New Believers Bible - Flipbook - Page 103
CORNERSTONES
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unexpected that they brought about the conversion of one of the thieves
hanging on a cross next to him.
Because Jesus completely forgave us, he wants us to follow his example by
forgiving others. As Scripture says: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Imitate God,
therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children” (Ephesians
4:32–5:1). The Bible gives us several important characteristics of the forgiveness
we should have for others.
1. Forgiveness First Comes from God. Our forgiving others should flow
from God’s forgiving us (see Mark 11:25, page 890).
2. Forgiveness Knows No Limits. For a Christian, no wrong is too great or
too small to forgive (see Matthew 18:21-35, page 862).
3. Forgiveness Is Not Selective. You can’t choose to forgive some people
and not forgive others (see Matthew 5:43-48, page 844).
4. Forgiveness Breaks Down Walls. When you choose to forgive, you
experience true freedom (see Genesis 45:1-15, page 44).
Purity is a quality we hear too little about today. Usually when we do hear
something about purity, it is in reference to sexual purity. But purity goes beyond
this to include wholesome thoughts, a sincere desire to do what is right, and a
commitment to obey God’s Word. Jesus alluded to the importance of purity by
promising that those whose hearts were pure would see God (Matthew 5:8). In
using the word heart, Jesus was saying that the center of our being—our will, our
emotions, and our thought processes—needs to be cleansed of sin. The Bible
texts below examine the idea of purity and how it affects us as followers of
Jesus Christ.
1. Don’t Place Yourself in the Way of Unnecessary Temptation. Know
your moral weaknesses and avoid situations where the temptation to sin
would be irresistible (see 2 Samuel 11:1–12:14, page 274).
2. Guard the Content of Your Thoughts. Don’t fill your mind with the
world’s moral filth (see 2 Timothy 2:22, page 1102).
3. Beware of the Sins of the Heart. The person who commits adultery in
his heart is just as guilty as the person who actually carries it out (see
Matthew 5:27-30, page 842).
4. Avoid Adulterous Relationships. God specifically warns us against
living in immoral relationships (see 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, page 1088).
