S - 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31-11:1 (NIV): "“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. … 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. 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
O - This instruction has always been a problem for both individuals and groups. It is an awesome recognition of the full freedom followers of Jesus have AND the focus their lives should maintain … the glory of God and the good of others. The confusion (and it is a tragic confusion) is not over the focus but the means … not causing one to stumble regardless of their cultural/religious moorings. What seems to happen at this point is the not stumbling becomes the focus rather than God's glory … the list of unacceptable behaviors (lawful by God's word … which is all about his glory… but) deemed unacceptable due to stumbling concerns. It becomes an intense conversation and expectation of what one may not do and this is so contrary to Jesus, the Kingdom and real life. People will zealously not do certain things and demand others not do them as well and all the while they are not LOVING their neighbors as themselves. Love is an action and it is the foundation of all the King and his Kingdom are about. How can not engaging in tangible acts of love be acceptable as long as one does not do the current don't do list? Many people who are hostile toward "the church" seem to be so for the lack of love not because they saw a church member drink or smoke or chew or go with those who do. The hypocrisy the church is most often accused of involves people whose lives failed in the scriptural prohibitions while maintain the cultural ones (e.g. sexual or financial scandal, etc.). Religious people, following hard after the list of "don’ts" begin to withdraw from all the "sinners" who do. This also is polar opposite to Jesus who is the friend of sinners. Paul's point of seeking the good of all was that all could hear and have the opportunity to come near Jesus not so folks would isolate themselves. The application of this stumbling block concern is directly connected with following the example of Jesus … Sabbath breaking, friend of sinners, get the inside of the cup clean, Jesus.
A - I am never exempt from loving. I am never exempt from getting the 2x4 out of my own eye. I am never exempt from the written voice and its clear instruction of what to do and what not to do. I am never exempt from taking my current understanding and lining it up with the example of Jesus and making sure I am at least in his shadow if not directly in his footsteps. Jesus wants me to keep the main thing the main thing. Religion/culture is always straining at gnats and swallowing camels. Jesus' focus is on the inside and what is currently unseen … religion/culture is only focused on the outside and what is seen. What is seen is temporary and passing away. What is unseen is eternal. Once stumbling blocks are about what is seen we've slipped to that which is not the point … ever! The parable of the Good Samaritan applies here. The three Hebrews (religious) had no problem being seen passing-by their fellow Hebrew and leaving him to die on the side of the road but they would never be seen failing to wash their hands. Jesus' question remains true for me and for all: why do we hold on to the traditions of men and set aside the commands of God? We stumble and fall over the tragic misunderstanding of what a stumbling block actually is. If helping the lost be found and the unsaved saved is the goal then not doing does not carry the day. Only the doing of love … for God so loved that he gave!
P - Lord of Life, Love and me,
I don't want to get indignant with others over this issue … I want to get my little life right on this issue with you! Lord, let your life come into me and your life come out of me. Lord, forgive me for ever and whenever the focus has shifted to a list of what not to do rather than your commands to love, believe, hope, listen, and obey. Against loving there is no law:)! Thank you for loving me with all my faults and failures … my blind spots and misapplications. Lord, enable me to learn your ways and not the ways of mere religion. I admit I have some religion/culture because I am human. But you never want me to mistake my culture/religion for the kingdom. Lord, help me be a reason someone else might believe. Help me live out loud in such a way as to bring you glory, make you glad and be a source of life and refreshing to all. Jesus, thank you for being the friend of sinners so you could be my friend and I could be yours. Lord, your kingdom and kingship come on earth, in me, like it is in heaven. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Steve
O - This instruction has always been a problem for both individuals and groups. It is an awesome recognition of the full freedom followers of Jesus have AND the focus their lives should maintain … the glory of God and the good of others. The confusion (and it is a tragic confusion) is not over the focus but the means … not causing one to stumble regardless of their cultural/religious moorings. What seems to happen at this point is the not stumbling becomes the focus rather than God's glory … the list of unacceptable behaviors (lawful by God's word … which is all about his glory… but) deemed unacceptable due to stumbling concerns. It becomes an intense conversation and expectation of what one may not do and this is so contrary to Jesus, the Kingdom and real life. People will zealously not do certain things and demand others not do them as well and all the while they are not LOVING their neighbors as themselves. Love is an action and it is the foundation of all the King and his Kingdom are about. How can not engaging in tangible acts of love be acceptable as long as one does not do the current don't do list? Many people who are hostile toward "the church" seem to be so for the lack of love not because they saw a church member drink or smoke or chew or go with those who do. The hypocrisy the church is most often accused of involves people whose lives failed in the scriptural prohibitions while maintain the cultural ones (e.g. sexual or financial scandal, etc.). Religious people, following hard after the list of "don’ts" begin to withdraw from all the "sinners" who do. This also is polar opposite to Jesus who is the friend of sinners. Paul's point of seeking the good of all was that all could hear and have the opportunity to come near Jesus not so folks would isolate themselves. The application of this stumbling block concern is directly connected with following the example of Jesus … Sabbath breaking, friend of sinners, get the inside of the cup clean, Jesus.
A - I am never exempt from loving. I am never exempt from getting the 2x4 out of my own eye. I am never exempt from the written voice and its clear instruction of what to do and what not to do. I am never exempt from taking my current understanding and lining it up with the example of Jesus and making sure I am at least in his shadow if not directly in his footsteps. Jesus wants me to keep the main thing the main thing. Religion/culture is always straining at gnats and swallowing camels. Jesus' focus is on the inside and what is currently unseen … religion/culture is only focused on the outside and what is seen. What is seen is temporary and passing away. What is unseen is eternal. Once stumbling blocks are about what is seen we've slipped to that which is not the point … ever! The parable of the Good Samaritan applies here. The three Hebrews (religious) had no problem being seen passing-by their fellow Hebrew and leaving him to die on the side of the road but they would never be seen failing to wash their hands. Jesus' question remains true for me and for all: why do we hold on to the traditions of men and set aside the commands of God? We stumble and fall over the tragic misunderstanding of what a stumbling block actually is. If helping the lost be found and the unsaved saved is the goal then not doing does not carry the day. Only the doing of love … for God so loved that he gave!
P - Lord of Life, Love and me,
I don't want to get indignant with others over this issue … I want to get my little life right on this issue with you! Lord, let your life come into me and your life come out of me. Lord, forgive me for ever and whenever the focus has shifted to a list of what not to do rather than your commands to love, believe, hope, listen, and obey. Against loving there is no law:)! Thank you for loving me with all my faults and failures … my blind spots and misapplications. Lord, enable me to learn your ways and not the ways of mere religion. I admit I have some religion/culture because I am human. But you never want me to mistake my culture/religion for the kingdom. Lord, help me be a reason someone else might believe. Help me live out loud in such a way as to bring you glory, make you glad and be a source of life and refreshing to all. Jesus, thank you for being the friend of sinners so you could be my friend and I could be yours. Lord, your kingdom and kingship come on earth, in me, like it is in heaven. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Steve
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