By Seldon Smith

In a world where relationships between Americans, neighbors, and friends often face strain and division, it’s more important than ever to nurture and cherish the bonds we share with our families. This includes not just our immediate family, but also our in-laws, especially those who walk alongside us in faith. As members of the church, we are called to a higher standard of love and unity.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of loving our in-laws, fostering harmony, and strengthening the ties that bind us together as one community in Christ. Here's why embracing our in-laws with open hearts and minds can make a profound difference in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The Bible emphasizes love, respect, and kindness towards others, including family members and fellow believers. Here are some scriptural references that address these principles:

1. Love and Kindness:
   • Matthew 22:39: "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" This commandment extends to all relationships, including in-laws.
   • Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." This verse encourages kindness and forgiveness, essential for harmonious relationships.
2. Respect and Honor:
   • Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." While this commandment is directed at one's own parents, the principle of honoring and respecting family members can be extended to in-laws.
   • Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." This verse encourages mutual respect and honor within the Christian community.
3. Unity and Peace:
   • Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." This verse calls for making every effort to maintain peace in relationships.
   • Colossians 3:12-15: "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
4. Avoiding Hatred and Malice:
   • 1 John 4:20-21: "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
   • Ephesians 4:31: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."
5. Reconciliation and Forgiveness:
   • Matthew 18:21-22: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
   • Matthew 5:23-24: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."

These scriptures collectively encourage believers to treat their in-laws and all members of the church with love, respect, kindness, and forgiveness, striving for peace and unity in all relationships.

Introduction: This message explores a profound truth: the life we are called to live in Christ is one marked not merely by adherence to rules, but by the transformative power of love, liberty, and the fruit of the Spirit. It is vital that we understand the difference between the old covenant of the Law, given through the Ten Commandments, and the new covenant of grace, love, and the Spirit, revealed through Jesus Christ.

The Law and Its Purpose: The Ten Commandments, part of the Levitical Law, were given to the Israelites as a moral and ceremonial code (Exodus 20). These commandments served a crucial purpose—to reveal God’s holy standard and to show humanity its need for a Savior. The Law acted as a guardian, leading us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). However, the Law was never intended to be the final destination for God’s people. It was a temporary measure, pointing forward to the coming of the Messiah, who would fulfill the Law and establish a new covenant.

Jesus’ Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus Himself made it clear that He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). In Him, the requirements of the Law are met, and through His sacrifice, we are no longer under the Law, but under grace (Romans 6:14). The focus shifts from rigid obedience to external commandments to a heart transformed by the love of Christ. This transformation is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

The Greatest Commandment: Jesus summarized the Law in a powerful way when He was asked about the greatest commandment. He said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Here, Jesus shifts the focus from external compliance to internal transformation. Love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). When we love God and love others, we naturally live in a way that pleases God and reflects His character to the world.

The Liberty of the Spirit: Brothers and sisters, it is crucial that we do not neglect the liberty we have in Christ. Galatians 5:1 reminds us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” This liberty is not a license to sin but a call to live in the freedom of the Spirit, producing fruit that glorifies God.

Neglecting this liberty, or failing to live out the love and grace of Christ, is equivalent to rejecting Him. We cannot claim to belong to Christ and yet live as though we are still bound by the old covenant. To do so is to deny the power of His resurrection and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within us.

Living Out Our Faith: James 1:22 exhorts us to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” True Christianity is not merely about knowing Scripture but living it out daily. We are called to embody the love of Christ, showing compassion, kindness, and forgiveness, just as He has shown to us. The world needs to see the love of Christ in us—not just in our words, but in our actions.

Conclusion: As we go forth from this place, let us remember that we are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). This light shines not through rigid adherence to the Law but through the love and liberty we have in Christ. Let us boldly show the world what true Christianity is—an outpouring of the fruit of the Spirit, a life marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

May we be a living testimony to the transformative power of Christ, reflecting His love to a world in desperate need of it. Amen.

By Sheldon Smith

There is a lot of discussion about the situation in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians. 

I feel for the people of Israel and the Palestini people. From a religious standpoint, the Israelites brought forth the seed of Christ. Christ died on the cross to bring an end to the sacrifices on the alter that could never forgive sin. The Old Testament was fulfilled and the Levitical priesthood ended except for those who rejected Christ, the Lamb of God, who tore down the walls that separated man from God. 

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:14-18

However, there were those who rejected Christ -- both the descendants of Isaac and those of Ishmael. There is conflict in the world because of this rejection. From a Christian standpoint, that is the very thing Jesus came to bring and end to. 

