doct097 God is Civil explains how God, in His moral character, respects other people, even though He sometimes has to deal with them in difficult ways.

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

The dictionary defines a civil person as someone who is affable, courteous, kind, attentive, considerate, and sociable.

It is a person who gets along well with others, and this is especially seen in relationships with antagonists, opponents, or people who have a different will, point of view, and preferences than oneself.

If salvation lies in “knowing God.” And this cannot happen without one being so impacted that one imitates God, so it is very important that we understand God.

Being Civil

1 Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Our relationships with other people are a revelation of our spirit and moral character, and of our relationship with God.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

We imitate God’s civil attribute (Ephesians 5:1) by doing the same with other people. We are not imitating God if this is not seen in our relationships and dealings with others.

Being civil implies that this is with other people, because they are made in God’s image, and they have the right to be respected and treated in a way that pleases God. It speaks in the context of government and citizenship, but it is broader than this in Scripture. Everyone deserves to be treated well, with respect, with someone serving them. This is also true for unbelievers, but especially for the family of God.

Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

God is Love

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Although we take the concept of “loving someone” as something very personal and intimate between the two, truly private, we must understand that this love is really a definition of who you are spiritually. As in this verse, God defines Himself, His character, with the concept of love. What identifies the children of God is that they should be people who love others as a characteristic of their lives.

The point is very important to meditate on: this is not, as many understand it, something extra, additional, not necessary to be saved. But if one is a good Christian, very spiritual, then they practice love. This principle will define or reveal a person as saved or unsaved. John emphasized the importance of this level. If you don’t love, you are not born again. All saved people love. It is part of the definition of their moral character after being saved.

Firstly, we must understand that love is a spiritual activity. It can become very emotional and even physical between a married couple. But it is first and foremost spiritual. We love because God commands us to love, because He is love.

Secondly, this quality is not based on what is truly convenient.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Luke 6:35) Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Wrong love, then, is love motivated only by self-interest. You treat someone well because that person may in the future, in some way, serve you, in that you gain something of value from that person.

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

An individual’s moral character reveals itself in how they treat other people, with those who are their enemies, those whom they do not benefit from in helping them. A saved person who has a real relationship with God is a person who treats everyone in a way that deeply loves God. This relationship with God is demonstrated in how they relate to other people, whoever they may be.

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

If every human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), then God understands your dealings with anyone as you truly are before Him. Simply put, a Christian gets along with others as much as he can, and gives much effort, energy, and attention to this, not replicating how others treat you.

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Satan and the Mess over Job

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? You have blessed the work of his hands; therefore, his goods have increased on earth.

There are parts of the Bible that seem very difficult for us to understand. God is and works in ways that “we wouldn’t do things that way” if we were in his place. This passage is one of them. Actually, why didn’t God send Satan and his armies to hell so that they couldn’t emerge from there to harm the earth and human beings from the very beginning of his rebellion? The answer is simply because God’s character is magnanimous.

Definition for “magnanimity”

Benevolence, clemency. Greatness and elevation of spirit. It demonstrates strenuous magnanimity in undertaking things. Nobility. Selflessness or generosity. Job 36:5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. God’s magnanimity comes from the power of God. No one is more powerful than He, and being always right and all-powerful, God deals with His creatures in a way worthy of Him. He is noble and kind to others, although He doesn’t have to be that way.

In truth, this attribute of God is very basic to His character, and in this, His love is manifested; it defines what love is. Love is the sacrifice of one person for the good of another. God treats sinners well even when they are in rebellion against Him. Even if the person is aggressive and hostile toward you, you can overcome them with good. Although God will never “win over” Satan, God behaves civilly and magnanimous toward all. One day, judgment will come upon every person, even Satan and the demons, but before that day, God manifests His good character by behaving in this way. God’s children must learn this from God and imitate Him in their lives.

Why did God create the church? (Hebrews 10:24-25) Especially when God knows that of all the people who enter there after being saved, almost no one will get along with others? It’s because God wants us to learn to get along with other Christians in fellowship. You learn this from God first, and then we practice this with other saved people by forgiving them and treating them well, regardless of what they have done wrong to you.

Saul Killing King Agag

1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 32 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. 33 And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. 35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

This story is difficult to understand if you don’t understand God’s magnanimity. God commanded Saul to wage war against King Agag and kill him, but in war. When Saul was able to capture him, he saw how to keep him prisoner, and that he could take advantage of Agag. However, instead of destroying those people and their possessions, Saul saw how he could take advantage of not destroying them. The point is that this was not God’s will. Saul wanted to use others to his advantage in the wrong way. God regretted having made Saul king, and from that moment on, Saul was cut off from God.

In the wars of human history, it has always been that after one side surrenders to the other as defeated, the winner must treat the loser with certain courtesies, that is, be civil to them. Saul did not respect this principle. He was like a “barbarian,” or an uncivilized person, person that is not civil. Someone excessively cruel, aggressive, insensitive, without culture or standards to guide his life. God is not like that, nor are His children. God gets angry with people like that. God did not prohibit wars, but although there are wars, there are rules that must be followed to be civil in them.

In marital relationships, lovers can become enemies in an instant. Words that cut and hurt are spoken without thinking. But when one is a true Christian, they restrain themselves. When both are Christians who understand this, problems are dealt with “civilly,” with discussion, not arguments, and the issue is resolved.

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

What many don’t understand is that they define who they are (children of God or children of the Devil) by their character, by their treatment of other human beings.

God is a Peacemaker

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

If God is a Being of peace (Judges 6:24, “Jehovah-Salom” means “Jehovah is peace”, 1 Corinthians 14:33; Romans 15:33), and the fruit of His Holy Spirit dwells within us, then He creates peace (Galatians 5:22 but the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace…).
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