Do you show mercy to those who wrong you?

Are you learning humility?

Are you fair in your dealing with people?

Micah could only hope that one day God will somehow make it possible for his people to live together in the obedient relationship that fulfills his will, in a world that has learned to know his love.  Our faith lacks sincerity if it doesn't reach out to others.  God says he wants our service to go beyond our own personal growth to acts of kindness, charity, justice, and generosity.

(Isaiah 58:6)
"The kind of fasting I want is this" Remove the chain of oppression and the yoke of injustice and let the oppressed go free.  Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.  Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your relatives."

In which religious activities do you find yourself just going through the motions!  Attending church?  Reading the Bible? Prayer?

Instead of just sacrifice or fasting, we must also take action by helping the people around us.  Sometimes our efforts may not look to us as being successful, but we must trust in God's justice, though the divine machinery sometimes seems to be at a standstill.

(Jeremiah 7:5)
"Change the way you are living and stop doing the things you are doing.  Be fair in your treatment of one another."

Where are you in your spiritual journey: (a) Egypt? (b) Going forward? (c) Backward? (d) At the temple gate? (e) Elsewhere?

Jesus tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others.  We are called to be fair with everyone, and not show partiality.

(Matthew 7:1-2)
"Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will apply to others."

Do you find it easy to magnify others faults while excusing your own?

Judging others is a "no, no" in God's plan.  God will be faithful but we also have responsibilities: to tell the truth, exercise justice, and live peacefully.

(Zechariah 8:16-17)
"These are the things you should do: Speak the truth to one another.  In the courts give real justice - the kind that brings peace.  Do not plan ways of harming one another.  Do not give false testimony under oath.  I hate lying, injustice, and violence."

How am I going to fight jealousy?

It doesn't take a law book to clarify our relationship within earthly law.

(Ezekiel 18:6-9)
"He doesn't seduce another man's wife or have intercourse with a woman during her period.  He doesn't cheat or rob anyone.  he returns what a borrower gives him for security; he feeds the hungry and gives clothing to the naked.  He doesn't lend money for profit.  He refuses to do evil and gives an honest decision in any dispute.  Such a man obeys my commands and carefully heeds my laws.  His is righteous and he will live," says the Sovereign Lord.

If your good and bad works were weighed in the balance, which way would the scales tip?

A key to open the door of earthly and heavenly life:  "Obeys my commands and carefully heeds my laws."

(Zechariah 7:9-10)
"Long ago I gave these commands to my people: 'You must see that justice is done and must show kindness and mercy to one another.  Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners who live among you, or anyone in need.  And do not plan ways of harming one another."

What do your heart-felt actions of justice and mercy say to God?  To the world?

A clear restatement of: "Yes we are, our Brothers keeper!"

(2 Esdras 2:20-23)
"Now, Jerusalem, come to the defense of widows, take the side of the fatherless, give to the poor, protect orphans, give clothing to those who have none, take care of those who are broken and weak, do not make fun of those who are crippled, protect the disabled, and helps the blind to catch a vision of my dazzling splendor.  Whenever you find a dead body, bury it and mark the grave, and I will give you a place of honor when I raise the dead."

The needs of the helpless are clearly our responsibility to satisfy.  Jesus points out that salvation does not come from good deeds unaccompanied by love of God and to submit humbly to the Lordship of Christ.

(Matthew 19:16-19)
Once a man came to Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what good thing must I do to receive eternal life?"

"Why do you ask me concerning what is good?" answered Jesus.  "There is only One who is good.  keep the commandments if you want to enter eternal life."

"What commandments?" he asked.

Jesus answered, "Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery;  do not steal; do not accuse anyone falsely; respect your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Why is Jesus so tough on riches?

What have you given up to follow Jesus?

The Old Law, still is required to be followed, if we want our heavenly reward.

