Week 4- Day 2- How the Law is Relevant Today
On page 77 of Read the Bible for Life, the authors once again remind the reader that when Paul wrote in 2 Timothy "all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. . ." he was referring to the Old Testament because at that time, the New Testament as it stands today had not been compiled. (I wonder how the early churches knew to keep certain Pauline letters and the others me may have written ended up on the trash heap? Did the N.T. church know how important and God-inspired the New Testament writings were?)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
January 30, 2012
Gonna shelve Blackaby for a bit in favor of Read the Bible for Life. This is the current small group study at Ridgecrest and if I will write about the curriculum, I will be much more consistent in completing the lessons.
Interesting fact(?) I heard on the radio this week that ties in nicely to today's lesson. The speaker made the statement that each of the ten commandments were reinforced by Jesus EXCEPT the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. Supposed significance of this if indeed that is the case?
There are many much smarter and well-read than I who espouse that the Israel and the Jewish nation are still God's chosen nation. They interpret many verses in Revelation along with a host of O.T. verses to support this view. There are those much smarter and well-read than I who argue that when Israel rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah the Jewish people lost their covenant standing. I personally have not developed a strong conviction on either side of this issue; however, Jeremiah 31:31-34 does seem to be saying that the O.T. covenant based on do's and don'ts will be replaced by a new covenant based on a personal, one-on-one relationship with God. This personal, intimate relationship can only be achieved through a belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior.
Week 4- Day One- How the Law Fits into the Story
Interesting fact(?) I heard on the radio this week that ties in nicely to today's lesson. The speaker made the statement that each of the ten commandments were reinforced by Jesus EXCEPT the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. Supposed significance of this if indeed that is the case?
There are many much smarter and well-read than I who espouse that the Israel and the Jewish nation are still God's chosen nation. They interpret many verses in Revelation along with a host of O.T. verses to support this view. There are those much smarter and well-read than I who argue that when Israel rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah the Jewish people lost their covenant standing. I personally have not developed a strong conviction on either side of this issue; however, Jeremiah 31:31-34 does seem to be saying that the O.T. covenant based on do's and don'ts will be replaced by a new covenant based on a personal, one-on-one relationship with God. This personal, intimate relationship can only be achieved through a belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior.
Friday, January 27, 2012
January 27, 2012
Once again, God has allowed me to see His hand working in a very direct way in my life. On the 25th I wrote about the worry snakes creeping in late at night and how He had brought the 23rd Psalm to mind. As I opened the Blackaby book this morning, I was amazed to see the next several readings were from. . . drum roll please. . . the 23rd Psalm! So, dear reader, settle in for a few days of "The Lord is my Shepherd".
As I was reading through this psalm, a quote from Martin Luther came to mind. Martin Luther wrote, "I study my Bible like I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest may fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf. I search the Bible as a whole like shaking the whole tree. Then I shake every limb--study book after book. Then I shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters. Then I shake every twig, or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings."
I don't have the acumen or time to spend on each word of the Bible, but in this instance, one word from the 23rd Psalm did jump out at me. "The Lord IS my shepherd." Not "The Lord should be. . ." Not "The Lord will be. . ." "The Lord is when things get tough. . ." Simply "is".
For me "is" denotes several things. First, current. Second, definite. Third, factual. When I here the word "is" I get a sense of assuredness. That can of course change, but for the time being "is" means "is". No questions asked. No doubt. "It is, what it is". How many Christians can say with certainly that the Lord "is" their Shepherd all the time.
Which brings me to a final thought that I will throw out at closing.. Is the Lord my Shepherd even when I am not following His leading? Does a shepherd cease to be a shepherd when the sheep wander from him? Hmmm. . .
As I was reading through this psalm, a quote from Martin Luther came to mind. Martin Luther wrote, "I study my Bible like I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest may fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf. I search the Bible as a whole like shaking the whole tree. Then I shake every limb--study book after book. Then I shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters. Then I shake every twig, or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings."
I don't have the acumen or time to spend on each word of the Bible, but in this instance, one word from the 23rd Psalm did jump out at me. "The Lord IS my shepherd." Not "The Lord should be. . ." Not "The Lord will be. . ." "The Lord is when things get tough. . ." Simply "is".
