OUTLINE:

The Things We Do For Love!
For the benefit of all the people observing our daily choices, and because all men are weak in certain areas, we consider their weaknesses, even while we act in the liberty given to us by Christ.

Striving
Have you ever strove for something out of fear (love, friendship, acceptance, etc.)?

“but overcome evil with good”
This takes divine perspective to enact. This is diametrically opposed to the deepest desires of the flesh. Jesus said, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Lk 6:27). Remember, such “hearing” is a gift from God for believers only.

Willing To Be “Cut” For Others
Timothy put his own comfort aside, willing to sacrifice his own flesh, and even his own rights, for the good it might bring others. (Ac 16:3, 1Co 9:22)

“whatever you do”
This is a ubiquitous calling. Loving amidst a perverse generation of people isn’t always easy. In fact, it may be among the most difficult things we are called to do. Furthermore, we are called to do so in “whatever [we] do”.

Lk 17:1-4
That is what functional love looks like.

The “Leaky Bucket” Syndrome
Love requires maintenance. We humans have “leaky buckets” when it comes to love - the bucket can be filled up pretty quickly, but over time, it leaks out and needs more love placed into it.

It’s a sin to violate one’s conscience.

A Good Name
A good name begins with integrity to one’s good conscience. Said conscience, as a function of faith (“God has allotted to each a measure of faith” - Ro 12:3), is very personal, unique. God holds us accountable to the good conscience that He’s chosen to give to us, as individuals.

“God sees the heart, but the world sees the choices we make.”
It’s important that we understand the dynamics of living among other individuals as a part of God’s plan. We ought never judge others for stumbling; rather, we ought to focus on not being the cause. This is love. (cp Ro 12:9-18)

Ro 12:9-10
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Ro 12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

You are FREE…to Love!
God wants us not JUST to love in a way that He knows it, but to love others so that THEY know it!

God’s love is so great that He wants to save you.
THAT is the message of the Gospel.

A Good Name
Is of great prominence in the Bible, starting with the Lord’s, of course. We, too, have the opportunity to reveal His good name through us, as vessels of mercy. (cp Ro 9:23-24)

“deceit”
from dolos; a trick (bait), i.e. (figuratively) wile

Jesus On Avatars
Jesus despised phoniness, preferring to spend His time with humble, transparent, flawed (by world standards) individuals. Why? Because that is soil that receives the Gospel truth. An avatar isn’t real enough to receive the Gospel.

Being Honest With Ourselves
Time and again, Jesus told parables about humility and transparency with those who desire to love us, especially…starting with God, of course. (cp Lk 18:9-14; Mt 21:28-32)

Trust and Intimacy
Think about how much intimacy suffers when we aren’t honest with each other about ourselves.

A Believer’s Good Name
The Word states that a “good name” isn’t something we earn by cultivating an avatar. A good name is something real, like its owner. For example, the Pharisees were dishonest about themselves, preferring to project something righteous than accept righteousness in Christ.

The World Sees Our Choices
Self-righteousness discredits the Lord’s good name. To God be the glory, amen (2Pe 3:18).

A Believer’s Error
Self-righteousness is “speaking the language of the world”. The world economy of creature-credit is wholly dependent on self-righteousness. When a known believer decides to compete at that level, the message we are sending is that we are phonies.