B.  The new law of the Innerself.

Christ takes the Old Law and builds on it.  He illustrates this by taking some outstanding examples from the old Law and showing how, under his new Law, they are given a depth and inwardness which the external fulfillment of the traditional commandments could not approach.  The moral law is the direct command of God, and it still applies today.  Jesus obeyed the moral law completely.

(Matthew 5:17-20)
"Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets.  I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teachings come true.  Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the Kingdom of heaven.  I tell you then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  I tell you then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven only if you are more  faithful than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires."

How can you tell which righteousness is yours?

It is obvious that we can't pick and choose what we want to obey.  Following the law will not be easy, but it is required.

It is apparent by the following quote, that the new law deals with the heart.  But besides the fact that Christ call's our attention to the new law, much of it was in our hearts already.  It came natural to us.  It was always present as part of God's everlasting plan.  It was man who tried to change it to meet our earthly desires.  Our hearts and minds had it present, but it was too difficult for most humans to follow.  Christ was sent to earth, not to simplify it, but to provide the grace necessary to aid us.  He also introduced the Holy Spirit, in order to provide guidance to us.  We know what's right but we insist ion doing what's wrong.  It is not enough to know what's right; we must also do it.

(Romans 2:14-16)
"The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law.  Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts.  Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them.  And so according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all."

When did your faith become more than a ritual? 

C.  The New law clarifying the Old law.

The sixth commandment had forbidden murder.  jesus says that the real act of murder is not the actual killing of a man, but the inward feelings of hate and anger.  If these are  not checked and stamped out the equivalent of murder has been done.  We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others.  Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God.

(Matthew 5:22-24)
"But now I tell you: whoever is angry with his brother will be brought to trial, whoever calls his brother 'You good-for-nothing!' will be brought before the Council, and whoever calls his brother a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of hell.  So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God."

Although these standards are not a new law that we must attain before God will have mercy on us, what do they suggest about the direction in which God wants us to grow after we received his mercy?

The seventh commandment forbade adultery.  Christ points out that adultery is already committed the moment the will to commit it exists.  left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God.

(Matthew 5:27-28)
"You have heard that it was said "Do not commit adultery.'  But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart."

Concerning the third commandment against perjury, Christ says that the real remedy is not to condemn a man for false testimony, but to insist that a man's whole speech should be trustworthy and reliable without the need for oaths.

Matthew 5:37)
"Just say 'Yes' or 'No' - anything else you say comes from the Evil One."

Are you known as a person of your word?

The New Law describes the character of those who would be His children, and a strange picture they present.  All their attributes are the direct opposite of now a Child of Earth would approach these areas of life.

These are a few of the rules.  For a more in-depth explanation, you must participate in a church and religion (God's earthly family).

D.  Marriage

List those things you and your partner do best?

The head and the heart together comprise a marriage.  This structure is needed for the perpetuation of masculinity and femininity, as each complements the other to make a balanced atmosphere in which to rear children.  In a mystery comparable to the oneness between Christ and His Church, Christ and His Father, the two become one.

The words "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ," (Ephesians 5:21) not only begin the description of the marital structure in Ephesians but actually serve as its foundation.  In this mutual subservience one to another in the Christian community there is neither male nor female, for all are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

The husbands respect for his wife is shown in his agape love for her and the wife's agape love for her husband is shown in her respect for him.

(William E. Hume-Building a Christian Marriage)
"The Biblical pattern is sound.  The husband is to respect his wife, of course, but his emphasis is to love because his wife's greatest need is the assurance of his love.  She needs to hear it-to see it-again and again.  The wife is to love her husband, but her emphasis is on respect because the husband's greatest need is the assurance of his wife's appreciation of his position as a man.  Regardless of how many others may others may assure him of his position as a man.  Regardless of how many others may assure him of his masculinity, if this assurance does not come from his wife, he probably will not believe it.  The challenge to the wife is to let her man be a man.  The challenge to the husband is to treat his woman as a woman.

