The main concern of the bible is to help us deal with sin, our greatest problem. However, we can say that most, if not all emotional problems, come as a result of sin, us doing things to others or them doing things to us. This would exclude emotional problems caused by physical conditions.

First, God provides forgiveness to us, through Jesus, that we might come into relationship with Him. No longer are our sins to be held against us, but He graciously forgives us as we respond to His word.

ACT 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified."
ACT 2:37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
ACT 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If God forgives us, then we should not hold these sins against ourselves or each other.

Sometimes though, our sins, although forgiven, have continuing consequences. Some may continue to respond to us in anger or neglect or some other sinful way. This might cause us great emotional pain although we are forgiven.

But even in these cases, God helps us by allowing us to take our burdens to Him in prayer and giving us other Christians to help us bear these burdens.

PHI 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

GAL 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
GAL 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

Finally, even after becoming a Christian, we often stumble and go back to sin. Here, God blesses us with His continued mercy as we turn from our sins, confess them to Him, and ask for His forgiveness. We can continue to grow and improve, learning His word and responding to it in our lives.

1JO 1:5 ¶ And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
1JO 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
1JO 1:7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

ROM 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
ROM 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect

 

 

When God created us, He instilled a need for fellowship with others into our lives. When He saved us, He also infused into the deepest part of our souls a need for fellowship with others who have experienced God's grace. Therefore, each of us need to find a church that preaches and teaches the Bible as God's word. We need to find a group of people who have come to know Christ and can help us to get to know Him better.

I know that all churches have problems. There's no perfect church because churches are made of imperfect people. However, the church is to be an assembly of those who have come to the cross. It's not a showcase for saints, but rather a hospital for sinners. It's where we go to get our lives mended. It's a nursery that provides an atmosphere for spiritual growth. We first feast on the milk of God's word. As we grow we are more able to digest the meat of the Scriptures.

We learn to clothe ourselves with the whole armor of God as we face the battles of life. We are able to hear the word of God and interact with others who have heard and experienced the same great truths. The bottom line is that a good strong Bible believing church will provide the atmosphere to become all that God intended us to become. We grow. We give. We become - all that God desires for us to become.

Fellowship with other believers is as necessary to spiritual health and life as water is to a fish; air to a bird; and food to every human being. Without it, we would soon die. I've watched many Christians wither on the vine and die spiritually because they decided that they didn't need the fellowship of other Christians any longer. Perhaps they were hurt by another believer. Or maybe they disagreed with someone in their church. They may have even seen much hypocrisy in the lives of Christians. However, forsaking fellowship with other believers is no solution to all of the above circumstances. It does no good to anyone. If we aren't comfortable with the group of believers with whom we are meeting, then we need to find another group of Bible believing Christians and grow with them. Fellowship with other Christians isn't just an option for Christian growth. It's a necessity.

 

 Sorry I know I have fallen behind in the bible study...But I will catch up now that Beth is better..she may get to go home this monday...so I will be posting more.

This is a wonderful study, thouroughly enjoying Gods word!!!

It is important to see good in others, it helps us love them as they are!

In spite of sin , we aught to look at others as people who love the Lord.

We all have issues in our lives, but those are between God and ourselves.

If sin is shared with others we do not need to judge them , that is Gods job.

Our job is to love them, add encouragement, and see them through their trials.

I would not personally like it if I was judged by others, and left out in the dark.

We need the love and acceptance that God supplies, if we cannot give the love, then we should take it before God and get an attitude change. For God loved us while we were still sinners,

and He has given us the power to do the same.

                                                                                        With Love in Christ, Elaine