11: Open-Handed vs Closed-Handed Issues

In other words, in this section on "Bearing with one another in love", we will be looking at sin issues vrs. nonsin issues. Forbearance is the ability to distinguish sin issues from nonsin issues. Although we must sometimes show forbearance when people sin, we will more often have to put up with the nonsinful things that others are accustomed to doing. We will be talking about bearing with one another when people sin in a later section of this study. Our example being Jesus in Luke 9:41 Luke 9:41- "Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." But more often we will have to bear with the nonsinful things that others are doing. Hebrews 5:14 - "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." If we cannot discern between good and evil, right and wrong, we will either not be able to endure people, because everything will become an offense to us. This will increase the number of potential conflicts we have with others. More importantly, what right do we have to be offended with at things with which God is not offended at? This leads us into the topic of "Open-handed" vrs. "Closed-handed" issues. Listen. Get started on the right foot with your Biblical Counseling Training. The Biblical Counseling Academy's Starter Course is now enrolling: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/startercourse