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Articles
Rip His Face Off His Head
I was talking with a brother earlier this week and he related an interesting story that he witnessed. He was telling about how 2 brethren were in a very ugly fight and dispute. He describes how one of the brothers was acting toward the other, very livid, vehement, waving his arms, being very agitated, he said the fellow seemed like he was Aready to rip his face off his head. I was talking with another brother and he made the observation that some brethren have not figured out the that the church is not a Aboxing match. Some seem to act like we have to Aboxing match@ to slash and shred others, ready to rip their faces off their heads. But Jesus did command us, AA new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35. One of the verses on the qualifications of elders, listed in I Tim.3:3, ANot given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; Not a striker, not a brawler, the very attitudes these brothers spoke about this week, that they have seen and witnessed in the misbehavior of brethren. Being out of control, losing your temper, verbally being vicious, acting like you are going to rip the face off your brother's head, is not exactly what Jesus had in mind when he talked about the new commandment of loving one another. Qualities described in 2 Tim.2:24-25a, AAnd the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. or like in Col.3:12-14 APut on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Now these are the kinds of attitudes involved in brotherly love. They are areas in our lives that we can constantly be working on & improving as we go along life's journey, as we strive to go to heaven.
