how to build a genuine relationship, pt. 3

©2021 dan bulkley | ask@lifechurchco.com

how to build a genuine relationship part 3

section 1

Relationships are not built by you being right and the other wrong ii corinthians 7:12 , or even about making everything totally fair or equal matthew 20:1-16 . If you are waiting for others to be perfect or for someone else to do their fair share in order to love them, then you are setting a worldly, selfish prerequisite for building a relationship matthew 5:43-48 . This will not only frustrate you but will inhibit the building up of a loving relationship.

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supporting scriptures

ii corinthians 7:12

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

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my notes:

matthew 20:1-16

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last."

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matthew 5:43-48

"You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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section 2

We as followers of Jesus work in grace micah 6:8 hosea 6:6 because that is how God built a relationship with us i john 4:16-19 . As people, we all are and have been wrong romans 3:23 ; the only right, good One is the Lord Himself matthew 19:17 romans 3:4 . And the Lord loved us and still loves us when it is not equal romans 5:8 i john 4:10 ; thus, we should follow His example i peter 2:21 .

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supporting scriptures

micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

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hosea 6:6

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

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i john 4:16-19

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

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romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

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matthew 19:17

And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."

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romans 3:4

By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

"That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged."

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romans 5:8

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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i john 4:10

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

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i peter 2:21

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

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my notes:

section 3

Our relationships should be about how devoted you are to put the Truth into action for another’s sake romans 12:10 as love is putting the Truth to Action for someone else’s benefit ii john 1:5 i john 5:2-3 i john 3:18 . Be patient; when perfected every child of God will make that full effort like Jesus john 13:1 , making all relationships equitable ephesians 4:11-15 ii corinthians 8:13 ii corinthians 6:11-13 , but for now in our incomplete state and in a sinful world there is still the need for us to excel in love for the Lord and for each other i thessalonians 4:1 i thessalonians 4:9-10 . Therefore, equality should not be our goal, but perfection of love on our own part should be ii corinthians 13:11 ii corinthians 7:1 .

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supporting scriptures

romans 12:10

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

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ii john 1:5

And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.

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i john 5:2-3

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

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i john 3:18

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

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john 13:1

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

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ephesians 4:11-15

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

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ii corinthians 8:13

For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness

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ii corinthians 6:11-13

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

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i thessalonians 4:1

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

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my notes:

i thessalonians 4:9-10

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more

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ii corinthians 13:11

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

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ii corinthians 7:1

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

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my notes:

section 4

Our hope and aim in relationships is not to have it necessarily equal ii corinthians 12:14 , but rather responsive ii corinthians 12:15 ii corinthians 13:9 . We ourselves should aim to respond rightly to the Lord proverbs 1:23 proverbs 3:32 , thereby enabling us to exemplify, teach and train others to respond to Him as well psalm 51:12-13 .

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supporting scriptures

ii corinthians 12:14

Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

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ii corinthians 12:15

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

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ii corinthians 13:9

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.

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proverbs 1:23

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

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proverbs 3:32

for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

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psalm 51:12-13

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

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section 5

Sure, it takes two to have a relationship. A genuine relationship takes at least one who is loving, and then it takes the other to respond agreeably to that love in the truth for the loving relationship to actually exist amos 3:3 romans 12:2 john 3:33 james 1:21 . To not respond favorably or truthfully is to deny love and to cut off the relationship romans 10:21 isaiah 59:1-2 , thereby making yourself hostile to true love isaiah 65:12 colossians 1:21 romans 8:7 . Even a hesitant responsiveness to love shows a selfish isolation pursuing only one’s own self which causes separation in the relationship song of solomon 5:2-8 . Responsiveness to Truth and Love is so key to godly, genuine relationships.

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supporting scriptures

amos 3:3

"Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

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romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

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john 3:33

Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.

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james 1:21

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

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romans 10:21

But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."

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isaiah 59:1-2

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

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isaiah 65:12

I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in."

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colossians 1:21

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

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romans 8:7

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

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my notes:

song of solomon 5:2-8

I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking. "Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night."

3 I had put off my garment; how could I put it on? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them?

4 My beloved put his hand to the latch, and my heart was thrilled within me.

5 I arose to open to my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the bolt.

6 I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer.

7 The watchmen found me as they went about in the city; they beat me, they bruised me, they took away my veil, those watchmen of the walls.

8 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love.