"Even though we have stressed that the initiative between the sexes resides with the male, in our culture the woman may have to take the initiative in encouraging the man to affirm his masculinity.  She cannot wait and see; she has to give.  One popular article stated that ninety percent of the success of a marriage is up to the women.  Obviously this is an exaggeration to attract attention.  Yet, because of our emphasis upon emancipation, women are neglecting the powers they possess in feminine dependence.  Most of us will try to live up to the confidence others show in us.  The woman who brings out the masculine in her husband is the woman who actually leads him into leadership by the respect she gives him.  She may at times without sufficient evidence to warrant it.  Yet it remains her most effective contribution to her marriage."

"He treats his wife as a woman when he shows her agape love.  In terms of marriage this means that he shows interest in her as a person.  Like Christ he expresses this interest in "work and sacrament" - that is by communication with words and by touch.  The husband who says, "When i don't say anything you know I like it," is as masculine-stupid as the husband who reserves his affection for when he wants sexual intercourse.  The interest a man shows in his wife is the self-giving interest of one who has assumed responsibility for another.  The desire to please here is based upon this responsibility  for her rather than the desire for maternal approval.  With this kind of masculine support few women would remain discontent as women.  Chrysostom was right.  If man fulfills his masculine responsibility to love, his wife-barring pathological interference-is likely to respond with respect."

What are some of the comparisons you might visualize between marriage or parenthood, and Children of God in heaven or on Earth?

When a man and woman unite in marriage, they are one.  Just as God is three in one.  No one, they or outsiders, should separate them.  Jesus focused on marriage rather than divorce.  He pointed out that God intended marriage to be permanent.

(Matthew 19:5-6)
And God said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one."  So they are no longer two, but one.  Man must not separate, them, what God has joined together."

What do you  need to work on to have the marriage God desires?

Those who so share with each other belong to each other.  Such binding intimacy demands a binding relationship.  In like manner, "He who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him." (1 Corinthians 6:16).

"Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking forward together in the same direction."

God and Christ have place such emphasis on the area of marriage, and its concept of two becoming one, because the understanding of marriage is the closest we will come to the understanding of two mysteries of our faith.  Marriage is a model which gives us some very limited understanding of the Holy Trinity (three-in-one versus two-in-one).

The other mystery, which is more important to our growth is how when we go to heaven, we will join the Trinity (four in one).  What we learn in earth's family, of becoming one, will help us prepare to join God's family in heaven.  If we can't handle earth's family and marriage relationship, what make's us think we would be ready to join our Heavenly Oneness (Family).  And why would God think we should join Him.

For in marriage we have the attributes of love, respect, merging of wills, merging of bodies (versus spirits in heaven), merging of control, glory to others, etc.  And yet through all of this we have separate personalities.  We have, through marriage and parenthood, some insight into creation.  Not to be left out is the raising of children.  We can experience in a very small way some of God the Father's joy and pain, pride and concern, reward and punishment, training and guidance, etc., in raising His children.

This closenest of the marriage and heavenly relationships provide humans with the best training possible, to prepare us for our heavenly life.  With this in mind,  You may be able to better appreciate the importance God places on marriage and parenthood.  If we as humans where to change the oneness to two individuals cooperating as long as each wanted to or felt value from; it would be hard to understand heaven and its oneness.  Also then we begin to think, wrongly; that the attributes necessary to go to heaven are not important.  We then become our own goods and reject the relationship with God in Heaven.

God clearly states; the roles of man and woman within marriage.  If we try to do away with what God expects, we are clearly wrong.  For Christ in bringing his message from God, stated: "Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point not the smallest detail of the law will be done away with - not until the end of all  things."  And the last time I looked, the end has not come, and we still exist.  Therefore when we "modernize," change, bend the law, we are trying to turn away from what God expects of us.  And no woman's group or any other group can change it.

How are you going to use what you have learned in this lesson within your life?

This also is true when humans try to change marriage, from a man and woman, to any other combination.  The union of husband and wife merges two persons in such a way that little can affect one with out also affecting the other.

