Romans 14:19-23 (NIV)
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
What have you done lately to keep the peace? In verse 19 Paul calls us to a life of peace and mutual edification. It sounds so easy and yet is so hard. It is hard sometimes to keep the peace in the home, let alone with hundreds of people. I like how Paul says, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to...". We can only make the effort and leave the results with God. I must do what I can and then leave it. I think we will read too much into these verses if we do not keep our eyes on Christ. We are not called to be door mats. Truth in love must be spoken and lived out. Verse 21 is, again, on the theme of causing your brother to fall. What does this mean to cause a brother to fall? I would say that it means for you to cause someone to go against their conscience. What you do in front of them causes them to do that thing and it is not what they believe to be good for them. Verses 22 and 23 get into the whole issue of conscience. When you read chapter one of Romans you see that there are people who have no conscience and now we are talking about people who seem to have a very sensitive conscience. The point is that we all have a conscience and we are to listen to it and we are to listen to God. A fun question to raise is one of conscience changing. Can a person change their conscience? If you discover that God approves a certain behavior that you once thought was wrong, then can you at least not be offended if someone does that in front of you? Can you eventually enjoy meat? Have a great day and do what you can to create peace.
First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Romans 14:13-21 (NIV)
Romans 14:13-21 (NIV)
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
The words, "If your brother is distressed because of what you eat..." has caused some distress in believer's communities. I went to a school that I believe built it's rule book around those who might get distressed over this or that. These are strong words, "Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died." Distressed and destroy are two words that would make anyone hesitate in doing something that would cause such upheaval. If you for instance felt it was okay to go to church on Saturday night so you could sleep in on Sunday, but a close friend of yours felt it was wrong, should you stop going to church on Saturday nights? Should the church stop having Saturday night services? If the music of the church is causing some believers to have distress and could destroy other believer's faith, should the church stop that music? The list goes on and on. Notice the meat thing keeps coming up. Paul has stopped using the holy days and stuck with the meat-and-eating theme. I believe there is a reason for this and that is the meat that Paul is talking about has been sacrificed to demons. It couldn't have been pork or Paul would of just said the word pork instead of making it so vague ( simply meat). Paul had to take on the same issue in Corinth. It will take a little more time, but let's look into 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (NIV)
23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26 for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
28 But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake--
29 the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?
30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--
33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Make sure you read Paul carefully as he goes over a very delicate issue. I believe some of the same things were happening in Rome. This is why Paul keeps up with the theme of meat. If my assumptions are correct, then that of eating what has been sacrificed to idols could cause distress and destroy someone's faith. Yet think of all the other items that can be put on the list. In Romans 15:1 Paul uses the term the weaker brother. It is my conviction, based upon Scripture and watching the life of Christ, that we cannot let the weaker brother rule in every area of life for fear of causing distress. We would never reach anyone for Christ. We have to be very careful as to how we understand and apply what Paul is saying in Romans and Corinthians. The best part is when Paul says, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Let us enjoy what God has purchased for us.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
The words, "If your brother is distressed because of what you eat..." has caused some distress in believer's communities. I went to a school that I believe built it's rule book around those who might get distressed over this or that. These are strong words, "Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died." Distressed and destroy are two words that would make anyone hesitate in doing something that would cause such upheaval. If you for instance felt it was okay to go to church on Saturday night so you could sleep in on Sunday, but a close friend of yours felt it was wrong, should you stop going to church on Saturday nights? Should the church stop having Saturday night services? If the music of the church is causing some believers to have distress and could destroy other believer's faith, should the church stop that music? The list goes on and on. Notice the meat thing keeps coming up. Paul has stopped using the holy days and stuck with the meat-and-eating theme. I believe there is a reason for this and that is the meat that Paul is talking about has been sacrificed to demons. It couldn't have been pork or Paul would of just said the word pork instead of making it so vague ( simply meat). Paul had to take on the same issue in Corinth. It will take a little more time, but let's look into 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (NIV)
23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26 for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
28 But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake--
29 the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?
30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--
33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Make sure you read Paul carefully as he goes over a very delicate issue. I believe some of the same things were happening in Rome. This is why Paul keeps up with the theme of meat. If my assumptions are correct, then that of eating what has been sacrificed to idols could cause distress and destroy someone's faith. Yet think of all the other items that can be put on the list. In Romans 15:1 Paul uses the term the weaker brother. It is my conviction, based upon Scripture and watching the life of Christ, that we cannot let the weaker brother rule in every area of life for fear of causing distress. We would never reach anyone for Christ. We have to be very careful as to how we understand and apply what Paul is saying in Romans and Corinthians. The best part is when Paul says, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Let us enjoy what God has purchased for us.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Romans 14:9-14 (NIV)
Romans 14:9-14 (NIV)
9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
I have been told that wearing a beard is wrong.
