Romans 14:7-12 ~ Christ died and lived again

Romans 14:7-12

7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God (or Christ). 11 For it is written,
‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.’
12 So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Gossip? Be you for it or agin it? The good news is not frequently in the newspaper, but the Dallas Morning News had an interesting article on gossip. 10 years ago or more, so you know I found it interesting. The article said that gossip is good because it helps us determine how people perceive each other & just like reading a book from another's perspective, we learn what irritates people and how to react. It continued, this was simply like talking to a psychologist and not having to pay for it. A problem shared has half the weight. Sharing it and talking it over releases it. Gossip is just social interaction given a bad name.

True and false. Not everyone is truthful and not everyone's perception should be a role model. Just because there is smoke, it isn't necessarily fire. I have walked on both sides of the fence of gossip and sat on it a lot. I've been lined up at the fence and fired at, justly and unjustly, because of gossip. I'll bet you have too.

I'll bet you'll relate to this: I've been labelled falsely as a gossip. I've been honored falsely as non-gossip. I've deserved both and neither. I do not bear false witness, but I've opened my mouth when it should be shut and shut it when I should have spoken.

There are times when we must share. The bible says to share one another' s burdens - knowing people can be a burden. If we must share, we should find someone who honors our trust and find someone willing to tell us; yes that is hurtful - or yes, you should have said something. Or you are being wrong and self-centered. Find someone who is willing to say the truth in love. Saying yes, I heard you say that before and it is time to let it go, forgive and move on. Sharing means determining the least amount of times repeating it and making sure it is non-invasive.

To live in community is what God planned. Proverbs tells us man sharpens man. I love the teenage language of a fist and the other hand circling it: it isn't all about us. It is especially important in Christian community, even if people are different types of people, to clearly see the bond in knowing Father God loves us.

The bible says the tongue is like a ship, we can head ourselves in two different directions

James 3:3-7

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

The other interpretation and another direction for our ship:

Romans 8:28
works together with those who love him to bring about what is good.

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