Let’s study the Bible

Marks of a true Christian

(Read: James 2:8-13)

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

(Romans 12:10)

Living creatively for Christ in the home is the acid test for any Christian man or woman. It is far easier to live an excellent life among your friends when you are putting your best foot forward and are conscious of public opinion than it is to live for Christ in your home. Your own family circle knows whether Christ lives in you and through you.

Each believer has his or her own spiritual service to perform, but Romans 12:9-21 tell us how every Christian should behave in the family of God

Love should be honest and without hypocrisy (see 1 John 3:18). We should hate evil and cling to the good (see Psalm 97:10). Love should lead to kindness and humility, faithfulness in business, fervency in spiritual things (“fervent” here means “boiling, aglow with power”).

Notice how the characteristics mentioned in this section parallel the fruit of the Holy Spirit that Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23. Christians in the local church should care for each other and share with each other. Notice how the prayer of Romans 12:12 is fol- lowed by the care of Romans 12:13.

“Given to hospitality” is literally in the Greek “pursuing hospitality”— going after people. 1 Peter 4:9 tells us to stop complaining when we open our homes to others. Unspiritual hospitality is pictured in Proverbs 23:6-8. See also Luke 14:12-14;

1 Timothy 3:2 and 5:10; Hebrews 13:2; 3 John 5-8.

Christians have their battles as well as their blessings, and Paul instructs us how to handle those who oppose the word. We are to bless them (Matthew 5:10-12) and not curse.\

Of course, no believer should get into trouble because of wrong living (1 Peter 2:11-25). We should have sympathy (Romans 12:15) and humility (Romans 12:16), for selfishness and pride generate ill will. Christians are never to “pay back” their opponents; rather, we should wait for God to “repay” (Romans 12:19), either in this life or in the future judgment.

“Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17) suggests that the Christian lives in a “glass house” and must be aware of the scrutiny of others.

“I’m going to live my own life!” is a sinful attitude for a believer, in the light of Romans 14:7-8. People are watching us, and as much as possible, we should live peaceably with all people. Of course, we cannot compromise with sin or have a “peace at any price” attitude. The attitude and spirit of Matthew 5:38-48 will help us be “peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).

If you are a true Christian, you will not give way at home to bad temper, impatience, fault-finding, sarcasm, unkindness, suspicion, selfishness or laziness. Instead, you will reveal through your daily life the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, and all the other Christian virtues which round out a Christlike personality.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines. com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.

RSVP (RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM) OF FULTON CO. IS PLANNING 4 UPCOMING TRIPS!!

Red Rocks Train Trip

From The Rockies To The Red Rocks

September 25 - October 2, 2023

Trip highlights include 13 meals, all airport transfers, guided tour of Denver, Rocky Mountaineer train ride with glass-dome windows from Denver to Las Vegas, seeing/touring Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park, plus 2 nights in Las Vegas. Cost is $4795/person

Castles of New York • October 16-20, 2023

The cost is $925/person (based on double occupancy) and includes all lodging and transportation, 8 meals, visits to Boldt Castle, Singer Castle, Wing’s Castle, a stop at Millbrook Vineyards and Winery including wine tasting, a cruise on the St. Lawrence River, a guided tour of the New York State Capital building, and a souvenir gift. We still have seats available.

See The Hallelujah Girls at The Beef House

Saturday, October 28, 2023

This fun day trip departs from Rochester and costs $120/person. It includes transportation, a delicious meal at The Beef House, and ticket to see a performance of The Hallelujah Girls.

Christmas in Branson • December 4-7, 2023

This trip’s agenda includes all lodging and transportation, 8 meals, tickets to performances by Clay Cooper, SIX, Hamners Variety Show, and Queen Esther (at the Sights & Sounds Theater), plus stops at the Auto & Farm Museum, and the Aquarium at the Boardwalk. A $100 non-refundable deposit will hold your seat, with the balance due by Oct. 6, 2023. Trip cost = $799 (based on dbl. occ.).

Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice • March 6-12, 2024

Trip highlights include all lodging & transportation, 7 meals, guided city tour of Reykjavik, excursions to see volcanoes, waterfalls, geysers, and geothermal activity, possible Northern Lights sightings from Reykjanes Peninsula (weather permitting), entrance to the Blue Lagoon, Thingvellir National Park, and more! Call for pricing.

For information on any of these trips, contact RSVP Director Anne King at 574-223-3716