Man’s Relationship with Others

MEMORY VERSE: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” —Romans 12:9,10

EPHESIANS 4:25-32; JAMES 2:8-10,14-17

OUR memory verse sums up the key thought of this lesson: the proper relationship of one Christian to another, and to those in the outside world. And it is well to note that the various passages of Scripture cited for the lesson are addressed to Christians, not to the outside world. Not until the kingdom of Christ is operating throughout the earth will the world of mankind in general learn to appreciate these high standards of conduct in their relations with one another.

In the days of the Early Church, the heathen Gentile world had very low standards of justice and righteousness in their dealings with one another. New converts to the Christian faith would not at once rise above the standards which once seemed to be acceptable, hence the need of admonitions such as Paul gives in his letter to the Ephesian brethren. It would seem strange now to write to dedicated Christians and admonish them not to lie and steal and doubtless those early Christians soon overcame these habits.

Our love is to be without dissimulation; that is, sincere. Those who have a sincere love for others will neither lie nor steal from them. They will want to put away “all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, … with all malice.” They will be “kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake” has forgiven them.

There are occasions in the Christian’s life for righteous indignation, but never any proper excuse for harboring ill will. We are not to let the sun go down on our wrath; that is, any resentment or indignation we may have over the events of today is not to be carried over into the new day. These are but temporary situations, and should not be allowed to engender bitterness in our hearts.

Corrupt communications are very much out of place for the Christian. We should instead, endeavor to edify those with whom we communicate. This is done through making known to them the glorious things found in the Word of God, and encouraging them to rejoice in the promises of God. In this way we “minister grace to the hearers,” and such a ministry reacts to our own upbuilding in Christ.

In our lesson Paul says that we are “sealed” by the Spirit. We are also begotten and anointed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the holy power of God that influences and directs our lives in the Christian way of sacrifice. We are led by that Spirit, but if we resist the Spirit’s leadings it will result in what Paul speaks of as a grieving of the Spirit. No truly consecrated Christian will want to do this, but instead, will endeavor to carry out the terms of consecration day by day with zeal and determination. Thus we will be pleasing to God, and not be resisting his influence in our lives.

James refers to the commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” as “the royal law.” The first four of The Ten Commandments set forth man’s responsibility toward God, and Moses summed up the meaning of these as being a supreme love for God. (Deut. 6:5) The last six commandments pertain to man’s relationship to man, and Moses sums up the meaning of these in the commandment which James refers to as “the royal law.”—Lev. 19:18

James states that if we keep this royal law we do well. Then, he explains, we will not show favoritism in our dealings with others, nor discriminate against those who may not be particularly pleasing to us according to the flesh.

Actually, of course, the Christian is under a higher law than The Ten Commandments—we have made a covenant with the Lord by sacrifice, and are to lay down our lives for the brethren. This is indeed a high standard, and living up to it means to walk in a narrow way.

QUESTIONS

When will the world in general learn to appreciate the high standards of righteousness set forth in the Bible?

Will dedicated Christians lie and steal?

Explain what it means to “grieve” the Spirit.

What is “the royal law,” and how is it related to Christian conduct?

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