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1 John 1 The Apostle John stated that he wrote his first epistle so that our joy in Christ may be full. But though we are now redeemed sinners, we're still prone to sin and stumble in our walk with the Lord. And this can steal our joy and hinder our fellowship with Him. Thankfully, we have God's promise that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Some of the followers of Christ expected Him to fulfill their expectations as a mighty military and political Messiah who would finally overthrow the oppressive pagan roman government. But Jesus, without giving blanket approval to human government, nevertheless held up its legitimate authority, and the responsibility of Christians to obey and submit to the civil and governing authorities. How can believers today obey the Lord's command to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and render unto God that which is God's?

Romans 12:20, 21 How do you respond when you are treated spitefully? Years ago, a young Christian soldier prayed by his bedside every night despite jeers, taunts and insults of the other soldiers in his barracks. One night after a long exhausting hike, the other soldiers threw their muddy boots at the believer as he knelt in prayer. When they awoke in the morning they found that he had cleaned and polished their boots and lined them up next to each man's bed. How can we learn to glorify the Lord in the way we respond to our enemies?

Romans 12:19 What do you do if someone suddenly thrusts a hand toward your face? You will instinctively block it or push it away. What do you do when someone hurls insults or accusations at you? You will probably have the urge to speak up in your defense or verbally attack that person. Human beings have a powerful innate desire to defend ourselves. But the people of God are commanded to respond to insult, injury, afront, accusation and persecution with patience and forbearance and trust the Lord completely for our ultimate vindication.

Romans 12:16, 18 Adam's act of disobedience against God in the garden of Eden poisoned our relationship with God and with each other. Today, sin manifests its deadly effects in all of our relationships. Millions of people live in hostility and enmity against God. Nations war against nations. Families are ravaged by divorce, abuse and adultery, and the Church has splintered into countless factions. How can the people of God recover the importance of Christian oneness, and pursue lives of peace and harmony with all men, and with the Lord?

Romans 12:13, 15, 17 A balloon will continually expand when you fill it with more and more air. The Christian who is filled with the Holy Spirit will be able to experience a life of God's continually expanding love. In the measure that God fills our hearts, He will be revealed in our every outward motion because He is in all of our inward thinking. Stay with us as Dr. Barnhouse examines six biblical exhortations that will direct us toward a spirit-filled Christian life.

Romans 12:12 If you just threw ingredients into a pot on the stove, you are more likely to make a mess instead of a meal. But if you follow the recipe, you can make a good dinner. Many believers have weak, powerless, and unsatisfying prayer lives because they do not pray according to the principles of God's Word. But if you know these biblical principles and carefully follow them, you can have a fruitful and effective prayer life. Do you make a mess of your prayer life or do you enjoy peace, power and blessing through prayer?

Romans 12:12, 14 Scripture is filled with wonderful truths and promises from God that we embrace and cherish. But there is one we tend to overlook that may not seem to be wonderful to us. The Bible plainly states that all of us who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. The Christian walk is often a difficult and confusing pilgrimage through a lost and fallen world and we will face adversity along the way. How can we learn to face adversity with biblical wisdom in a way that will please the Lord and bring honor to His name?

Romans 12:12 The English writer, William Hazlett, wrote, "Hope is the best possession; none are completely wretched but those who are without hope." As we look across our world today, we can see overwhelming despair, hopelessness, and misery in the lives of those who do not know Jesus Christ. But God has reconciled us to Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son and given us the priceless possession of confident, certain hope. Do you rejoice in the hope that is yours in Jesus Christ?

Romans 12:11 If you are meddling in someone else's affairs, they might tell you to mind your own business. But sadly, Christians often pay far too much time and attention to our own business rather than our Father's business. Once, when Jesus was a boy, Joseph and Mary searched for Him throughout Jerusalem for three days. When they fianlly found Him in the Temple discussing the things of God with religious teachers, He said, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business"? Do you share a similar passion to be about your Father's business?

Romans 12:10 Believers often sing this well known hymn, "Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above." Indeed, the fellowship that exists between true believers must reflect the love and communion that exists between God the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. Dr. Barnhouse asks the question, "Does genuine love for your brothers and sisters in Christ flow from your heart and shine forth in your life?"

Romans 12:9 In football, an elusive running back can make the other team's defense look foolish as he constantly slips from their grasp. The defense must pursue the runner, lay a hold of him, and tenaciously hold fast until they tackle him. In the Christian life, genuine goodness can be very elusive and difficult to maintain. We must learn to continually reject sin and evil and cling tenaciously to what is good in order to grow in our relationship with the Lord. Do you put love and goodness in action as a committed disciple of Jesus Christ?

Romans 12:9 The Bible declares that God is love and stresses the preeminance of love in the Christian life. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and an indispensible virtue in the life of every believer. But do you realize that hatred is just as much an attribute of God and just as much a Christian virtue as love is. God's perfect character demands a holy hatred of every manifestation of sin and evil. And if we are to reflect the character of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must hate that which is evil and which stands opposed to His holiness and righteousness.

Romans 12:9 If a man receives a new set of woodworking tools as a gift, but does not know how to use them properly he will make lopsided birdhouses and other poorly constructed projects. But an expert carpenter will know how to use his new tools to make many beautiful and useful items. God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift. But merely knowing what your gifts are and exercising them is not enough. We must always remember that the only right way to serve the Lord and others is to do so in genuine Christian love. Find out more from Dr. Donald Barnhouse.

Romans 12:8 Some congregations that might be more charasmatic might look down upon other churches and denominations for what they perceive as a lack of interest in spiritual gifts. They may not realize that a church is faithfully exercising its spiritual gifts through acts of mercy and compassion, and wise and effective management and administration of its affairs. Mercy, compassion, and church administration are not often mentoned in discussions of spiritual gifts, but they are vital to the growth and well being of the church of Jesus Christ. Dr. Barnhouse shares about these gifts on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.