I have been told that wearing short pants is wrong.
I have been told, at one time, that my hair was too long (it was over my ears).
I have been told that music with a beat is wrong.
I have been told that using any other version of the Bible other than the KJV is wrong.
I have been told that eating out on Sunday was wrong.
If you challenged these so-called wrongs you felt judged. In my circumstance I felt it because I was told that I was not pleasing the Lord. There is entirely too much judging going on in the church at large these days. We must remember who the Lord is and that we all report to Him. It is one of the most sobering thoughts that I have and that is I have to give an accounting of my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. What we must do is act out of love and not be a stumbling block to others. This is a very tricky statement. I think in the end we are not to force our views on others when it comes to disputable matters. Then the question comes, "What are the disputable matters?" Once the disputable matters are agreed upon it is still incumbent upon me to show love.
Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)
9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
I have been told that wearing a beard is wrong.
I have been told that wearing short pants is wrong.
I have been told, at one time, that my hair was too long (it was over my ears).
I have been told that music with a beat is wrong.
I have been told that using any other version of the Bible other than the KJV is wrong.
I have been told that eating out on Sunday was wrong.
If you challenged these so-called wrongs you felt judged. In my circumstance I felt it because I was told that I was not pleasing the Lord. There is entirely too much judging going on in the church at large these days. We must remember who the Lord is and that we all report to Him. It is one of the most sobering thoughts that I have and that is I have to give an accounting of my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. What we must do is act out of love and not be a stumbling block to others. This is a very tricky statement. I think in the end we are not to force our views on others when it comes to disputable matters. Then the question comes, "What are the disputable matters?" Once the disputable matters are agreed upon it is still incumbent upon me to show love.
Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Romans 14:5-11 (NIV)
Romans 14:5-11 (NIV)
5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.
8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
Evidently there were those in Rome who saw one day as more sacred than another and Paul allows that as long as there is freedom. Freedom of conscience is what Paul is basing his argument on in this passage. It is a great line when the apostle says, "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Once you search the Scriptures and are convinced either way about eating meat or that some days are special or are not special, then you can hold to that conviction. However, you cannot hold others to that same conviction. I have noticed that once a person makes up their mind they usually want others to follow suit. I would guess that is the herd mentality. It is hard for many to believe that we as followers of Christ can have differences and still worship and work together. The ones that have a hard time with this unity in diversity are usually the followers of Christ. The genius of the church is that it is an organism that is organized around the person of Jesus Christ. The church is not organized around a philosophy, a set of beliefs, or even truth. The church is totally and absolutely wrapped around Jesus Christ. We can still be interested in philosophy, beliefs, and truth, but our primary objective is to walk with the Savior. This is why Paul now interjects Jesus into the argument when he says, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord." We are all going to have to answer to the Lord so stop the judging and get on with living for the Lord! I sometimes think we are more of a busybody than we care to admit. All of us need to mind our own business because that is what we are going to have to answer for in the end. I cannot answer for your life nor you about my life. I think that is a good thing, don't you? Here is what Chuck Swindoll has to say about this subject.
Remind the religious phony that the splinter within your eye is between you and your Lord, and to pay attention to the tree trunk in his own eye.
Charles R. Swindoll (1934– )
5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.
8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
Evidently there were those in Rome who saw one day as more sacred than another and Paul allows that as long as there is freedom. Freedom of conscience is what Paul is basing his argument on in this passage. It is a great line when the apostle says, "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Once you search the Scriptures and are convinced either way about eating meat or that some days are special or are not special, then you can hold to that conviction. However, you cannot hold others to that same conviction. I have noticed that once a person makes up their mind they usually want others to follow suit. I would guess that is the herd mentality. It is hard for many to believe that we as followers of Christ can have differences and still worship and work together. The ones that have a hard time with this unity in diversity are usually the followers of Christ. The genius of the church is that it is an organism that is organized around the person of Jesus Christ. The church is not organized around a philosophy, a set of beliefs, or even truth. The church is totally and absolutely wrapped around Jesus Christ. We can still be interested in philosophy, beliefs, and truth, but our primary objective is to walk with the Savior. This is why Paul now interjects Jesus into the argument when he says, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord." We are all going to have to answer to the Lord so stop the judging and get on with living for the Lord! I sometimes think we are more of a busybody than we care to admit. All of us need to mind our own business because that is what we are going to have to answer for in the end. I cannot answer for your life nor you about my life. I think that is a good thing, don't you? Here is what Chuck Swindoll has to say about this subject.