(Ephesians 5:21-33)
"Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ.  Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord.  For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.  And so wives must submit themselves completely to their husbands just as the church submits itself to Christ.

"Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.  He did this to dedicate the church to God by his word, after making it clean by washing it in water, in order to present the church to himself in all its beauty - pure and faultless, without spot or wrinkle or any other imperfection.  Men ought to love their wives just as they love their own body.  A man who loves his wife loves himself.  (No one ever hates his own body.  Instead, he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ does the church; for we are members of his body.)  As the scripture says, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite  with his wife, and the two will become one.'  There is a deep secret truth revealed in this scripture, which I understand as applying to Christ and the church.  But it also applies to you; every husband must love his wife as himself, and every wife must respect her husband."

What counter-cultural principles from Paul can you work on to help you be a better spouse (or potential spouse)?

Mates in a marriage are obviously responsible to see by their actions that they both are following God's plan.  We must put into the forefront of our minds the following statement.  If someone we love dies, that has not turned their lives over to God; we will never-ever (throughout all eternity) see them again.  If that doesn't motivate you; there is no love.  A changed life speaks loudly and clearly, and it is often the most effective way to influence a family member.  Live your Christian faith quietly and consistently in your home.

(1 Peter 3:1-7)
"In the same way you wives must submit yourselves in your husbands, so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will win that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will win them over to believe.  It will not be necessary for you to say a word, because they will see how pure and reverent your conduct is.  You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as the way you fix your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses you wear.  Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self,  the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight.  For the devout woman of the past who placed their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by submitting themselves to their husbands, Sarah was like that; she obeyed Abraham and called him her master.  You are now her daughters if you do good and are not afraid of anything.

"In the same way you husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that they are the weaker sex.  Treat them with respect, because they also will receive together with you, God's gift of life.  Do this so that nothing will interfere with your prayers."

How does this concept of servanthood apply to marriage?

The marriage you need doesn't depend on beauty, passion or romantic settings.  It moves from physical attraction to commitment-body, mind, heart.  You will both need to make many sacrifices and will make many mistakes.

Love is not always glamorous, but it will help you care for the sick, clean the bathroom and live.

The wonderful thing about love is that it embraces with - out binding you and others.  Not all your activities and friends will be the same.  Love agrees to disagree on certain subjects.  Two of the most important phrases in a marriage are "I am sorry," and "I forgive you."  When you walk out in a rage, love follows you, calling, "Come back, I love you."

 I hope you will catch your mate looking at you as if you were a light in their life.  When they reach out and  hold your hand for no reason at all, this is love.  You  will feel that God has taken your soul into his heaven and surround you with His love.

By living out God's ideal of a loving marital relationship; you can make a impact on your world.  Aside from any personal or professional success you may achieve, this alone will mark you as special in today's society.

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24).

Arrange for an evening alone with your spouse each week.  Renew your commitment to being a couple who makes your loving Lord proud, and renew your vows to Him.

How would you avoid the concept of servitude in marriage?

As the Creator fashioned them, masculinity and femity compliment each other.  When we think of masculinity we think of physically stronger than the woman, and therefore less able to be physically overpowered.  From the beginning he has been the protector of the home from external dangers.  Being responsible for the home, he exerts his leadership in the decisions affecting it.  The man symbolizes the stability and security of the home in its outreach to society.

When we think of femininity we think also of strength - a balancing strength.  Feminine strength is the strength of warmth and of tenderness.  By giving the house its feeling, the woman changes it from a house to a home.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh, as a spokesperson for her own sex, calls the quality "stillness."  "Woman," she says, "Must be the pioneer in achieving this stillness, not only for her salvation, but for the salvation of the whole family of society, perhaps even for civilization."

The woman symbolizes the stability and security of the home, within the home.  More naturally than the man she brings intimacy to the family atmosphere along with the refuge of tenderness.  Her stillness communicates that affectionate acceptance which encourages family members to feel at home in her presence.  Children have a special need to have a refuge from the difficulties of life.  And as the woman is serving this capacity, she can guide children to understand the Love and Closeness of Christ.