For me "is" denotes several things. First, current. Second, definite. Third, factual. When I here the word "is" I get a sense of assuredness. That can of course change, but for the time being "is" means "is". No questions asked. No doubt. "It is, what it is". How many Christians can say with certainly that the Lord "is" their Shepherd all the time.
Which brings me to a final thought that I will throw out at closing.. Is the Lord my Shepherd even when I am not following His leading? Does a shepherd cease to be a shepherd when the sheep wander from him? Hmmm. . .
Loving Shepherd, as your lamb please help me to quiet enough to hear, wise enough enough to apply and courageous enough to obey.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
January 25, 2012
Last night the worries snakes crept back into my head. Things from the school spelling bee to test scores were on the verge of robbing me of a good 40. Since I am firmly convinced that worry is one of Satan's favorite weapons, I started to head down the rebuking Satan path. Then a thought occurred to me. When I combat the worries in that manner, the focus is:
A. on me ("I" rebuke, even if it is in name of the Lord)
B. on Satan.
I felt neither one of these were the best focus.
Instead I reverted to scripture. In this case I called the 23rd psalm to mind. In particular the first three verses. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul." In particular I focused on "makes me lie in green pastures" and "refreshes my soul".
I think it is interesting that the writer of this Psalm chose the word "makes". I know with Roxie, our big ol' mixed-breed dog, there are times Kristi and I have to make her calm down if she gets too excited or when we are hiking and she starts to show signs if heat stress. I can allow worry to spiral out of control. At those times, I do need God to make me calm down.
A refreshed soul was a second need I placed before the Lord last night. Life can tire, frustrate, devitalize and sap a person. Jobs, finances, obligations, even church can drain a person to the point of mental and physical exhaustion. In 1929, Coca-Cola's slogan was "The Pause that Refreshes". (Interesting side note- It was in 1929 Coca-Coke was 100% cocaine free.) Perhaps a bottle of Coke can momentarily allay one's thirst, but nothing compares to the refreshed feeling a person gets after placing each and every burden at the feet of Jehovah-Jireh. THAT is the "Pause that Refreshes".
A. on me ("I" rebuke, even if it is in name of the Lord)
B. on Satan.
I felt neither one of these were the best focus.
Instead I reverted to scripture. In this case I called the 23rd psalm to mind. In particular the first three verses. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul." In particular I focused on "makes me lie in green pastures" and "refreshes my soul".
I think it is interesting that the writer of this Psalm chose the word "makes". I know with Roxie, our big ol' mixed-breed dog, there are times Kristi and I have to make her calm down if she gets too excited or when we are hiking and she starts to show signs if heat stress. I can allow worry to spiral out of control. At those times, I do need God to make me calm down.
A refreshed soul was a second need I placed before the Lord last night. Life can tire, frustrate, devitalize and sap a person. Jobs, finances, obligations, even church can drain a person to the point of mental and physical exhaustion. In 1929, Coca-Cola's slogan was "The Pause that Refreshes". (Interesting side note- It was in 1929 Coca-Coke was 100% cocaine free.) Perhaps a bottle of Coke can momentarily allay one's thirst, but nothing compares to the refreshed feeling a person gets after placing each and every burden at the feet of Jehovah-Jireh. THAT is the "Pause that Refreshes".
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
January 24, 2012
Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. (Not liking the NIV translation as well as KJV, but want to keep consistent in the blog.)
Blackaby reminds the reader just how dependent sheep were on the shepherd. Food, water, shelter and safety were all provided by the shepherd. For a shepherd, his sheep were of utmost importance to him; therefore, a good shepherd would go to great lengths to provide the very best he had for his sheep. Think of what the "very best" our heavenly Father has, then realize that He wants to bestow that on each of his children.
Blackaby then poses the question, "Have you allowed your focus to shift from the Shepherd to what the Shepherd gives you?" Hmmm. . . That caused me to examine my prayers. Do I thank Him more for providing rather than being? Do I thank Him more for stuff than for His sacrifice?
