Am I my brother's keeper?

[jackie d]

Biblicist said:

I do believe we are accountable to God for the people around us.

that is an excellent way of putting it. And it is nice to know that we can only do what we can do, the rest of it is up to God...if we have fulfilled what we are called to do then the blood of others is not on our hands but their own.

Sometimes it's hard to leave it up to God, we want to "do it" all ourselves. We want to hold on to the responsibility, when it is not ours. Our responsibility is clear, but limited...

it's about pride and independance...neither of which we can contain.

[Guest Biblicist]

Biblicist said:

I do believe we are accountable to God for the people around us.

that is an excellent way of putting it. And it is nice to know that we can only do what we can do, the rest of it is up to God...if we have fulfilled what we are called to do then the blood of others is not on our hands but their own.

Sometimes it's hard to leave it up to God, we want to "do it" all ourselves. We want to hold on to the responsibility, when it is not ours. Our responsibility is clear, but limited...

it's about pride and independance...neither of which we can contain.

Yeah....

[OneLight]

Biblicist said:

I do believe we are accountable to God for the people around us.

that is an excellent way of putting it. And it is nice to know that we can only do what we can do, the rest of it is up to God...if we have fulfilled what we are called to do then the blood of others is not on our hands but their own.

Sometimes it's hard to leave it up to God, we want to "do it" all ourselves. We want to hold on to the responsibility, when it is not ours. Our responsibility is clear, but limited...

it's about pride and independance...neither of which we can contain.

Yeah....

I believe that God will give us a peace when we have done all we can do. This does not mean that we will stop worrying, it means that we can not force anything onto them and that it will be up to them to take what has been given to them, through us, and work it out between God and themselves. We are only a vessel, not the Creator. Allow the Peace of God to flow in you as you obey. Only He can tell you when you have completed His will through you. What I find in myself at times, is when I sit there and wonder if I can do more, putting myself before the will of God, thinking that I know better. A big mistake.

[Guest daretobelieve]

QUOTE

Titus 2:15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don't let anyone disregard what you say.

Titus 2:15 NLT version in full

You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary. You have the authority to do this, so don't let anyone ignore you or disregard what you say.

I don't know why but the full version doesn't seem quite as blunt as the edited one above it ..... perhaps leaving out a few words changes the dynamics of the scripture ....

Now this version puts a different twist on things .....

Titus 2:15 NIV

These, then are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

As it has been said a few times .... we are responsible to not for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Biblicist

I honestly don't see what the difference is, it all means the same thing.

Jackie d

there probably isn't...it's about what gives us the ability to understand...I am a more to the point and in the face kind of learner...people just grasp things differently...IMO

What I was trying to point out here was the difference in the "wording" In one version you have ignore and disregard but in another versions the word is despise ....

The words ignore and disregard mean: refuse to notice: to refuse to notice or pay attention to somebody or something... as opposed to the meaning of the word despise: regard with loathing and contempt: to dislike somebody or something intensely and with contempt.

Therefore, giving both versions very different content and meaning .... I believe that although we should teach, correct and rebuke it must be done with compassion .... Compassion sows a field of healing while Contempt sows a field of hate.

Some of the suggestions throughout this thread, edit: and others, have major breeding ground for contempt .... All confrontation must be done with a humble spirit, prayerfully and carefully and without condemnation so as the confronter is not despised.

Edited February 15, 2008 by daretobelieve

[Guest Vote for ted!]

Ok....sorry to take this off topic. I looked up Titus 2:15 in Strongs....

The word translated as; despise, ignore, disregard...is

periphroneō ~ pe-rē-fro-ne'-ō

1) to consider or examine on all sides i.e. carefully, thoroughly

2) to set one's self in thought beyond (exalt one's self in thought above) a person or a thing

3) to contemn, to despise

Word origin

perio ~

1. about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near

fronenw ~

1. to have understanding, be wise
   
2. to feel, to think
   1. 
      
   2. to have an opinion of one's self, think of one's self, to be modest, not let one's opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty
      
   3. to think or judge what one's opinion is
      
   4. to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious
      

[*]to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for

1. to seek one's interest or advantage
   
2. to be of one's party, side with him (in public affairs)
   

I hope that does not confuse things further.

[Guest daretobelieve]

^^^^^ not at all....thanks