The Father in his role of authority reflects the authority of God the Father.  He reflects the justice, love and discipline, a child needs to learn.  These two positions and attitudes must be one in love and control, but separate in roles; as Christ and His Father are One God but two persons.  The two persons, attitudes, and approaches should be present and separate, in order for children to grow with the proper  guidance.  The balance if changed can cause improper growth and is unnatural causing stress, tension, and many of the difficulties of modern life.

"Love thy wife as thyself, and honor her more than thyself.  Be careful not to cause women to weep, for God counts her tears" (Talmud).

"God has laid upon marriage both a blessing and a burden.  The blessing is the promise of children.  God allows man to cooperate with him in the work of creation and preservation.  But it is always God himself who blesses marriage with children.  'Children are a gift that cometh of the Lord.'  (Psalm 127) and they should be acknowledged as such.  It is from God that parents receive their children, and it is to Him that they should lead them.  Hence parents exercise and authority over their children which is derived from God...

"God intends you to found your marriage on Christ... live together in the forgiveness of your sins, for without it no human fellowship, least of all a marriage can survive.  Don't insist on your rights, don't blame each other, don't judge or condemn each other, don't find fault with each other, but take one another as you are, and forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts.

"From the first day of your marriage until the last your rule must be: 'Receive one another... to the praise of God.'

"Such is the word of God for your marriage.  Thank Him for it, thank Him for bringing you thus far.  Ask Him to establish your marriage, to conform and hallow it and preserve it to the end.  With this your marriage will be 'to the praise of His glory.'  Amen"  (Diietrich Bonhoeffer, - A Wedding Sermon from a Prison Cell).

We can demand too much from our marriage.  When God is ruled out, we make gods of lesser things.  The most likely candidates for these gods are family members.  We then will start exploiting them for our own satisfaction.  This can end a marriage.

Abraham and Sarah had a great hospitality committee.  Abraham spotted the guests, welcomed them and invited them to clean up, to rest, to have something to eat.  It was Abraham's wife Sarah, who prepared the food upon his request.

Can you imagine how the story would have gone if Abraham and Sarah resented each other?

"Abraham," Sarah might have said, "get in here and help me clean this tent.  All you do is sit around outside."  They could have missed the strangers if it had happened that way.

"Sarah, I'm sick of being the one to sit out here in the heat.  You keep watch,"  Abraham might have said, and as they bickered over their roles, the strangers passed by unnoticed.

Happily, Abraham and Sarah were at peace in their relationship and so their gifts worked together and the story  ends with the promise of their family having a child.

Divorce and remarriage is not an option that we have.

(Mark 9:11-12)
He said to them, "A man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against his wife.  In the same way a woman who divorces her husband and marries another man commits adultery."

A special concentration on women and their relationship to marriage is seen within the Bible and other Christian material.  This is because women have the most power and capability along with natural ability to set the stage for the success of the inner strength of the family.

(1 Clement 1:7)
"The woman ye exhorted to do all things with an unblameable and seemly, pure conscience; loving their own husbands, as was  fitting: and that keeping themselves within the bounds of a due obedience, they should order their houses gravely, with all discretion."

As we move on to the next lesson we find the following as a fitting closing to this lesson.

(1 Clement 10:8-14)
"Our wives let us direct to do that which is good.
"Let them show forth a lovely habit of purity in all there conversation; with a sincere affection of meekness."

"Let the government of their tongues be made manifest by their silence.

"Let their charity be without respect of persons alike towards all such as religiously fear God."

"Let your children be bred up in the instruction of Christ:

"And especially let them learn how great a power humility has with God; how much a pure and holy charity avails with him; how excellent and great his fear is; and how it will save all such as turn to him with holiness in a pure mind.

"For he is the searcher of the thoughts and counsels of the heart; whose breath is in us, and when he pleases he can take it from us."