While it is amazing that God would provide so richly for as undeserving person as me, what is even more incredible is that a perfect, holy, eternal God would deign leave His heavenly realm, live a life of pain and suffering, die an unimaginably painful death so that I could spend eternity with Him.* The Lord of Heaven and Earth, the Alpha and Omega, Yahweh allows me 24/7 access to Him. He is never tired, distracted or too busy. These things should be the main focus of my prayer, meditations and thanksgivings, not the "stuff" he provides for me.
Yes, I should be thankful for what He has allowed me to borrow for a few years on earth, but when one considers the wealth of God, the earthly things He gives me, are of little consequence to Him. However, my salvation, my access to Him, my restored relationship, those things cost Him dearly. It is these things that should bow my head and bend my knee.
*That eternity starts at the moment of salvation. It is not a when-I-die thing.
Monday, January 23, 2012
January 23, 2012
Matthew 5:13- "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
When Charles Barkley proclaimed in 1993 that he was not a role model, the press had a field day. For decades kids have wanted to emulate their favorite sports hero. Untold numbers of Little Leaguers have mimicked the Willie Stargell bat swing. Legions of NBA hopefuls have spent countless hours practicing MJ's fade away jumpshot. I wonder how many 11 year-old boys have written a 5th grade essay stating, "I want to be like Billy Graham with I grow up."? Not many I would guess.
But Blackaby reminds Christians that we are role models. Our lives do affect those around us. He asks some rather pointed questions in today's reading. Are the sinful influences in our work environment being halted because we are there? Is our community a better place because we are involved in it? What about our church? Our family?
When Charles Barkley proclaimed in 1993 that he was not a role model, the press had a field day. For decades kids have wanted to emulate their favorite sports hero. Untold numbers of Little Leaguers have mimicked the Willie Stargell bat swing. Legions of NBA hopefuls have spent countless hours practicing MJ's fade away jumpshot. I wonder how many 11 year-old boys have written a 5th grade essay stating, "I want to be like Billy Graham with I grow up."? Not many I would guess.
But Blackaby reminds Christians that we are role models. Our lives do affect those around us. He asks some rather pointed questions in today's reading. Are the sinful influences in our work environment being halted because we are there? Is our community a better place because we are involved in it? What about our church? Our family?
Like it or not, we are held to a higher standard. We are expected to act, speak and think differently than those without Christ in their lives. Am I allowing God to use me to make the world a better place? Not just by recycling. Even nonChristians do that. Not just by buying turkeys for the holiday baskets. Even atheists do that. But does my life count for something eternal? Am I allowing God to use me as a preserving agent to help my small part of the world become spiritually a better place rather than worse?
Wish Blackaby would quit meddling! :-)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
January 19, 2012
Been on that Mary and Martha trail this week. Luke 10:38-42
Jesus Christ tells us, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 (Sometimes the good, ol' KJV just sounds better.)
What a packed verse. A person could spend the better part of a week on this verse from Matthew.
However, what is especially relevant for me today is the connection between the Luke verses I first referenced and the verse from Matthew.
"Seek ye first". . . First. Preceding all others in time, order or importance. Earliest. Foremost. Primary. Headmost. Premier.
I have found that if I don't have my quiet time and study time first thing in the morning, I seldom "git 'er done". Off to work at 7 a.m. Home by 6 p.m. Dinner. Work on a "honey-do" or get in a set of tennis. All of a sudden, it's 10 p.m. and time to catch 40 before doing it again. Nothing inherently sinful in my evening. Nothing to be ashamed of about how my time was spent. EXCEPT. . . I was too busy for God. Too focused on the temporary to spend time on the eternal. For me, seeking Him first, means first in order of time in my day.
Also, "seek ye first" means in order of importance. I find it interesting that I seldom skip breakfast, lunch or dinner, but all too often go a day without an intentional quiet time. Rountree gets a good 8 from me each work day. But does God get even a good .5 from me each day? Sadly, "no". Premier. Primary. First. Time with God has to take a place of "preeminence" in my life on a DAILY basis. Not just in theory, but in practice.
Heavenly Father, I confess to you that placing t.v., work, even family before You is a sin. You deserve and require a "firstness" in my life I have not given You. Please continue to convict my spirit and guide my actions so that each day I will strive to "seek ye first" in time and importance.
