RIGHTEOUS GOALS
Let all bitterness and indignation and
wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling
(brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous
language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any
kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate,
understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God
in Christ forgave you.
I'm not sure if it's really correct to call ridding self of evil and replacing the evil with love, kindness and compassion, a "goal". I say this because we cannot even begin to do these things, we can only allow them to be done in us by the Holy Spirit. If we could accomplish them ourselves, then the Mosaic Law would have sufficed and we wouldn't have needed a High Priest (Jesus) Who could offer Himself once for us and satisfy the debt for our sin--forever. I guess that's why Paul says, "let all..." because it is a choice that we make to allow the Spirit to reign in us, to accomplish the perfecting work of God. We don't have to--we can continue to be mean, bitter, and filled with malice, if we want to; we do have that option, too.
At no time, since God created man, was he ever without the will to choose--he could obey God, or disobey God. It has always been up to man. God has never (nor will He ever, in this world) force men and women to serve Him. It's optional. Of course, when you know that in the end, "every knee is going to bow" anyway, it seems worthwhile to check out this King to Whom you will bow eventually, no matter who you are and how you have lived your life. I would rather bow before the King of Kings in peace--if at all possible; wouldn't you?
He is real, and He offers us a supernatural hope, right now. It isn't about tangible things or promises of getting everything you want, or never being sick or having problems. What God offers mankind is so much greater and way more valuable--but we are so finite in our vision. Our treasure is so earthly and carnal, that we can't grasp the eternal treasure that He is offering us! God wants to give you a transformation of your heart--He wants to give you something that will allow you to go through the storms of this life, without being destroyed, still having peace. He wants you to know great love--even when no person is present. He wants to empower you to rest even in the presence of chaos, when everybody else is worried and anxious. He does that for His children--those who really know Him, and trust Him for more than the "fishes and the loaves".
God also will remove from your heart bitterness and resentment from past hurts, your bad temper, a brawling tendency, evil-speaking, abusive language, spite and ill-will, because not only do those things displease Him, but they harm you. These things affect man spiritually, emotionally and even physically. Many illnesses of the heart, and stress-related diseases have been traced back to a steady diet of unforgiveness and bitterness. It is not possible to feed on these things, and be well.
When He removes those things from your heart, the other part of the transformation takes place--it's like cardiac surgery where they remove badly damaged arteries and replace them with healthy ones from someone's leg. God replaces the evil things that were destroying your heart and soul, with love. A heart that is truly renewed by God and transformed to love, will be kind [1 Corinthians 13:4], compassionate [Luke 10:33-35] and forgiving [Luke 17:1-5], just like Jesus.
There will be no desire to offend, and if we do offend, we will do what it takes to restore our relationship with those we have offended (and not let pride get in the way of the restoration)--maybe asking as many as seven times in one day (really, as many times as necessary). And, your brother must forgive you as many times as you ask. In fact, he must forgive--even when the offender doesn't ask; everyone knows it's easier, much easier when offenders do "repent" and ask not only God, but those they offend.
The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us--who choose Him, to give us the power to be like Jesus, walking in love--preferring one another. This pleases Him.
It's totally up to you.
THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their
father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as
Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God
[for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. [Ephesians 4:31,32;5:1,2]
I'm not sure if it's really correct to call ridding self of evil and replacing the evil with love, kindness and compassion, a "goal". I say this because we cannot even begin to do these things, we can only allow them to be done in us by the Holy Spirit. If we could accomplish them ourselves, then the Mosaic Law would have sufficed and we wouldn't have needed a High Priest (Jesus) Who could offer Himself once for us and satisfy the debt for our sin--forever. I guess that's why Paul says, "let all..." because it is a choice that we make to allow the Spirit to reign in us, to accomplish the perfecting work of God. We don't have to--we can continue to be mean, bitter, and filled with malice, if we want to; we do have that option, too.
At no time, since God created man, was he ever without the will to choose--he could obey God, or disobey God. It has always been up to man. God has never (nor will He ever, in this world) force men and women to serve Him. It's optional. Of course, when you know that in the end, "every knee is going to bow" anyway, it seems worthwhile to check out this King to Whom you will bow eventually, no matter who you are and how you have lived your life. I would rather bow before the King of Kings in peace--if at all possible; wouldn't you?
He is real, and He offers us a supernatural hope, right now. It isn't about tangible things or promises of getting everything you want, or never being sick or having problems. What God offers mankind is so much greater and way more valuable--but we are so finite in our vision. Our treasure is so earthly and carnal, that we can't grasp the eternal treasure that He is offering us! God wants to give you a transformation of your heart--He wants to give you something that will allow you to go through the storms of this life, without being destroyed, still having peace. He wants you to know great love--even when no person is present. He wants to empower you to rest even in the presence of chaos, when everybody else is worried and anxious. He does that for His children--those who really know Him, and trust Him for more than the "fishes and the loaves".
God also will remove from your heart bitterness and resentment from past hurts, your bad temper, a brawling tendency, evil-speaking, abusive language, spite and ill-will, because not only do those things displease Him, but they harm you. These things affect man spiritually, emotionally and even physically. Many illnesses of the heart, and stress-related diseases have been traced back to a steady diet of unforgiveness and bitterness. It is not possible to feed on these things, and be well.
When He removes those things from your heart, the other part of the transformation takes place--it's like cardiac surgery where they remove badly damaged arteries and replace them with healthy ones from someone's leg. God replaces the evil things that were destroying your heart and soul, with love. A heart that is truly renewed by God and transformed to love, will be kind [1 Corinthians 13:4], compassionate [Luke 10:33-35] and forgiving [Luke 17:1-5], just like Jesus.
There will be no desire to offend, and if we do offend, we will do what it takes to restore our relationship with those we have offended (and not let pride get in the way of the restoration)--maybe asking as many as seven times in one day (really, as many times as necessary). And, your brother must forgive you as many times as you ask. In fact, he must forgive--even when the offender doesn't ask; everyone knows it's easier, much easier when offenders do "repent" and ask not only God, but those they offend.
The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us--who choose Him, to give us the power to be like Jesus, walking in love--preferring one another. This pleases Him.
It's totally up to you.
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