Christianity in the eyes of the world can appear like drudgery. It is such a tedious task that they simply cannot bother to try.

However, the lifestyle of Jesus Christ on earth was filled with excitement. Miracles and wonders followed Him everywhere He went.

Of course, there were trials, temptations, and sufferings, but Jesus overcame them all. He granted to His followers this same victorious power when we build a close relationship with Him and follow in His footsteps.

This is a continuation from Part Two, which you can recapture if you missed it.

In this article, we will look at how Jesus dealt with offenses, unforgiveness, and divorce in the Church, and much more.

Divorce is a hot debatable topic in the church and everyone has various views regarding marriage and divorce. However, regardless of our personal opinions, as Christians, we need to stick with the teachings of Jesus.

• Dealing with offenses in the church

Even within the churches among the brethren, contention can develop. However, it must not be allowed to escalate by gossiping and backbiting.

Instead, offenses should be dealt with quickly by trying to resolve it privately between the two parties.

If this does not work then the matter is taken to one or two elders of the church to be resolved.

If the brother who is at fault refused to hear the elders then the matter should be taken to the members of the church.

If the brother still refuses to listen then he is considered a heathen (Matthew 18:15-20; Mark 9:42-50).

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matthew 5: 23-24)

Moreover, if your brother (sister) sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. (Matthew 18:15)

• Forgiveness

Forgiveness was already mentioned in Part One, but it cannot be overemphasized because unforgiveness still plagued the hearts of Christians within the Church.

Jesus clearly emphasized that if it becomes necessary we should be willing to forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 18: 21-35; Mark 11:25-26). Seven is the number of God, which means mercy.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:35)

• Dealing with divorce in the Church

“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6)

The key here is that no man can separate any marriage that God has joined together.

The churches have created their own rules and regulations regarding marriage and divorce, which are not pleasing to God.

If your marriage was initiated and created by God then it is impossible for any man to break it.

Note that, not every marriage that occurred in the churches and was prayed over by the pastor means that it was created by God.

If a marriage is broken by unforgiveness, separation or divorce then it was not sanctioned by God in the beginning.

If the marriage was created by God and the couple divorced, they are still considered married in the eyes of God.

Thus, if they remarry someone else then God sees them as committing adultery (Matthew 19:1-10; Mark 10:1-12).

And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? (Matthew 19:4-5)

• Riches

It is not a sin to be wealthy, but it is a sin to love money more than the kingdom of God.

The rich young ruler chose His wealth rather than to give them up to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31).

Money answers everything for the wealth so they do not need to look to God for anything until when they come face to face with death.

• Many are called, but few chosen.

The above statement is difficult to swallow.

The lesson of the parable of the workers in the vineyard is that God is not a respecter of any person (Matthew 20:1-14; 22:1-14).

Jesus often gave His lessons in parables so that you can receive the interpretation directly from Him (Mark 4).

He treats us all equally regardless of our talents or status in life. God’s only requirements for us are that we to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8).

• Merciful

Not one person who cried out to Jesus for mercy has ever been turned away. Jesus healed every person that was ill (Matthew 20:29-33; Mark 1:21-50; 2:1-12; 9:14-29).

Jesus cleansed the lepers, rebuked and cast out demons (Mark 5; 7:24-37). He opened the blind eyes (Mark 8:22-26; 10:46-52).

Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people (Mark 6:30-44; Mark 8:1-12).

If you are in need of anything all you need to do is call on the Lord.

“Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!”

The Lord will stop, listen and asked you, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

Then you can state your petition and receive your miracle!

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:36)

• Jesus is cleaning the Church

Yes, He is!

Jesus is cleansing His Church of all the money-hungry Pastors/Bishops who are fleecing the sheep.

He is cleansing the Church of all the false prophets and diviners who are operating under false pretenses.

Jesus is cleansing the Church of all the hypocrites who like to perform in the churches. They love the praises of men rather than God (Mark 11:12-24).

Yes, Jesus is indeed cleaning His Church because:

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:13)

• The power of your faith

Even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed, it can remove any mountain (Matthew 21: 18-22; Mark 4:30-41).

Pray and believe that whatever you need has already been granted.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22)

• Defending God

You do not need to try to defend God or the Bible. God is big enough to defend Himself (Matthew 21: 23:27; Mark 11:27-32).

And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. (Matthew 21:27)

If anyone questions your calling you do not need to be offended. The light of the Lord Jesus Christ will shine through you so that all will see your good works and glorify God.

• Never belittled the hardened sinners

On that great Day of the Lord, there will be a lot of surprises!

People who are considered hardened criminals, prostitutes and thieves will be making their way into the kingdom of God because they repented before it was too late, leaving behind regular churchgoers and charismatic pastors who had a form of godliness but did not know the Lord.

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. (Matthew 21:32)

• The chief cornerstone

The cornerstone is the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed (Dictionary.com).

Jesus Christ was despised and rejected of men, but He is now the foundation of the Christian faith. Read about the rejection and persecution of Jesus: (Mark 6; Mark 12:1-12;)

Likewise, you may not think that your position within the kingdom is important, but God will elevate you in due season.

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matthew 21:42-43)

• The resurrection and life

Jesus is the resurrection and the life!

Read about Jesus’ predictions of His death and resurrection: (Mark 9:30-32; 10:32-34).

We have been partakers of the suffering of Christ and so we will also be partakers of the power of His resurrection. Read more about the belief in the resurrection: (Mark 12:18-21).

It is appointed unto all of us to die once, then the judgment. On judgment day, some people will be resurrected to eternal life while others to condemnation (John 5:29; Hebrews 9:27-28).

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine. (Matthew 22:23-33)

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:5-6)

• The greatest commandment in the law (Matthew 22:34-40)

The law of God was given to Moses for the children of Israel. However, Israel failed to uphold the laws of God completely.

Jesus came to earth and fulfilled all the requirements of the laws (Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-12). He then gave His followers two simple rules to live by.

These rules He claimed are the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-34).

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like, unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)

Join us tomorrow morning as we bring you the final part in the series, following the footsteps of Christ.

Related: Following the Footsteps of Christ (Part One) and (Part Two)

Share with us your thoughts on how we can follow in the footsteps of Christ.

 

Published by Beverley

Beverley has been serving the Lord since she was a child. At an early age, she recognized that God had a special plan for her life, but it was not until in her adulthood that she surrendered her total life to God and accepted the mandate that God placed on her life. The Lord called her into His Kingdom to be an encourager, intercessor, teacher, scribe, priest, and to proclaim the Word of God. Since then, Beverly has established a blog to teach us to become the oil and wine. The oil and wine are purified and mature products, which is the advanced level that the Lord expected of us. In 2017, Beverley published her first book, Harm Not The Oil And Wine. In it, she described her trials and how God helped her to overcome them, and to live more victoriously. The book also exposed the enemy of our souls with detailed information about his past defeats and future extinction. Wright spents most of her time studying the Bible to know the truth of God’s Word. She believes that only God’s truth can expose the deception of the enemy, and uproot and tear down spiritual strongholds. You can learn more about Beverley’s life and testimony on her website becomingtheoilandwine.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Google+ under the name of her blog, and on Twitter as @Theoilandwine. View all posts by Beverley