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my notes:

section 6

Relationships by their very nature are two sided no matter how much love one side may have. It is for this very reason the Lord in His grace does not demand perfection in our relationship with Him but still seeks responsiveness to His love jeremiah 18:2-12 . This is so that He may in Truth hosea 6:4 hosea 7:13 isaiah 5:1-4 show all the more love when the relationship becomes at the very least responsive hosea 2:14-23 i john 1:9 and in step with each other galatians 5:25 matthew 11:28-30 . And so, it should be with us as well i john 2:6 . We should pursue mutual love romans 1:12 romans 14:19 , but understand that mutual relationships are not grown in the soil of equality and fairness but in the soil of self-sacrifice romans 1:11 romans 5:6 i peter 2:19-3:8 .

my notes:

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supporting scriptures

jeremiah 18:2-12

"Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words." 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. 11 Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the LORD, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.’

12 "But they say, That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’

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hosea 6:4

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.

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hosea 7:13

Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me.

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isaiah 5:1-4

Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.

2 He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.

4 What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?

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hosea 2:14-23

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

15 And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.

16 "And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’ 17 For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. 18 And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. 19 And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.

21 "And in that day I will answer, declares the LORD, I will answer the heavens, and they shall answer the earth,

22 and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they shall answer Jezreel,

23 and I will sow her for myself in the land. And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, You are my people’; and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’"

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i john 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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galatians 5:25

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

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matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

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i john 2:6

whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

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romans 1:12

that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

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romans 14:19

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

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romans 1:11

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you

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romans 5:6

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

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i peter 2:19-3:8

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

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my notes:

section 7

God’s own sacrifice is how He won our sinful, selfish hearts titus 2:11-14 . He did not simply give commands, but demonstrated love again and again, never forsaking Truth galatians 2:5 , but acting upon it with concern for us and our relationship with Him ephesians 5:25-27 while undercutting ii corinthians 11:11-15 all the adversarial suitors genesis 4:7 john 10:10 that would separate us galatians 4:17 from Truth, Life and Love ezekiel 14:4-5 ii corinthians 11:2-3 so that we would not hate Him and love another proverbs 8:36 lesser, insufficient, life-taking relationship matthew 6:24 .

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supporting scriptures

titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

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galatians 2:5

to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

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ephesians 5:25-27

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

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ii corinthians 11:11-15

And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

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genesis 4:7

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it."

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john 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

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galatians 4:17

They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.

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ezekiel 14:4-5

Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, 5 that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols.

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my notes:

ii corinthians 11:2-3

For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

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proverbs 8:36

but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."

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matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

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my notes:

section 8

Requirements and prerequisites shame and burden zephaniah 3:18 . Demands and obligations dishearten and frustrate colossians 3:21 ephesians 6:4 . Rules enslave galatians 4:9-10 and mortify the heart ii corinthians 3:6 . While on the other hand, love in the truth is the only influential engine that vivifies a heart to respond to the lover ii corinthians 5:14-15 zephaniah 3:17 . Yes, commands define what love is and explain how true relationship exists romans 7:7 , and yes, many do not want a real relationship and do not want actual love. Even so, commands in and of themselves do not give life to a relationship romans 7:5 , but actually kill it romans 7:10 . The knowledge of commands is only useful to those who want a relationship i timothy 1:8 joshua 24:15 , for we as sinful people need to learn how to truly, lovingly relate to God and each other i timothy 1:9-11 . But commands, rules, regulations are not a replacement for love. They only reveal our lack of love and need for it romans 7:13 galatians 3:24 . While a heart full of love not only willingly obeys God’s commands, but supernaturally carries them out from the heart i john 4:7 galatians 5:14 .

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supporting scriptures

zephaniah 3:18

I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.

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colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

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ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

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galatians 4:9-10

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

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ii corinthians 3:6

who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

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ii corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

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zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

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romans 7:7

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."

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romans 7:5

For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.

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romans 7:10

The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me

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i timothy 1:8

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,

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joshua 24:15

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

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i timothy 1:9-11

understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

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romans 7:13

Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

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galatians 3:24

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

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i john 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

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galatians 5:14

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

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section 9

Truth in action, LOVE, is what actually draws a selfish heart out of its own self proverbs 19:22 into the delight of relationship with God and others psalm 16:2-11 . Remember, when you have sincerely obeyed the Truth your life will be about others’ benefit i corinthians 10:23-24 i corinthians 8:1-3 , even if they have yet to deeply understand the love God has for us to participate in ephesians 3:16-19 i peter 1:22 . Check yourself romans 12:3 . Is that your heart towards those you love? Is that how you are pursuing relationships? If not, then why be surprised when others do not respond favorably to your efforts to connect? Continue to grow in love and see what that effects in your relationships.

supporting scriptures

proverbs 19:22

What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.

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my notes:

psalm 16:2-11

I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

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i corinthians 10:23-24

"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

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i corinthians 8:1-3

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

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ephesians 3:16-19

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

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i peter 1:22

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

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romans 12:3

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

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