The Fool Who Would Be Holy

The Apostle Paul approved of arbitration of disputes between Christians by other believers

Ian Johnson January 15, 2025 0 Comments

The theme of this installment is a question Paul asked the church in Corinth: While the process Jesus described in Matthew 18:15-20 (see previous series of installments) is the ideal procedure, the one most likely to produce reconciliation–which is the goal of all such procedures–the New Testament is not rigidly inflexible in demanding that only this procedure be used. As…
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choosing not to forgive, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God was never our enemy, Love each other, Must Trust God to Enter, Quarrels, Reconciliation, Refusing to hear, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, The Kingdom of the Heavens, Trusting sight over God's words, What is sin?

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Other People Were Affected, Too—The Lord’s “Other Servants”

Ian Johnson January 14, 2025 0 Comments

But the damage didn’t stop with the Unforgiving Servant and the Unforgiven Servant. The Lord’s “other servants” were also affected. Matthew 18:23-24 (WEB) Recall how the matter started. The Lord was settling accounts with his “servants,” plural, when one servant with a huge debt was brought before him. That servant begged the Lord for mercy, and the Lord gave him…
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choosing not to forgive, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, Quarrels, What is sin?

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Hear the Unjust Judge: Pray and Don’t Give Up

Ian Johnson January 12, 2025 0 Comments

In praying for the good of all of the people important to my world, and all those God has made me aware of–who have my attention for a purpose God knows–doesn’t there come a time when I can simply decide to stop praying because it’s simply no use? Assuming that God (not other people) has not directly told me to…
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choosing not to forgive, Prayer for others, What is sin?

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Pray for all people, for everyone who is important in my world

Ian Johnson January 8, 2025 0 Comments

Paul told Timothy to pray for “all people.” He said to pray for them–not against them–so that we may live in peace. He emphasized that he meant to pray for everybody by including “kings,” by implication including the Roman Emperor, who at that time was the despicable Nero. If I am thinking about you, I should be praying for you.

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Parts of doing good: love, affection, honor, prayer, hospitality, caring for each other’s needs, preferring each other

Ian Johnson January 6, 2025 0 Comments

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

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What Should I Do when Other Christians Tell me Not to Pray for Them?

Ian Johnson January 5, 2025 0 Comments

When other believers reject me so completely that they order me not to pray for them, this doesn’t change what God tells me to do for them. I should continue doing good to them, as the opportunity presents itself. Galatians 6:7-10. This includes praying for them.

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A Visit with the Second Servant in Debtors’ Prison

Ian Johnson January 2, 2025 0 Comments

Links: This post read as a YouTube video. Full playlist for this series. Remember the other servant? The one the Unforgiving Servant threw in prison instead of showing him mercy? I thought so. Most people don’t. I know nearly everyone thinks this story is only about the relationship between the Lord and the Unforgiving Servant. That’s why it is usually…
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Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God is Love, God's rationality, Parables, Restoration of our Relationships, The Kingdom of the Heavens, The Problem of Evil, Through Jesus

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A Visit with the Unforgiving Servant on the Rack. What did he Still Owe?

Ian Johnson January 1, 2025 0 Comments

Links: This post read as a You Tube video. Full playlist for this series. We now continue with the story of the first servant—the one whose Lord forgave him an astronomically large debt, but who then wouldn’t forgive his fellow servant a debt of three months’ wages. While the two servants were the only parties to the debt, they were…
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choosing not to forgive, Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, God is Love, God's rationality, Love each other, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, The Kingdom of the Heavens, The Problem of Evil, Uncategorized, What is sin?

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Is Infinite Forgiveness shown to Us by God? Are We Supposed to Do the Same?

Ian Johnson December 31, 2024 0 Comments

Links: This post read as a YouTube video . Full playlist for this series. The next part of Jesus’ discussion of forgiveness in Matthew 18 asks the question “is infinite forgiveness shown to us by God. and are we supposed to do the same?” Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me,…
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choosing not to forgive, forgiveness and mercy, God is Love, God was never our enemy, Reconciliation, The Kingdom of the Heavens, What is sin?

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“If two of you shall agree on earth” refers to the reconciliation procedure

Ian Johnson December 29, 2024 0 Comments

Jesus’ promise to answer prayers made by any two believers who are in agreement is a part of his discussion on reconciliation of offenses. Strictly, it applies to prayers made as a result of reconciliation. This underscores the importance of reconciliation between believers to Jesus.

choosing not to forgive, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God is Love, In the Church, Love each other, Meaning of Unity, refusal to repent, Refusing to hear, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, To live in unity, What is sin?

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The Apostle Paul approved of arbitration of disputes between Christians by other believers

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Other People Were Affected, Too—The Lord’s “Other Servants”

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Hear the Unjust Judge: Pray and Don’t Give Up

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Pray for all people, for everyone who is important in my world

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Parts of doing good: love, affection, honor, prayer, hospitality, caring for each other’s needs, preferring each other

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A Visit with the Second Servant in Debtors’ Prison

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