Jesus Christ tells us, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 (Sometimes the good, ol' KJV just sounds better.)
What a packed verse. A person could spend the better part of a week on this verse from Matthew.
However, what is especially relevant for me today is the connection between the Luke verses I first referenced and the verse from Matthew.
"Seek ye first". . . First. Preceding all others in time, order or importance. Earliest. Foremost. Primary. Headmost. Premier.
I have found that if I don't have my quiet time and study time first thing in the morning, I seldom "git 'er done". Off to work at 7 a.m. Home by 6 p.m. Dinner. Work on a "honey-do" or get in a set of tennis. All of a sudden, it's 10 p.m. and time to catch 40 before doing it again. Nothing inherently sinful in my evening. Nothing to be ashamed of about how my time was spent. EXCEPT. . . I was too busy for God. Too focused on the temporary to spend time on the eternal. For me, seeking Him first, means first in order of time in my day.
Also, "seek ye first" means in order of importance. I find it interesting that I seldom skip breakfast, lunch or dinner, but all too often go a day without an intentional quiet time. Rountree gets a good 8 from me each work day. But does God get even a good .5 from me each day? Sadly, "no". Premier. Primary. First. Time with God has to take a place of "preeminence" in my life on a DAILY basis. Not just in theory, but in practice.
Heavenly Father, I confess to you that placing t.v., work, even family before You is a sin. You deserve and require a "firstness" in my life I have not given You. Please continue to convict my spirit and guide my actions so that each day I will strive to "seek ye first" in time and importance.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
January 14, 2011
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
God must REALLY want me to pay attention to this idea because it came up in my Blackaby reading and was one of the featured verses in a daily lesson from our current small group series at Ridgecrest. (Luke 9:23-24 Then he (Jesus) said to them all, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it."
On the surface, the call the deny oneself seems straightforward. Do what God wants, not what we want. Give up stuff for the Kingdom. BUT. . . What does God want for each believer? How much "stuff" do we give up? How Spartan a life do we live so we have more "stuff" to give to God?
These are questions I have struggled with for quite a while. When I look around our house, I see many things that $$ have purchased that have no Kingdom value. In the basement alone I see old cameras I purchased on eBay to be used just as "design elements" (at least that is what HGTV calls such objects). There is an old leaded-glass window panel we bought in Eureka Springs that is sitting on the mantle just for decoration. A new ceiling light fixture was purchased to replace the old one which was working fine, but this new one complements the decor. Let's not even venture into my closet.
Then there is the whole time issue. How many volunteer hours at a food bank, soup kitchen or church committees is enough? Is watching an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" ever a Kingdom use of time?
I don't know the answer to these questions, but I do know that I have been unsettled with these questions long enough that God must be trying to tell me something. I think I am just not being quiet enough long enough to get His whole message.
All that is just one point from today's reading. The second line of thought from these New Testament verses will be explored tomorrow.
Please pray what I will seek God's leading in the area of self-denial and then will be obedient when He reveals His will for me.
God must REALLY want me to pay attention to this idea because it came up in my Blackaby reading and was one of the featured verses in a daily lesson from our current small group series at Ridgecrest. (Luke 9:23-24 Then he (Jesus) said to them all, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it."
On the surface, the call the deny oneself seems straightforward. Do what God wants, not what we want. Give up stuff for the Kingdom. BUT. . . What does God want for each believer? How much "stuff" do we give up? How Spartan a life do we live so we have more "stuff" to give to God?
These are questions I have struggled with for quite a while. When I look around our house, I see many things that $$ have purchased that have no Kingdom value. In the basement alone I see old cameras I purchased on eBay to be used just as "design elements" (at least that is what HGTV calls such objects). There is an old leaded-glass window panel we bought in Eureka Springs that is sitting on the mantle just for decoration. A new ceiling light fixture was purchased to replace the old one which was working fine, but this new one complements the decor. Let's not even venture into my closet.
Then there is the whole time issue. How many volunteer hours at a food bank, soup kitchen or church committees is enough? Is watching an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" ever a Kingdom use of time?
I don't know the answer to these questions, but I do know that I have been unsettled with these questions long enough that God must be trying to tell me something. I think I am just not being quiet enough long enough to get His whole message.
