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  Those who want to eat the fruit of the tree of life and the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil   Romans 7:12 "So then the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, just and good." The Law is the holy word of God. Within the Law, there is the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace. The Covenant of Works states that by observing all 613 of the Law, one can become God's people. Therefore, the Israelites diligently tried to strictly observe the Law's provisions, but they were never able to do so. Ultimately, they received forgiveness of sins from God through sacrificial offerings. Receiving forgiveness of sins through sacrificial offerings is the Covenant of Grace. Those who strive to keep the rules within the law ultimately fall into a covenant of works, or legalism. This represents the Pharisees of Jesus' time. Believers must not confuse the law with legalism. Most pastors confuse believers by equating "keeping the letter of th...

  Question 131. What are the duties of equals? Answer. The duties of equals are to respect each other's dignity and worth, to honor each other, and to rejoice in the gifts and advancements received from each other as if they were their own. In the church community, regardless of age or gender, everyone is spiritually brothers and sisters. Therefore, if the saints are in Christ, they are spiritually equal. Those who are spiritually equal have no obligation to each other, and if they have, it is to preach the gospel. Matthew 28:19-20 “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ”  

Question 130. What are the sins of superiors? Answer. The sins of superiors are, besides neglecting the duties required, seeking too much of their own honor, comfort, profit, or pleasure; commanding them to do things that are unlawful, or beyond the ability of their inferiors; advising, encouraging, or approving of evil; discouraging, discouraging, or opposing good; chastising them unjustly; carelessly causing them to do wrong, temptation, or danger, or allowing them to be exposed; insulting them, or by unjust, indiscreet, harsh, or negligent conduct, diminishing their authority. Titus 2:6-10 “ In the same way, exhort the younger men to be sober-minded, showing in all things a pattern of good works. In teaching be uncorrupted, reverent, sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the one who opposes them may be ashamed and have nothing evil to say about us. ” At that time, most people who were socially active were men. Among men's activities, words had great power. Young ...

 Question 129. What is required of superiors toward inferiors?  Answer. It is required of superiors, by the authority they have received from God, to love their inferiors, pray for them, bless them, teach them, exhort them, admonish them, encourage, praise, and reward those who do well, correct, rebuke, and punish those who do wrong; to provide and prepare for them all things necessary for their souls and bodies, and to preserve the authority God has given them by their courteous, wise, holy, and exemplary conduct, glorifying God and bringing honor to themselves. Titus 2:2-5 『That the older men be temperate, reverent, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, workers at home, good, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of G...

  Question 128. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors? Answer. The sins of inferiors against their superiors are neglect of the duties required of them, opposition to their lawful exhortations, commands, and disciplines, envy, contempt, and rebellion against their persons and positions, and all such shameful conduct as is found to be a reproach and dishonor to them and their government. 1 Timothy 6:1-2 "Let all who are under the yoke of bondage consider their masters worthy of full honor, so that the name of God and his teaching will not be slandered. And those who have believing masters, let them not treat them lightly, because they are brothers, but rather serve them the best, because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach these things and exhort them." Despotas means teacher (expert). A servant is like a Christian subordinate who learns under an expert. In any workplace in the world, a Christian subordinate must not allow his superi...

  Question 127. How should inferiors show reverence to their superiors? Answer. The reverence which inferiors owe to their superiors is, by all due reverence, both in word and deed; by prayer and thanksgiving for them; by imitating their virtues; by cheerful obedience to their lawful commands and counsels; by due submission to their discipline; by being loyal to, defending, and supporting their persons and authority, according to their several degrees and the nature of their positions; by bearing with their infirmities, and covering them with love, that they may be a credit to themselves and to their government. Titus 2:9-10 "Servants be obedient to their masters in all things, to please them well, not to speak against them or steal, but to show all sincerity, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in all things." Paul gave separate exhortations to the church members: Titus, old men and old women, young men and young women, and servants. At that time, the...

  Question 126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment? Answer. The general scope of the fifth commandment is the performance of the duties which we owe one to another in our mutual relations as inferiors, superiors, or equals. Romans 12:1-2 “ Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God — your spiritual worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God ’ s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. ” Before discerning the will of God, there is a passage that says, “ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ” A believer cannot discern the will of the Lord without being transformed. It is not something that can be accomplished by memorizing passages. Also, before being transformed, the Bible first says, “ Offer your bodies a...