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Summary, Part 4 (final) 3. “Any kind of kissing between Christians is inappropriate since it may excite lustful affections.” But we can also say this about the use of our eyes, and we must use extreme caution with the opposite sex if it is a real problem. 4. “I’m natively a reserved person and such displays of affection are not natural to me.” But this isn’t dispensable. This is grace, not nature or nurture. And you are depriving yourself of a blessing from God. 5. “People will know that I love other Christians, since they can see that I love Christ, His truth, and His church.” But we must love the individuals, not just the church in the abstract. CLOSING OBSERVATIONS [56:25]. 1. Christian affection is to be displayed as well as felt. Open, demonstrative affection is not simply a privilege for some Christians; it is the blessed duty of all Christians. 2. Whether or not we show Christian affection with a kiss, our love should be evident in our interactions with them. To not display affection toward our brethren (in some obvious, appropriate manner), therefore, is sinful. 3. May our mutual affection be so obvious that is be said of our church as it was said of first century churches, “my, how they love one another!”
Ian Migala (10/11/2016)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Summary, Part 3 OUR GREETINGS SHOULD BE PHYSICAL (Rom 16:16, 1 Cor 16:20, 2 Cor 13:12, 1 Pet 5:14) [36:42]. The thought of kissing other Christians as an expression of your respect and affection might make you feel more than a little uneasy, especially if you are not an openly affectionate person. It was a standard practice in Near Eastern culture. The kiss practiced by Christians in the New Testament expressed both love and respect. First, it is holy because it is reserved for holy people; that is, for other Christians. Second, it is holy because it presumes and portrays moral purity. Acts 20:17-38 – a very pointed expression of Christian love. OBJECTIONS AND ANSWERS [49:50]. 1. “The practice of kissing, even as an expression of love and respect, is unbecoming a holy Christian living in an unholy world filled with lustful affection.” But do we let immorality stifle holy affection, which marks us as Christians? 2. “Kissing as an expression of Christian greeting and affection is merely a cultural expression that may dispensed with where it is not practice.” However, we don’t delegate holy affection to cultural norms, and we’re to practice it if it is absent from the culture.
Ian Migala (10/11/2016)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Summary, Part 2 Second, our greetings of one another should rise above the ordinary by being distinctively Christian (Mt 10:12, Eph 6:23-24). Our greetings should be distinctively Christian with the goal of encouraging believers in the Lord (Lk 1:39-44, Acts 18:22-23, 20:1, 21:7, 19-20a). Our greetings of non-Christians should be self-consciously Christian and therefore Savor of Christ (Ruth 2:4, Mt 5:47, 2 Cor 5:20). Third, churches should greet their sister assemblies, regarding them with Christian family affection (1 Cor 16:19-20). The New Testament suggests that distinctively Christian greetings should not merely be general to all members, but may also include greetings directed to specific Christians (Phil 4:21-22, Col 4:10-18). Fourth, a spirit of personal closeness and family affection should permeate our Christian greetings (Philemon 1:23, Heb 13:24, 1 Pet 5:13-14, 2 Jn 13-14). Finally, distinctively Christian greetings will express a desire that God bless those we greet (2 Tim 4:19-22, Titus 3:15).
Ian Migala (10/11/2016)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Summary, Part 1 We continue with 6. BROTHERLY LOVE IS FRIENDLY AND AFFECTIONATE [starting at 4:37 of the audio]. Salvation comes with reconciliation between God and His new child. Though God is the source of all, this reconciliatory love is reciprocal and extends to the Christian’s new brethren (cf. 1 Pet 1:22). We are to greet one another and, more particularly, we are to greet one anther affectionately, with a holy kiss or a kiss of love. OUR GREETINGS SHOULD BE VERBAL [6:14]. First, consider the “one another” texts expressing our duty to show observable affection to our Christian brethren (Rom 16:16, 1 Cor 16:20, 2 Cor 13:12, 1 Pet 5:14). The command to “greet one another” is found in all these texts. We may observe from the command to “greet one another” that 1) greetings are verbal and demonstrable, and 2) that greetings display friendliness, respect, affection, or receptiveness toward the person greeted. Some principles to deduce from this: First, if non-Christians show one another kindness, respect, and affection in their greetings, surely Christians should not be outdone by unbelievers in their affectionate greetings of one another (Mt 5:47, Acts 25:13).