All that is just one point from today's reading. The second line of thought from these New Testament verses will be explored tomorrow.
Please pray what I will seek God's leading in the area of self-denial and then will be obedient when He reveals His will for me.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
January 11, 2012
The Blackaby journal I am currently using for my morning readings is a copy I had used very infrequently several years ago. I had made a few entries, then as I oft do, I had lost interest and started half-heartedly on another "personal spiritual journey". When I opened the journal to my reading today, I was greeted with an interesting entry that was 11- years old.
The focus verses were 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9
3:12- May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and everyone else, just as ours does for you.
4:9- Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
I had written in the margin the following: "God you know that my love of self many times overrides my love of others. God help me today to put others before me. May I find the patience to listen today to what is important to others."
Luckily I had written the year when I first dabbled in this Blackaby book--2000! That 11-year old entry is just as relevant for me today as it was over a decade ago.
Have I improved in this area? Perhaps, but not much. I am pretty good at the "big" shows of love. The Christmas gifts for the down-and-out family at school. Helping a friend with a washing machine belt at 10 o'clock at night. The 8:30 p.m., 26 degree jump start for the dead battery. But how about getting excited with Kristi because she has learned a new crochet stitch? Do I encourage those in our home and at work, or am I always looking for the thing that can be improved?
My prayer from 2000- "God help me to put others before me" is just as relevant, necessary and needed as it was 11 years ago. I would agree with the adage "No matter how much things change, they always stay the same", with a slight modification. "No matter how much things change, they always stay the same if attempted changes are without God."
The glacial progress in my ability (willingness?) to love others has been a result of my not turning it over to God on a weekly, daily, hourly basis. If I want to increase my capacity love others, I need much more intentionality and consistency in my prayers.
The focus verses were 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9
3:12- May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and everyone else, just as ours does for you.
4:9- Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
I had written in the margin the following: "God you know that my love of self many times overrides my love of others. God help me today to put others before me. May I find the patience to listen today to what is important to others."
Luckily I had written the year when I first dabbled in this Blackaby book--2000! That 11-year old entry is just as relevant for me today as it was over a decade ago.
Have I improved in this area? Perhaps, but not much. I am pretty good at the "big" shows of love. The Christmas gifts for the down-and-out family at school. Helping a friend with a washing machine belt at 10 o'clock at night. The 8:30 p.m., 26 degree jump start for the dead battery. But how about getting excited with Kristi because she has learned a new crochet stitch? Do I encourage those in our home and at work, or am I always looking for the thing that can be improved?
My prayer from 2000- "God help me to put others before me" is just as relevant, necessary and needed as it was 11 years ago. I would agree with the adage "No matter how much things change, they always stay the same", with a slight modification. "No matter how much things change, they always stay the same if attempted changes are without God."
The glacial progress in my ability (willingness?) to love others has been a result of my not turning it over to God on a weekly, daily, hourly basis. If I want to increase my capacity love others, I need much more intentionality and consistency in my prayers.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
January 6, 2012
John 14:21 "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."
Obedience from love!?! Not from fear? Not because of what God will do for me? Not out of a sense of guilt? Obedience from love- what a refreshing concept.
I think that my life of disobedience has been the result of obedience for all the wrong reasons. While I have made great strides in this area, I still find myself making decisions based on whether God will be "mad" at me or not. Will He "punish" me if I do A or B? Fleeting thoughts of "how will He reward me if I do C or D?" still flash through my mind.
Obedience motivated through love- In theory, "Of course". In practice, "Sometimes, most of the time, but not all the time".
For me the next logical question is, "How do I develop that type of motivating love?"
A nonexhaustive list (additions to this list appreciated)
1. Quiet, alone time with God.
2. Time spent in His Word.
3. Remembering and dwelling on His sacrifice for me.
4. Recalling and listing the MANY times He has protected and redirected me after I have made potentially devastating decisions.
