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This section is far from complete. Much more could be said. Most of the verses that have been included are connected with "leadership" verses found elsewhere in this paper. Only a few others (of the many that exist) have been added to the list.
A. Unity and Diversity Within the Church
B. Different Gifts/Functions/Etc. Within the One Body
C. "Christ-Likeness" Is Obligatory
NOTE: At times, it will be difficult to separate the verses that belong in the following sections. This is because the relationships we have between ourselves, God, and neighbor are so interrelated.
D. Attitudes/Actions Toward God
E. Attitudes/Actions Concerning Oneself
F. Attitudes/Actions Toward Others
G. Attitudes/Actions Specifically Toward Leadership
H. Misc. Items; Obligations for Specific Groups
Unity: One Flock/One Shepherd [Including Both Jews and Gentiles] - John 10:16
Unity: One Building - Ephesians 2:20-22
Unity/Diversity: One Body/Many Members
We Are All Part of the Body - 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 1:24-27
We Were Called into Unity (So, Live Worthy of It) - Ephesians 4:1-7
All Parts Are Needed - 1 Corinthians 12:12-21
Opposition to Divisions (As Being "Harmful" - Indicative That Some People Do Not Have God's Approval) - 1 Corinthians 11:17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:24b-25
Gifts Originate in God; Are Appointed by God - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians 4:7,11
They Are Not to Be Used in a Manner That Goes Against Unity
Those with Gifts of "Lesser Honor" Are to Be Given Greater Honor by the Rest; All Should Share in Both Joys and Sadness - 1 Corinthians 12:21-26
In Worship: Taking Turns in Contributing to Worship; Yet Within Proper Limits - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
Gifts must Be Used
Whether You Want to or Not - 1 Corinthians 9:16-17
In the Manner Appropriate for the Specific Gift - Romans 12:3-8 [NOTE: The "measure of faith" is probably best interpreted as "the rule or standard of faith" - that is, the Bible. "In proportion to his faith" is probably best interpreted in the same manner. All must be done in accordance with our final authority (or the "standard" by which we "measure" all things), the Bible.]
In Love - 1 Corinthians 12:31 (This is perhaps better translated as a statement, rather than a command. Also, read chapter 13.); Ephesians 4:16
For the Common Good - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
To Edify/Build up - 1 Corinthians 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:12
To Serve Others/cause Praise to God - 1 Peter 4:10-11
It must Be Remembered That "All Things" Belong to Each of Us - Including Each Person and His Gifts - 1 Corinthians 3:22
For a True Christian, Sin Is Not an Option for Us to Choose (Though at Times We Make it One) and it Is Not a Possibility for a Lifestyle. Those Who Died to Sin Cannot Live to It. - Acts 10:34-35; Romans 6:1-2; Romans 6:16-23 [NOTE: This does not negate the fact that we still struggle with sin (Romans 7). The difference, however, is that we overcome, whereas those who live in sin don't.]; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:3-7
We Are Commanded/Expected to Grow; to "Make Every Effort." This Is the Purpose of Salvation; Certain Things Will Accompany Salvation - Luke 13:24; John 15:16-17; Philippians 2:12-13; Philippians 2:14-16a; Hebrews 5:12; 6:1-2; Hebrews 6:9-12 [For context, see verses in previous section, about the dangers of continuing in a sinful lifestyle]
The Danger of Trying to Maintain a Sinful Lifestyle/Not Growing in the Faith/Not "Making Every Effort" to Be Part of the Kingdom - Luke 13:24,27; Titus 1:16; Hebrews 2:1-4; Hebrews 6:7-8; Hebrews 10:28-29; James 1:22; James 2:14,26; 3 John 1:11
We Are Commanded to Test Ourselves: Are We Genuine? - 2 Corinthians 13:5-7; Galatians 6:3-5; 2 Peter 1:10-11
The Contrast Between True Members of the Body of Christ and Those Who Merely "Go to Church"/Pretenders - Matthew 7:21-23; Ephesians 5:23-24; 1 John 2:18-19
NOTE: To affirm human responsibility is NOT a denial of God's sovereignty. They are two different issues belonging to two different dimensions. Both are strongly affirmed in Scripture. [The idea that such concepts somehow conflict with each other comes from pagan culture, not from Scripture.]