Remind the religious phony that the splinter within your eye is between you and your Lord, and to pay attention to the tree trunk in his own eye.
Charles R. Swindoll (1934– )
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Romans 14:1-14 (NIV)
Romans 14:1-4 (NIV)
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
It is sure easier to have unity when everyone knows the rules to play by. In the Scriptures we have God clearly condemning some behavior and commanding us to do other things. We can have unity around those items, but it is when Scripture isn't clear that problems can really develop. The gray areas of life can really test our love for one another. People will say I have a strong conviction about this or that, but a strong conviction does not equal a verse of Scripture. Paul lays down some principles that are useful in those type of disputes. Paul tells us to accept those whose faith is weak. We are to accept them without passing judgment on them about those disputable matters. In this case Paul uses the issue of food. You have one person who can eat anything and another who can only eat vegetables. The person who can eat anything must not look down on those who are restricted in their diet. The person who cannot eat everything is accepted by God. Paul takes us back to the bigger issue as to how to use freedom. Do we use freedom to get our way or do we use freedom to serve others? There are many disputable matters and both sides need to learn not to judge the other side. This is easier said than done. At my church in Charlotte, some people thought it was wrong to eat food or even have coffee in the church on Sunday. We had to have meetings with these people and walk them through Scripture on this issue. They who thought it was wrong to eat in the church also thought they had a Bible verse to back up their claim. They were taking the Bible verse way out of context. They finally agreed that they didn't have to eat on Sunday at the church or even have coffee if that bothered them. We also agreed that there were those people who felt free to eat on Sunday and have coffee and they wouldn't judge them for doing so. These were not easy meetings. People get really attached to their convictions and their ways of doing things. We must be careful with disputable matters and when dealing with each other on those matters.
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
It is sure easier to have unity when everyone knows the rules to play by. In the Scriptures we have God clearly condemning some behavior and commanding us to do other things. We can have unity around those items, but it is when Scripture isn't clear that problems can really develop. The gray areas of life can really test our love for one another. People will say I have a strong conviction about this or that, but a strong conviction does not equal a verse of Scripture. Paul lays down some principles that are useful in those type of disputes. Paul tells us to accept those whose faith is weak. We are to accept them without passing judgment on them about those disputable matters. In this case Paul uses the issue of food. You have one person who can eat anything and another who can only eat vegetables. The person who can eat anything must not look down on those who are restricted in their diet. The person who cannot eat everything is accepted by God. Paul takes us back to the bigger issue as to how to use freedom. Do we use freedom to get our way or do we use freedom to serve others? There are many disputable matters and both sides need to learn not to judge the other side. This is easier said than done. At my church in Charlotte, some people thought it was wrong to eat food or even have coffee in the church on Sunday. We had to have meetings with these people and walk them through Scripture on this issue. They who thought it was wrong to eat in the church also thought they had a Bible verse to back up their claim. They were taking the Bible verse way out of context. They finally agreed that they didn't have to eat on Sunday at the church or even have coffee if that bothered them. We also agreed that there were those people who felt free to eat on Sunday and have coffee and they wouldn't judge them for doing so. These were not easy meetings. People get really attached to their convictions and their ways of doing things. We must be careful with disputable matters and when dealing with each other on those matters.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)
Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
When Paul says, "And do this..." we have to ask is he referring to the "...Love your neighbor as yourself." (verse 9) or is it from the top of the chapter? In this instance I believe it goes back to verses 8-10, because of Paul's insistence to lay aside the deeds of darkness which have to do with the commandments of do not covet and so forth, which is about loving others. Do you feel a chill in the room when Paul says, "The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber..."? Evidently Paul had heard that the church in Rome had become a little careless. Paul explains that the hour of our salvation is nearer now than when they had first believed. This is a reference to the second coming of Christ. One of the themes in the New Testament is that the disciples believed Jesus was coming back real soon. It was Ben Johnson who said, "There is nothing like a hanging to focus the mind." These disciples where extremely focused and some of that had to do with meeting Jesus either by death or by His coming back. Paul is pleading with them as he continues to argue his case that the night in nearly over and the day is almost here, which is another reference to Christ's return. If this be the case then put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. If the darkness is going to lose and it is wrong, then go with the light which is the right way and is the winner. In context the armor of light, in part, is doing the deeds of light i.e. "behave decently." The deeds of darkness is the opposite of the deeds of light. Look what he names in those deeds. When we look at the list that includes orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery as things of darkness. We get those as sins. However, what about dissension and jealousy? Do we really get that these are sins as well? Dissension and jealousy can almost parade itself as righteous acts. I am speaking the truth that no one seems willing to speak or their ministry is really not of God or that wouldn't have happened, etc. Doesn't that sound holy? Notice how Paul places dissension and jealousy in a list that includes orgies! Real transformation has to do with everyday choices. It has to do with clothing ourselves with Christ so we do not allow our sinful selves to rise up and make bad choices. This is about obedience. Listen to what author Jerry Bridges has to say about this: "It is time for us Christians, to face up to our responsibility for holiness." Too often we say we are “defeated” by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient. It might be well if we stopped using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms obedience and disobedience.