5. Recalling and listing the myriad of blessings He has provided and continues to provide me.
6. Other _____________________________
I disagree with Blackaby on a point in his entry for today's verse. He writes on page 42 "Some claim, 'I love God but am having difficulty obeying him in certain areas of my life.' That is a spiritual impossibility." (italics mine)
I don't believe that "difficulty obeying" equates with a lack of love. In fact, one could almost argue the inverse. The fact that I recognize I have areas of difficulty attest to the my confessitorial spirit and can lead to a greater level of obedience in those challenging areas.
If difficulty with obedience in certain areas demonstrated a lack of love for God, then the New Testament apostles Peter and Paul would also be guilty of not loving God.
Obedience from love!?! Not from fear? Not because of what God will do for me? Not out of a sense of guilt? Obedience from love- what a refreshing concept.
I think that my life of disobedience has been the result of obedience for all the wrong reasons. While I have made great strides in this area, I still find myself making decisions based on whether God will be "mad" at me or not. Will He "punish" me if I do A or B? Fleeting thoughts of "how will He reward me if I do C or D?" still flash through my mind.
Obedience motivated through love- In theory, "Of course". In practice, "Sometimes, most of the time, but not all the time".
For me the next logical question is, "How do I develop that type of motivating love?"
A nonexhaustive list (additions to this list appreciated)
1. Quiet, alone time with God.
2. Time spent in His Word.
3. Remembering and dwelling on His sacrifice for me.
4. Recalling and listing the MANY times He has protected and redirected me after I have made potentially devastating decisions.
5. Recalling and listing the myriad of blessings He has provided and continues to provide me.
6. Other _____________________________
I disagree with Blackaby on a point in his entry for today's verse. He writes on page 42 "Some claim, 'I love God but am having difficulty obeying him in certain areas of my life.' That is a spiritual impossibility." (italics mine)
I don't believe that "difficulty obeying" equates with a lack of love. In fact, one could almost argue the inverse. The fact that I recognize I have areas of difficulty attest to the my confessitorial spirit and can lead to a greater level of obedience in those challenging areas.
If difficulty with obedience in certain areas demonstrated a lack of love for God, then the New Testament apostles Peter and Paul would also be guilty of not loving God.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
January 4, 2012
Romans 12:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.
Holy Schnikes! Does this verse say what it appears to be saying? Not all sin is universal? What may be wrong for me is not necessarily wrong for you? Sounds like situational ethics to me.
But I thought the A. Baptists B. Catholics C. Methodists D. Other had the corner on what was sin and what was not. How can "my" or "your" church feel superior if it does not have the inside track on what God condemns as wrong?
In further reading of Romans 14, three things become clear. First, actions which may be sinful for one, may not be sinful for another. Second, I do have a responsibility to others in regards to the choices I make. If something I do or say causes another to "stumble" I am "no longer acting in love". Third, if God convicts me, I need to act. To be convicted and not take action is sin. Guess I had better attend to some specks and quit worrying about planks.
Thought-provoking sidenote- When I mentioned situational ethics in this entry, I did a little research. I have always heard situational ethics derided from the pulpit. "Right is right" and "wrong is wrong" was the mantra. It was interesting to note that according to Wikipedia (not the end-all resource of facts), situational ethics is a Christian ethical theory developed in the 1960s by an Episcopal priest. (see article) Hmmm. . .
Holy Schnikes! Does this verse say what it appears to be saying? Not all sin is universal? What may be wrong for me is not necessarily wrong for you? Sounds like situational ethics to me.
But I thought the A. Baptists B. Catholics C. Methodists D. Other had the corner on what was sin and what was not. How can "my" or "your" church feel superior if it does not have the inside track on what God condemns as wrong?
In further reading of Romans 14, three things become clear. First, actions which may be sinful for one, may not be sinful for another. Second, I do have a responsibility to others in regards to the choices I make. If something I do or say causes another to "stumble" I am "no longer acting in love". Third, if God convicts me, I need to act. To be convicted and not take action is sin. Guess I had better attend to some specks and quit worrying about planks.
Thought-provoking sidenote- When I mentioned situational ethics in this entry, I did a little research. I have always heard situational ethics derided from the pulpit. "Right is right" and "wrong is wrong" was the mantra. It was interesting to note that according to Wikipedia (not the end-all resource of facts), situational ethics is a Christian ethical theory developed in the 1960s by an Episcopal priest. (see article) Hmmm. . .
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