The Shepherd's Chapel —
Ofien times man makes a
religion out of a single trait of
Chris. For example, the gentleness of
Christ is sometimes portrayed too strongly
| The danger in over emphasizing the
gentleness of Christ is that we overlook
the discipline He taught. We also lose
sight of the firmness and comective measnres with which
Christ instructed us. Pationce and gentleness are good up
to a point, however, discipline in. yourself, your family
and your community is also important. You must find an
even halance of gentleness and discipline to be successful
Discipline is a key to getting things done.
Christ loves "can do" people. ‘Those that sit back and
wait for Christ to bless them just because He is so gentle
may have a long wait, On the other Tend, if you ate
a “can do” person lis blessings will be unending.
Consider your family for example, If you allow your
children fo run amuck, your family will be amck, However,
if you discipline your children, they will respect you, and.
your family will live in harmony The responsibiliiy begins
‘with you. If you sit back and do nothing. expect nothing
in refun, You will receive what you earn, Working hard
with no discipline may also be dangerous. For example
yon may work hard at two jobs, bat if you don't have
‘discipline in spending and know how to manage, you will
have nothing to show for your hard work
Christ paid an awesome price. From that comes clemency
You should thank God for clemency For as much as we
‘humans fall short of perfection. we would be bound for
a very uncomfortable place without it
|The Greck word "epickeia” pronounced (cp-ce-i )
is often translated gentleness. More often than not, it
means clemency. Clemency may be defined as that which
in your perspectne 15 just. ordered and night. You will
leafn as you grow in ‘maturity as a Christian that you
be generous in clemency toward your brethren it
fall short. You begin to realize we have Tis Word and
only by the grace of God are we all here. Within this
fone may see true Christianity. One might refer to clem-
Clemency might be beter understood, when we think
of it as moderation. For example. if you deserve punish-
‘ment, Christ would opt for a lesser punishment than what
you actually earned. But don't ever make the mistake of
ing "gentle" Tesus won't corect you when you need
Those of you that teach God's Word should be careful
| not to teach Christ's traits as too gentle. Teach Christ
| as one who shows clemency. There is a difference. Let's
search for more on this subject in God's. Word
P.O. Box 416, Gravette, AR 72736
501-787-6026
Dr, Arnold Murray, DRE
Newsletter #175 = May 1993
WCORINTHIANS 10.1 Now | Paul mysett beseech
you By the meekness and genteness of Cnet,
who in presenco am basc among you. but being
fbn! am bod foward you.
T urge those of you with a. Sirong’s
Concordance {0 find the word “gentleness”
the Greck Dictionary. Gentleness may be translated as
‘clemency." Paul is saying. in verse one that Christ is one
to show clemency. An example of this trait may be found
im John ch. 4, Christ met a woman of Samaria at Jacob's
well. He asked her for a drink, She asked Him why a
Judacan would. ask a Samaritan for a drink. He told her
if she knew who He was. she would ask Him for a drink
of the water that would give everlasting life. He told her
to go and bring her husband, The Samaritan wouan said
she had fixe previons husbands but was not married to
the man she was currently ving with.
Now. Chnst might have done what some so called
“good church people” of today would have done, He could
have told her to getaway from Him hecanse she was a
inner. In their sclfrightcousness they may have said,
he's been divorced five times and is shacking up with
some old boy now. And. are we going to let her im our
Chueh afterall of that™
Somewhere along the line things have gotten a. little
confiscd. Christians are supposed 10 make Christ avanlable
to overvone. After all God sent Christ to this world for
the sake of sinmers, There were plenty of stints where
He came from
In an act of clemency, Christ forgave the Samaritan
‘woman. He sent her (0 teach the Word, He ulilized her
to plant seeds. He forgave the woman and proved He
Ghought her worthy of His twist Paul was. siving in TI
Corinthians 10:1 let _me be as Christ to show clemency
fand not be assertive as to force myself on anyone
1 CORINTHIANS 10:2-4~ But | beseech you, that | may
Fat bebo wion ttm prosont wih Thal condoncs
Wuherewith | think tobe bold against some. which think
of us as if we waked according fo the flesh. ° For though
we Walk in the flosh, we donot war after the flesh” *
(For lee weapons of our warfare ara not carnal, but mighty
through God to tne puling down of strong holds;)
If you want to lose a war, then war ater things of
the flesh Your power is in God Beloved, that is the way
we tear up Satan's litle nest with this ministry. Not by
the power of flesh, but by the power of God
ILCORINTHIANS 105 Casting down imaginations, and
‘ovory high thing That exatetn itso aganst the knowedge
fod, and bringing info captly every thought to the
‘beclence of Christ
‘The word “inmyinaions" way be better transla weasonings.
or thoughts. In this light. Paul was saying cast down the reasonings of man and allow the power of God to see
‘you through.
