Living With Our Imperfections Working on our imperfections through our thoughts, speech, and behavior.

Introduction With great glory God’s faithful will leave this world, translated into perfection with all the saints. We must live in this world with all our imperfections among the saints. God’s wisdom and test of our faith demands that we strive – in unity – for perfection.

With great glory God’s faithful will leave this world, translated into perfection with all the saints.

We must live in this world with all our imperfections among the saints.

God’s wisdom and test of our faith demands that we strive – in unity – for perfection.

Introduction While we strive for unity, however, we are continually beset by the very flaws we wish to rid: Pride, jealousy, envy, selfishness, covetousness, etc. It is because we live in the flesh that we struggle in our relationships here on earth – even with those we are striving to be with for eternity.

While we strive for unity, however, we are continually beset by the very flaws we wish to rid:

Pride, jealousy, envy, selfishness, covetousness, etc.

It is because we live in the flesh that we struggle in our relationships here on earth – even with those we are striving to be with for eternity.

Introduction It is important, therefore, that we take a sobering look at our hearts: What are our thoughts for or against each other. How do we speak about and/or toward each other. What do we do for or against each other.

It is important, therefore, that we take a sobering look at our hearts:

What are our thoughts for or against each other.

How do we speak about and/or toward each other.

What do we do for or against each other.

Our Thoughts Toward Each Other As a man thinks in his heart, so he is . Prov. 23:7 While our thoughts do not always manifest itself outwardly…they do reveal the kind of hearts we possess. Matt. 15:19-20a Conversely, we need to dwell anything worthy of praise. Phil. 4:8

As a man thinks in his heart, so he is . Prov. 23:7

While our thoughts do not always manifest itself outwardly…they do reveal the kind of hearts we possess. Matt. 15:19-20a

Conversely, we need to dwell anything worthy of praise. Phil. 4:8

Our Thoughts Toward Each Other Thus, our thoughts must be centered around the love we have before God and others. Because we live in the flesh we must work diligently against the flesh. Cp. 1 Cor. 13:4-7 We need to have a spirit of patience before patience is manifested. We need a spirit of kindness, longsuffering, etc… thinking the best of/in others.

Thus, our thoughts must be centered around the love we have before God and others.

Because we live in the flesh we must work diligently against the flesh. Cp. 1 Cor. 13:4-7

We need to have a spirit of patience before patience is manifested.

We need a spirit of kindness, longsuffering, etc… thinking the best of/in others.

Our Speech Toward Each Other Out of the abundance of the heart a man speaks. Lk. 6:45 Those with a good and noble heart (Speak the truth and sincerity). Those with a good heart speak openly and forthrightly. Some, to hide an evil heart, speak words of hypocrisy. Prov. 23:7

Out of the abundance of the heart a man speaks. Lk. 6:45

Those with a good and noble heart (Speak the truth and sincerity).

Those with a good heart speak openly and forthrightly.

Some, to hide an evil heart, speak words of hypocrisy. Prov. 23:7

Our Speech Toward Each Other The necessity of godly speech toward each other. Because we live in the flesh our speech is not always as it should be. We need to work hard at having speech seasoned with grace . Col. 4:6 We need to use our tongues to edify one another. Eph. 4:29

The necessity of godly speech toward each other.

Because we live in the flesh our speech is not always as it should be.

We need to work hard at having speech seasoned with grace . Col. 4:6

We need to use our tongues to edify one another. Eph. 4:29

Our Behavior Toward Each Other As our speech goes, so goes our behavior. Jas. 3:13-18 Living in the flesh it is easy to become angry, indifferent, or uncaring. Loving behavior however, seeks the best to help others. As Christians living in a world full of sin and sorrow, it is easy to behave when all is well, but the real test comes when we are tried in difficult circumstances. Jas. 1:2

As our speech goes, so goes our behavior. Jas. 3:13-18

Living in the flesh it is easy to become angry, indifferent, or uncaring.

Loving behavior however, seeks the best to help others.

As Christians living in a world full of sin and sorrow, it is easy to behave when all is well, but the real test comes when we are tried in difficult circumstances. Jas. 1:2

Our Behavior Toward Each Other While in this world of imperfection we need to exemplify godly behavior. We must be careful in how we behave in the household of God. 1 Tim. 3:15 Our actions should always be to lift each other up, not tear each other down. Because what we sow here on earth (among the saints) we will reap for eternity. Matt. 7:17-21

While in this world of imperfection we need to exemplify godly behavior.

We must be careful in how we behave in the household of God. 1 Tim. 3:15

Our actions should always be to lift each other up, not tear each other down.

Because what we sow here on earth (among the saints) we will reap for eternity. Matt. 7:17-21

Conclusion While we may technically never be perfect we must strive for it until we are perfected. When we sin against our God or one another, repentance/lack thereof will show what kind of people we are. All brethren, however, must be loving and patient with one another through our imperfections as we strive together to serve the Lord.

While we may technically never be perfect we must strive for it until we are perfected.

When we sin against our God or one another, repentance/lack thereof will show what kind of people we are.

All brethren, however, must be loving and patient with one another through our imperfections as we strive together to serve the Lord.