Learning What God Has to Say Has Priority over the Distractions of Life [An Example] - Luke 10:38-42
One's Choice of Actions Are Limited by Their Effects on Others [Love to Neighbor Has Precedence over "Rights"]; This Reflects Our Love Toward God - Romans 14:15-21; Hebrews 6:10b
A Focus on the Future Consequences of One's Choices: Faithfulness/ Obedience to Christ Is More Important than Worldly Treasures, Etc. - Hebrews 11:26
Serving the Lord
Serving Is Required; Focus on the Duty, Rather than the Reward - Luke 17:10; Romans 12:11
We must Follow Jesus' Example, or We Are Not Truly Serving - John 12:26
We Are Not Free to Do Evil [See Also Section on "Christ-likeness," Above] - 1 Corinthians 6:15; 1 Peter 2:16; [A GOOD ATTITUDE: Philippians 3:10-11]
We must Serve Regardless of Opposition - Acts 20:18-19
Prayer, Thanksgiving, Singing, Etc., to God - Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:2; Ephesians 5:19b-20; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2;
Jesus Is Our Pattern...
For Love - John 15:12-17
For Pleasing Our "Neighbor" Rather than Ourselves - Romans 15:1-4
Attitudes
Humility/Sober-minded - Romans 12:3 [NOTE: "the measure of faith" - probably referring to our "standard" for all of life, the Word of God]; Galatians 6:3 [Don't forget 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. God mainly chooses "nobodies," so that the focus of our pride/boasting will be HIM, rather than ourselves!]; Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Peter 5:5b
Self-Control - 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Diligent, Purposeful, Focused, Self-Disciplined - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Contentment in One's Circumstances - 1 Corinthians 7:16-24
Alert - Mark 13:33; Ephesians 6:18b
Living as "Strangers"/Reverent - 1 Peter 1:17-19
Perseverance - James 1:2-3,12
Actions: General Lifestyle - Live Worthy of Your Calling - Ephesians 4:1-3
NOTE: The verses that might be put under this heading seem to
also belong under the other headings in this section. They will not
be repeated here. [After all, isn't everything we must do either
related to our focus on God or our our "neighbor"
(regardless of whether he is "friend" or "foe")?
Isn't the full duty of man summarized in the commands to love God
with the totality of our being and our neighbor as ourselves?]
Attitudes [Which Result in Actions]
Devoted to What Is "Good" - Titus 3:8; Titus 3:14; 1 Peter 2:12
Love for "Neighbor" Rather than Focusing on "Rights" and What Pleases Oneself; Considering Others as Better than Self
(1) What we should do - Romans 15:1-2; Philippians 2:3-4; James 2:8
(2) And who is our neighbor? - Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 10:29-37
Actions
Godly Speech - Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 4:25; Ephesians 4:29; Ephesians 5:19a; Philippians 2:14-16a
Godly Use of "Opportunities" [Note: Includes More than Just the Modern-day Concept of "Soul-winning" Activities. It Includes Living All of Life in a Manner That Reflects the Ways of God.] - Colossians 4:5-6; Philemon 1:6
Living at Peace with Unbelievers [If There's "Problems," Let Them Be Caused by the Unbelievers!] - 1 Corinthians 7:15
Building Others Up/helping Others - Acts 11:29-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Not Showing Favoritism/not Judging People by External Appearances - James 2:1-4; James 2:8-10
Honor/Respect - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17-18
Sharing [Not Necessarily Implying Money] - Galatians 6:6
Obedience/Submission - Hebrews 13:17
Imitate/Follow Their Example - 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 [a true spiritual leader vs. those who compete for attention, etc.]; Hebrews 13:7
To Not Accuse of Sin, Unless There Is Sufficient Grounds for Doing so - 1 Timothy 5:19-20
Pray for Them - Colossians 4:3-4
Consider Them All Yours (Don't Pick Favorites, Etc.) - 1 Corinthians 3:22 [Don't pick favorites!]
Even the "Nobodies" Within the Church Are More Qualified to Make Judgments about Disputes, than Are the People of the World - 1 Corinthians 6:1-4
Special Obligations for Men vs. Women - 1 Timothy 2:8-12; 1 Peter 5:5
NOTE: Numerous extensive passages exist, such as the various lists of "household rules" (Ephesians 5:21- 6:9 and Colossians 3:18-4:1), etc.
Dennis Hinks © 1994