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
When Paul says, "And do this..." we have to ask is he referring to the "...Love your neighbor as yourself." (verse 9) or is it from the top of the chapter? In this instance I believe it goes back to verses 8-10, because of Paul's insistence to lay aside the deeds of darkness which have to do with the commandments of do not covet and so forth, which is about loving others. Do you feel a chill in the room when Paul says, "The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber..."? Evidently Paul had heard that the church in Rome had become a little careless. Paul explains that the hour of our salvation is nearer now than when they had first believed. This is a reference to the second coming of Christ. One of the themes in the New Testament is that the disciples believed Jesus was coming back real soon. It was Ben Johnson who said, "There is nothing like a hanging to focus the mind." These disciples where extremely focused and some of that had to do with meeting Jesus either by death or by His coming back. Paul is pleading with them as he continues to argue his case that the night in nearly over and the day is almost here, which is another reference to Christ's return. If this be the case then put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. If the darkness is going to lose and it is wrong, then go with the light which is the right way and is the winner. In context the armor of light, in part, is doing the deeds of light i.e. "behave decently." The deeds of darkness is the opposite of the deeds of light. Look what he names in those deeds. When we look at the list that includes orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery as things of darkness. We get those as sins. However, what about dissension and jealousy? Do we really get that these are sins as well? Dissension and jealousy can almost parade itself as righteous acts. I am speaking the truth that no one seems willing to speak or their ministry is really not of God or that wouldn't have happened, etc. Doesn't that sound holy? Notice how Paul places dissension and jealousy in a list that includes orgies! Real transformation has to do with everyday choices. It has to do with clothing ourselves with Christ so we do not allow our sinful selves to rise up and make bad choices. This is about obedience. Listen to what author Jerry Bridges has to say about this: "It is time for us Christians, to face up to our responsibility for holiness." Too often we say we are “defeated” by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient. It might be well if we stopped using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms obedience and disobedience.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Romans 13:6-10 (NIV)
Romans 13:6-10 (NIV)
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ouch! Does the Scriptures really have to say we have to pay our taxes? Yes. Rome collected from their own people and those nations they conquered. I am sure there was corruption back in those days as we have today. Yet, Paul knowing all of this, said that they were to pay their taxes. If you owe someone then pay them. Look at the way we can owe people. The currency of owing someone is not always the currency of money. We are to show respect or honor if it is due. The only debt we are to owe all the time is the debt to love one another. This love thing is a big thing. We as followers of Christ are to really show forth the love of God in and through our lives. Paul goes back to the law to prove his point as to love really is important. We fulfill the law if we love our fellowman. Paul names some of the commandments that we fulfill in loving others. The one rule sums up the many rules. If we love, we will for instance, not covet our neighbor's wife. At the very least if we understand love, love does not bring any harm to those around us.
If your love be pure, simple, and well ordered, you shall be free from bondage.
Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ouch! Does the Scriptures really have to say we have to pay our taxes? Yes. Rome collected from their own people and those nations they conquered. I am sure there was corruption back in those days as we have today. Yet, Paul knowing all of this, said that they were to pay their taxes. If you owe someone then pay them. Look at the way we can owe people. The currency of owing someone is not always the currency of money. We are to show respect or honor if it is due. The only debt we are to owe all the time is the debt to love one another. This love thing is a big thing. We as followers of Christ are to really show forth the love of God in and through our lives. Paul goes back to the law to prove his point as to love really is important. We fulfill the law if we love our fellowman. Paul names some of the commandments that we fulfill in loving others. The one rule sums up the many rules. If we love, we will for instance, not covet our neighbor's wife. At the very least if we understand love, love does not bring any harm to those around us.
If your love be pure, simple, and well ordered, you shall be free from bondage.
Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)
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