In a sin-broken world, where all our lives are touched by the corruption, selfishness, and injustice of those who rule us, it is sweet comfort to know that the One who would establish his rule over us is righteous all the time and in every possible way. It is sweet to know that all corruption and injustice will end someday, and he will rule over us in perfect righteousness forever.
When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. Psalm 9:3 (KJV)
This is from How to Have that Difficult Conversation by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Bringing awareness is all part of how we care for each other. Remember compassion does not mean you are to be soft on the issue. Directness, clarity, and truth are necessary. But keep the balance of love and grace, too.
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1 (KJV)
This is from the book A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer
The fruit of the Spirit begins with love and includes goodness, but if we focus only on the positive traits mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 and overlook the “acts of the flesh” described in verses 19-21, we might miss an important point: Each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is also an act of resistance. To do tov requires us to resist what is not tov, what is bad and evil and corrupt. To live in the Spirit is to resist the works or acts of the flesh. Over and over, the Bible teaches us to pursue goodness and turn away from evil. “The acts of the flesh are obvious,” writes Paul, and he lists such things as sexual immorality, hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, and selfish ambition. To live of tov means resisting the sinfulness and toxicity of these acts of the flesh.
And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. Genesis 38:7 (KJV)
This is from Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
Approaching a disciplinary situation, the leader must remember five guidelines: (1) first conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry; (2) then consider the overall benefit to the work and to the individual; (3) do all in the spirit of love and in the most considerate manner; (4) always keep the spiritual restoration of the offender in view; (5) Pray it through.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (KJV)
This is from Jesus Freaks by The Voice of the Martyrs
Probuis
Roman Empire
circa 250 AD
Probius was whipped until the blood flowed, then laden with chains and thrown into prison. A few days later, he was brought out and commanded to sacrifice to the heathen gods. He knew that he would be tortured and killed if he refused. Still he courageously said:
“I come better prepared than before, for what I have suffered has only strengthened me in my resolution. Employ your whole power upon me, and you shall find that neither you, nor the Emperor, nor the gods you serve, nor even the devil, who is your father, shall compel me to worship idols.”
Probius was sent back to further tortures and eventual death by the sword.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: Matthew 5:1 (KJV)