16.
Do unto
others as you would want others to treat you. Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31.
Endure all
things for the sake of the elect. 2 Tim. 2:10.
Forgiveness
You are to
forgive the trespasses of your brethren. Gen. 50:17; Matt. 6:12;
Matt. 18:21-22, 35; Luke 11:4.
Forgive
those you have a quarrel against as Christ forgives us. Eph. 4:32;
Col. 3:13.
If your
brother trespass against you, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive
him. Luke 17:3.
If your
brother trespass against you seven times in a day, and seven times in
a day turn again to you, saying, I repent; you shall forgive him.
Luke 17:4.
If any has
caused sorrow, forgive and comfort him lest he be overwhelmed by the
sorrow. 2 Cor. 2:5-7.
If you do
not forgive others God will not forgive your trespasses. Matt.
6:14-15; Matt. 18:29-35; Mark 11:25-26.
Whenever
you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone. Mark
11:25.
Love
You shall
love your neighbor as yourself. Lev. 19:18; Matt. 19:19; Matt. 22:39;
Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27-28; Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8.
Christians
commanded to love one another as Christ has loved you. John 13:34-35;
John 15:12-14, 17; Rom. 12:10; 1 Thes. 4:9; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet 1:22; 1
Pet 2:17; 1 Pet 3:8; 1 John 2:9. 1 John 3:11; 1 John 4:7, 11; 2 John
1:5.
Let us not
love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. John 3:18.
We should
walk in and pursue love. 1 Cor. 14:1; Eph. 5:2.
He that
does, not love his brother does not love God, for he that loves God
loves his brother also. 1 John 4:20-21; 5:1-3.
Through
love serve one another. Gal. 5:13.
He that
loves not his brother abides in death and walks in darkness. 1 John
2:9-11; 1 John 3:14-15.
Let all
that you do be done with love. 1 Cor. 16:14.
Love works
no evil, and thus is the fulfilling of the law. Rom. 13:89 10; James
2:8.
Let love
be without hypocrisy. Rom. 12:9.
We are to
fervently love one another with a pure heart. 1 Pet. 1:22.
Love
should be promoted and maintained. Heb. 13:1.
We should
be tolerant and forbearing towards one another in order to show our
love. Eph. 4:2; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:13.
The fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness,
faith. Gal. 5:22.
Love
covers a multitude of sins. Prov. 10:12; 1 Pet. 4:8.
Open
rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Prov. 27:5.
Honesty
and Sincerity
Honesty is
to be provided to everyone and in all things in life you do. Rom.
12:17; 2 Cor. 8:21; 2 Cor. 13:7; 1 Tim. 2:2; Heb. 13:18
We should
think on honest things. Phil. 4:8.
Respect
what is right and honest in the sight of all men. Rom. 12:17.
We are to
walk honestly. Rom. 13:13; 1 Thes. 4:12.
Sincerity
characterizes our love to Christ. Eph. 6:24.
A godly
sincerity should characterize our whole conduct. 2 Cor. 1: 12.
He who is
near to God speaks the truth in his heart. Psa. 15:1-2.
Dishonest
gain condemned. Ezek. 22:13, 27.
The
preaching of the gospel to be with sincerity. 2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Phil. 1:
16; Thes. 2:3-5.
Christians
exhorted to be sincere. 1 Cor. 5:8.
Those with
an honest and good heart hear and keep the word of God and bring
forth fruitful work. Luke 8:15.
We should
pray on behalf of others that they may be sincere. Phil. 1:9-10.
Lying
You shall
not lie to one another. Lev. 19:11; Zeph. 13:3; Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9.
Lying is
iniquity and an abomination to God. Prov. 6:16-17, 19; Prov. 12:22;
Isa. 59:2-4.
We should
pray to be delivered from lying lips that speak contemptuously
against the righteous. Psa. 31:18; Psa. 120:2.
The
righteous should hate and avoid lying. Psa. 13:5; Psa. 119:163; Prov.
13:5; Isa. 63:8; Zeph. 3:13.
Acquiring
treasures by lying is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
Prov. 21:6.
Should not
respect or keep company with those that lie. Psa. 40:4; Psa. 101:7.
It is
better to be a poor man than a liar. Prov. 19:22.
Lying is a
sign of apostasy. 2 Thes. 2:9; 1 Tim. 4:1-2.
A lie
lasts for but a moment, but truth shall be established forever. Prov.
12:19.
