Romans 12:16, 2 Kings 5:1-15, Matthew 8:1-13

For Reading and Meditation:     Romans 5:1-11

We have come now to the seventh positive attitude that makes for good spiritual and mental health: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). This Beatitude seems to have a special relevance to the age through which we are passing, for if...

The natural tendency is to want to hobnob with the upper crust. In every human heart there is the lust to associate with those who are prominent, wealthy and aristocratic. So Paul's advice in Romans 12:16 really cuts across the grain of nature. He says, "Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position" (NIV). There are no castes in the Church. Christians should live above class distinctions.

A story that illustrates...

Romans 12:9-21

Our love should be sincere, "without hypocrisy," as Paul says. A hypocrite is an actor. He pretends to be what he is not. We are not to live in this way - merely pretending to love people, speaking to them kindly words - while bitterness is in our heart. Our life must be as good as our speech, our heart as...

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality … Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. § Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and...