Get Fit: Others Matter

2015-01-11 
Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Last week, we talked about getting fit spiritually. Let me take a moment to refresh your memory on the elements required to be fit spiritually.

1. Avoiding Sin
2. Worship
3. Pursuing God
4. God’s Word

We began a year long effort to memorize God’s Word for what it can and will do in our hearts, lives and church. Let’s look at that verse again.

Psa. 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. 

Today, let’s talk about Getting Fit in our relationships. The first step in putting our relationships in order is getting our own lives in order. That’s why we talked about the spiritual element last week. A natural result or consequence of being fit spiritually is that our relationships will be stronger, but only if we put into practice what we have learned from pursuing God.

1Pet. 3:8 (NKJV)
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

1. Care about their feelings as much as your own

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

2. Respond in a God-honoring way

9  Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

3. Be honest and uplifting

10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

4. Know that good relationships take work

11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

5. God honors those who honor Him

12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”