Lying is
an inherent attribute of the wicked. Psa. 58:3.
Punishment
and judgment for lying. Psa. 5:6; Psa. 63:11; Psa. 120:3-4; Prov.
19:5, 9; Jer. 50:36; Rev. 21:8.
Hatred
and Malice
Thou shall
not hate your brethren in your heart. Lev. 19:17; Col. 3:8; 1 John
3:15.
Wrath is a
work of the flesh. Gal. 5:20.
It is
wicked to have hatred cloaked by deceit. Prov. 10:18; Prov. 26:24-26.
Hatred
stirs up strife Prov. 10:12; Prov. 15:18.
Hatred is
inconsistent with the ways of God. 1 John 2:9, 11; 1 John 4:20.
Blessed
are you, when men shall hate you, and ostracized you, insult you, and
spurn your name as evil, for the sake of Christ. Luke 6:22.
Let none
of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor. Zech. 8:17.
Whosoever
is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of
judgment. Matt. 5:22.
Show no
malice nor desire ill will towards your brethren. Job. 31:29-30; Psa.
35:12-14; 1 Cor. 14:20; Col. 3:8.
Christian
growth requires that you set aside all malice and guile. 1 Pet 2: 1.
Malice
works as leaven and is incompatible with sincerity and truth. 1 Cor.
5:8.
There is a
time to hate. Eccl. 3:8.
Christian
liberty is not to be made a cloak for maliciousness. 1 Pet 2:16.
We should
hate those that hate God. Psa. 139:21-22.
A servant
of God is to be gentle to all men. 1 Thes. 2:7; 2 Tim. 2:24; Titus
3:2; James 3:17.
Fellowship
Christians
to be in fellowship with one another. Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 8:4; Gal.
2:9; 1 John 1:3-7.
We should
have fellowship in the gospel. Phil. 1:51 27.
We should
serve one another. Gal. 5:13.
We are not
to consent with sinners and evildoers, or walk with them, or sit down
with them. Psa. 26:5; Prov. 1: 10-15.
Do not be
unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship has
righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with
darkness. 2 Cor 6:14-17.
Where two
or three are gathered in Christ's name, He is there in the midst of
them. Matt. 18:20.
We are not
to have fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. Eph. 5:11;
Phil. 3:2;
Bad
company corrupts good habits and morals. 1 Cor. 15:33.
Christians
are to work together each using their specific talents, abilities and
ministries as one body, working towards God's will and His kingdom -
For we are God's fellow workers. 1 Cor. 3:5-11; 1 Cor. 12:4-31; Eph.
4:11-16.
We are to
be like-minded with one another according to Christ Jesus, that we
may with one mind glorify God. Rom. 15:5-6.
If any
come to you who do not have the doctrine of Christ, do not receive
him into your house nor greet him. 2 John 1:9-10.
Blessed is
the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. Psa. 1:1.
It is good
and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psa. 133:1.
With unity
and fellowship comes strength, advantages, and benefits. Eccl.
4:9-12; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-31.
Do not
keep company with fornicators, extortioners, the covetous, idolaters,
slanderers, revilers, drunkards or the wicked, or brethren who walk
contrary to God. 1 Cor. 5:9-13; 1 Cor. 10:19-20; 2 Thes. 3:6,14; 2
Tim. 3:2-5.
If we walk
in the light as Christ is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another. 1 John 1:7.
Do not
associate with a man given to anger, or go with a hot-tempered man,
lest you learn his ways. Prov. 22:24-25.
Unity
exhorted by being like-minded one toward another according to Jesus
Christ. Rom. 12:16; Rom. 15:5; 1 Cor. 1: 10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:39
13; Phil. 1:27; Phil. 2:2; 1 Pet. 3:8.
Flattery
Flatter is
not godly and is not to be used. Job. 32:21-22; Psa. 5:9; Psa.
12:2-3.
Do not
associate with those that use flattery. Prov. 7:21-27.
Speak not
with flattering words so as to please men but rather please God who
tries our heart. 1 Thes. 2:4-5.
Flattery
is a corrupting influence. Prov. 7:21-27; Dan. 11:21 32.
Beware of
those who speak many words, flattering people to gain advantage. Jude
1:16.
Punishment
for flattery. Job 17:5; Psa. 12:3.
Flattery
is a snare to those that use it. Prov. 29:5.
A
flattering mouth brings ruin. Prov. 26:28.