By This Will All Men Know that You are My Disciples

[Michelle Ogutu]

Good morning everyone,

I hope this email finds you well. I came across this study and i was impressed to share it with you. I pray that it will be a blessing and a lesson to us.

Reading Joshua 22:9-30 (I recommend that you go through it), it depicts so vividly how we relate with each other when there are misunderstandings. Consider how the tribe of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh responded to the accusations levied upon them. Makes me wonder, how many of us would respond with a soft answer if confronted by the same circumstances? This is what the prophet had to say:

"How often serious difficulties arise from a simple misunderstanding, even among those who are actuated by the worthiest motives; and without the exercise of courtesy and forbearance, what serious and even fatal results may follow. The ten tribes remembered how, in Achan's case, God had rebuked the lack of vigilance to discover the sins existing among them. Now they resolved to act promptly and earnestly; but in seeking to shun their first error, they had gone to the opposite extreme. Instead of making courteous inquiry to learn the facts in the case, they had met their brethren with censure and condemnation. Had the men of Gad and Reuben retorted in the same spirit, war would have been the result. While it is important on the one hand that laxness in dealing with sin be avoided, it is equally important on the other to shun harsh judgment and groundless suspicion. PP 519.4

While very sensitive to the least blame in regard to their own course, many are too severe in dealing with those whom they suppose to be in error. No one was ever reclaimed from a wrong position by censure and reproach; but many are thus driven further from the right path and led to harden their hearts against conviction. A spirit of kindness, a courteous, forbearing deportment may save the erring and hide a multitude of sins. PP 519.5

The wisdom displayed by the Reubenites and their companions is worthy of imitation. While honestly seeking to promote the cause of true religion, they were misjudged and severely censured; yet they manifested no resentment. They listened with courtesy and patience to the charges of their brethren before attempting to make their defense, and then fully explained their motives and showed their innocence. Thus the difficulty which had threatened such serious consequences was amicably settled. PP 520.1

Even under false accusation those who are in the right can afford to be calm and considerate. PP 520.2"

How often do we censure people harshly, forgetting that we are also sinners saved by grace? How often also, do those who are censured manifest resentment towards those who's motive is not to offend, but to help them?

Those who are actuated by Christ will manifest the charity that is kind and suffers long. God seeks that we should be unified and portray brotherly affection amongst each other. 

While we are not to sacrifice one principle of truth, it should be our constant aim to reach this state of unity. This is the evidence of our discipleship. PP 520.3

In John 13:35, Christ said that the evidence of being His disciples is having love for one another.

The apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 3:8,9, exhorts the church thus:

"Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

May the Lord grant us grace to practice the godliness that we preach; and put the charity that suffers long and is kind in our hearts.

Be Blessed,

Michelle Ogutu.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not" Galatians 6:9

[Ayugi Akello]

Thanks for sharing. God bless you.

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