W_CORINTHIANS 10:6-8 And having in @ readiness to
revenge all dsobedience, when your obedience is fufiled.
2 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?
any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him
of himself think this again, that, as he is Chris's even
0 are we Christ's. * For though’ should boast somewhat
‘more of our authority, (which the Lord hath given us for
eaiteation, and not for your destucton,) | should not be
named:
In other words, God will tear others down while He
builds you up through His power. Discipline yourself to
call on Him.
CORINTHIANS 10:10 That _! may not seem as it
would larly you By Teters, for i llters. say they
are ‘ut his ence 18 weak,
and" spoech "contempéie. oP
Some of Paul's letters were not filled with sweetness
‘and gentleness. They were tough. God's Word is not all
sweetness and gentleness either.
ILCORINTHIANS 10:11 Let such an one think this, thet,
such as we are in word by letters when we are absent,
such wil we be also in deed when we aro present.
If you think Paul's letters were tough, you should
have heard him teach. Paul is saying my sermons are
from the Word of God as my letters are founded in the
Word. If you are a teacher, don't allow your sermons to
stray from the Word of God either. If you do, you are
playing with fire
ILCORINTHIANS 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves
of the number, or compare ourselves with some that
commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves,
are not wise,
‘Measure yourself by Christ’s standards not by those
of others. It will be a humbling experience and good for
you. What brings clemency from Christ? How may you
receive Christ's clemency? By measuring yourself by Christ's
standards, realizing through honest self-analysis that you
fall short and repent. Your Father sees you daily, espe-
cially if you talk to Him. He loves you because you try
to follow His Word and He will bless you richiy. You
don't have much competition for His love these days. Talk
to your Father. Ask for forgiveness and repent. The Greck
word "epickeia” appears again in the Book of Titus, Let's
turn there.
TITUS 213-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the
aPrious, appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
ive Who gave Hansel fer us, tal ie might redeem
us from all y, and purty unto Himself a pecular
people,” zealous" of good works
Isn't that what we are all looking for? If you are
studying God's Word, 1 know you are as ready as I am.
TITUS 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke
wit al authority Let no man despise thee.
Scratch the word despise and pencil in slight. When
you are well founded in the Word of God, don't let_ any
| ‘man slight you. Don't take a back seat to anyone. This
E
is not meant in a challenging way. But, if some preacher
is teaching the traditions of man, rather than the true
Word, you should rebuke that teaching with the authority
of God
TITUS 31-2 Put them in mind to be subject to prin-
Gipalties and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready
to every good work, 2 To speak evi of no man, to be
‘no brawlers, but gentle, (eprekeia) shewing all meekness
unto al men
Principaliies and powers refers to those in heaven and
on earth. The laws of this great nation protect our rights,
We should honor and obey them according to God's Word.
In verse two Paul tells us not to speak evil of others or
quarrel with others over silly things, Panl continues on
to tell us to show clemency toward others and not to force
ourselves. or our teachings, on others
TITUS 33 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,
disobedient decewed serving divers lust and pleasures,
living in malice and envy hateful, and hating one another
We have all been there Beloved. As a result, we are
able to afford 10 show clemency to others and to forgive
each other. I want 1© cover another place where the word
“epickeia” appears in the Bible
JAMES 3:13 Who 1s a wise -nan and endued with
knowiedge among you? ‘et "him srew oul of @ good
conversation fis Works wir meekress. of wisdom,
‘Always seek out the knowledge of a wise man.
VAMES 314-15 But if ye nave biter envyng and stnfe
ip your heais, gory not. and ne ot agarns! the irath
8 This wisdom descendeth not tro” above, but 1s. earthly,
sensual, deviish
If there is envying and strife present, the wisdors is
not from God.
JAMES 3:16.17 For where envying and sinte s. there
is confusion and every evi work % But the wom that
Js fom above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, emia)
and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good truls,
without partialty, and without hypocrisy
Confusion opens the door to every devilish thing.
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