Reconciling Stories

I went over the notes I made from Colossians through 3 John, with a smattering from Ephesians. What I was looking for were verses that spoke about:

Loving one another, working together, the kinds of work we are supposed to be doing together as Christians, the kinds of strife-filled conduct we are to avoid and the kind of loving contact we are to emulate.

My personal belief is that sexual minorities seeking a relationship with Jesus, coming to know God and the Holy Spirit and contributing to the life of the Church are doing what we are taught to do.

Those in the Church who seek to exclude sexual minorities from participation in the life of the Church are creating strife, which we are called to work against. Our enemies are not one another, our enemy is the Adversary, and we are to fight him, not each other.

I don’t think the onus is on sexual minorities to prove that they are loved and accepted. I think the onus is on the people causing division, contention, struggles, and strife to stop what they are doing and become more inclusive because those actions are prohibited far more frequently than references to homosexuality are even made.

To illustrate that point, here’s a list (from notes I made to myself for a different purpose) of qualities/characteristics mentioned in the New Testament that we are to emulate, and ones we are to avoid (pardon my idiosyncratic capitalization, punctuation, verb tenses, etc.):

We are to emulate: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control. Reverence, Wisdom, Understanding, Courage, Knowledge, Wonder, Right Judgment (from Isaiah). Comfort, Fellowship (with God and Brethren), Confidence, Consolation, Affection, Meekness, Humility, Obedience, Longing (for Brethren), Righteousness from God by Faith, Pressing On, Forgetting those Things which are Behind and Reaching Forward to those Things which are Ahead, Beloved (Brethren), Be Anxious for Nothing, Prayer, Supplication, Thanksgiving. Meditate on Things which are: True, Just, Pure, Lovely, of Good Report, Praiseworthy. And You Who Once Were Alienated And Enemies In Your Mind By Wicked Works, Yet Now HE Has Reconciled. Encouraged. Knit Together in Love. Tender Mercies. Bearing with One Another, and Forgiving One Another. Singing. Giving Thanks. Speech with Grace. Exhort. Aspire to Lead a Quiet Life. Mind (Our) Own Business. Be Sober. Pure Heart, Good Conscience, Sincere Faith. Hospitable. Integrity / Compassion. Willing To Yield. Patient. Pray Earnestly. Honor All People. Fear God. (Be) Chaste. (Be) Tenderhearted, Courteous, Not Returning Evil For Evil. Refrain Tongue from Evil. Turn Away From Evil and Do Good. Seek Peace and Pursue It. Casting Our Care Upon God. Virtue, Perseverance. Repentance. Steadfastness. Forbearance. Diligence, Fervent in Spirit, Rejoicing in Hope, Patient in Tribulation, Continuing Steadfastly in Prayer. Bless Those Who Persecute Me. Being Persecuted Endure. Being Defamed Entreat. Love Edifies.

We are to avoid: (Being) Terrified by (Our) Adversaries. Complaining, Disputing. False Humility. Anger, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language out of (Our) Mouth. Lies. Hatred, Contentions, Jealousies, Outbursts of Wrath, Selfish Ambitions, Dissentions. Conceited, Provoking. Being Past Feeling. Bitterness. Whispering, Backbiting. Violent, Undiscerning, Untrustworthy, Unmerciful, Approving of Those who do the Same. Not Obeying the Truth. Obeying Unrighteousness, Indignation, Wrath, Tribulation and Anguish. Wrath, Doubting. Greedy. Quarrelsome. Covetous. Quick Tempered. Foolish and Ignorant Disputes. Strife. Boasting, Proud, Disobedient, Unthankful, Unloving, Unforgiving, Slandering, Brutal, Headstrong. Speaking Evil of (Anyone). Foolish, Envy, Hateful, Hating One Another. Foolish Disputes, Contentions. Partiality, Hypocrisy. Self-Seeking. Boasting. Arrogance. Grumbling Against One Another. Presumptuous, Self-Willed, Bringing Reviling Accusations, Speaking Evil of the Things (We) Do Not Understand. Forsaking the Right Way and Going Astray. Speaking Great Swelling Words of Emptiness. Turning from the Holy Commandment Delivered to (Us). Scoffing. Willfully Forgetting. Do Not Avenge (Ourselves). Behave Rudely. Dishonor. Deceit.

Anyway, here are some verses I found encouraging us to tolerate one another, avoid strife, and work together in different ways. I (****ed) the ones I particularly like. Many of the quotes are long, but there are gems inside.

***For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

***Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving of one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4: 29-32

*For though we walk in the flesh we do not walk according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but might in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Do you look at things according to their outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed. 2 Corinthians 3-5; 7-8

***And you who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled. Colossians 1:21

*But now you yourselves are to put off all of these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Colossians 3:8

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:12-16

***For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophesies. Test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Thessalonians 5:9-23

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8

***If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who supposed godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 1 Timothy 6:3-6

***But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

***For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

***But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2

****In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, sound incorruptibility; sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say to you.*****  Titus 2:7-8

***But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self condemned. Titus 2:9-11

… to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all men. Titus 3:2

*Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. Hebrews 12:14-15

***So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19

***If anyone among you thinks he is righteous, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. James 1:26

***But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grape vine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:8-13

***But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable; gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits; without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18

***Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge one another? James 4:10-12

***Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9

(This is how we are meant to work together):  Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:13-16

Therefore, having laid aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:1

**For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men – as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. 1 Peter 2:15-17

****Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For, “He who would love life / And see good days / Let him refrain his tongue from evil / And his lips from speaking deceit / Let him turn away from evil and do good / Let him seek peace and pursue it / For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous / And his ears are open to their prayers / But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake; you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear, having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed**** . 1 Peter 3:8-16 (Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it, as they say)

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 1 Peter 4:16

***Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:6-9

***But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self control, to self control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is short sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed of his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-11

*But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:11

***And this is His commandment; that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.*** 1 John 3:23-24

****Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at this time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has sent for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this; that we may
have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:7-21

***Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?*** 1 John 5:1-4

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 1 John 5:9

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:12

***And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

***This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 2 John 1:6

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4