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Further, God made the first covenant with Israel, but he made the second covenant with all men.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:7-13

Many of the Jews in the New Testament who heard and believed the Messiah responded...

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:36-39

The old priesthood was replaced with a new one...

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

God loves all of you and I do too. And, it's never too late to repent and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

By Sheldon Smith

We live in a nation of grudges. From the Civil War to the Hatfields and McCoys, in entertainment (Tupac vs. Biggie Smalls followers), to contemporary politics, it seems as though we have lost (or never had) the ability to settle differences in a civil manner.  

We see it every day: brawls, street fights, drive-by shootings, mass shootings, etc. At the core is the inability to forgive.

What is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness in the Hebrew language can have multiple meanings. It can mean the act of releasing someone from bondage or from confinement. It can also mean to pardon a person from his or her sins. In the context of this article, both definitions can be applied. 

It is possible for us to put ourselves into bondage to sin. 2 Peter 2:19 reads, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.”

Romans 6:16 tells us, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” From this, we see that people who have become slaves to sin need to be pardoned by God.

As we live our lives, it’s inevitable that someone — even those in our families or our congregations — will knowingly or unknowingly offend us. In such case, the following scriptures apply:

• Matthew 6:14  For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
• Luke 17:3-4  Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Even worldly institutions recognize the value of forgiveness. The Mayo Clinic suggests that the act that hurt or offended us might always be with us. But working on forgiveness can lessen that act's grip on us. It can help free us from the control (bondage) of the person who harmed us.

Sometimes, forgiveness might even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt us.

Why do people hold on to grudges?

People can do horrible things. I have done terrible things to others in my life. Such acts of offense can lead to negative feelings within the person whom was hurt. Such feelings take hold and leave little room in one’s mind for positivity.

Another reason is that people simply lack humility. It’s our sense of self-importance that makes it hard to forgive others. With that in mind, the Mayo Clinic offers some helpful advice regarding forgiveness. First, forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing the harm done to us. It also doesn’t necessarily mean making up with the person who caused the harm. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that allows us to focus on ourselves and helps us go on with life.

Fill our minds with positivity

Philippians 4:8 reads, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Let it go! According to a web publication from the Harvard Medical School, there are two types of forgiveness: decisional and emotional. Decisional forgiveness involves making a conscious choice to supplant animosity with good will. In emotional forgiveness, we drift away from the feelings caused by the offense and, no longer dwell on it.

What are the benefits of forgiving someone?

The Clinic suggests several benefits to forgiving a person who offended or hurt us. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for improved health and peace of mind. Forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships.
• Improved mental health.
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility.
• Fewer symptoms of depression.
• Lower blood pressure.
• A stronger immune system.
• Improved heart health.
• Improved self-esteem.

The role of humility

Humility is not thinking about me less; it’s about thinking less about me. There’s a big difference. Humility enables a person to put the interests of others before his or her own. Two people who approach a conflict with humility will always find peaceful resolution. However, those driven by self-interest will live in conflict.

Galatians 5:19-21 reads, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

What the sins mentioned above all have in common is too much focus on self and not enough on others. The following passage, on the other hand, reflects less of a focus on self and more on others.

Galatians 5:22-26 Reads, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

We should all work to humble ourselves and make our bodily temples a place in which the Spirit of God can dwell. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 reads, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

By Sheldon Smith

When we look at the Lord's Supper in the book of 1 Corinthians, the concept of self-examination comes to mind.

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 reads:

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."

To further examine the concept of self-examination, let’s read Galatians 6:4:

"But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load."

Let us examine ourselves by testing our own works against the scriptures:

• Are we sewing from the Spirit?
• Are we harboring ill feelings for a brother?
• Are we talking to people about Jesus?
• Are we engaging in unfruitful conversations about others?
• Are you doing good works to Christians and neighbors?
• Are we hiding sin?
• Have we even put on Jesus in baptism in the first place?
• Are we worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made for us?

Of course, none of this matters if we are outside the Body of Christ. Through a comprehensive study of the scriptures, we will find that there are five things we must do to be saved:

• Hear the Gospel (Rom 10:17)
• Believe it (Mark 16:16)
• Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38)
• Confess that Jesus is the Christ...the son of God raised from the dead (Rom 10:9, 1 John 4:15)
• Baptism into Christ to wash away your sins (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 18:8, Rom 6:3) and add you to His church (Acts 2:47)

In baptism, we are buried with Christ putting the old person to death. The bible tells us in 2 Timothy 2:11, "If we have died with him, we will also live with him..."

Is your heart right with God? If not, and if we can help you in any way, feel free to pay us a visit. You can also message us on Facebook or send us an email to blackstonecoc256@gmail.com.