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1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 (NRSV)
Do all to God's glory
My favorite line from today’s Bible passage is, “Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.” This is so entirely countercultural that it excites me! See, in contemporary society, most of us are taught to look out for Number 1. We are taught that we should do all for our own benefit or the benefit of our family and friends. We seek to make our name great—to become rich and famous! We carefully do everything we can to advance our agendas, goals, and dreams sometimes even at the expense of others.
But the GOOD NEWS is that Christians are taught to do exactly the opposite by Paul! Paul says in effect, “Do what will benefit, help, and build up somebody else.” He seems particularly concerned about being cognizant of the needs of non-Christians in this regard.
We know that we are free in Christ Jesus to do anything that does not eschew the Law of Love. But, Paul says, “just because something is lawful, doesn’t mean that it is beneficial.” What is the benefit that Christians should be concerned about? It is simple. We seek to share GOOD NEWS-- and be GOOD NEWS--in the lives of people who need it.
For example, many of the people that I have tried to win to Christ are alcoholics. It is lawful for me to drink alcohol in moderation. There is nothing in my understanding of Scripture, nor in denominational doctrine that would prohibit it. But, I choose not to drink alcohol around these friends. Why? It would be a stumbling block for them. They may think, “Alcohol is bad. If she loves Jesus, why is she drinking?” Or they may erroneously think, “She’s a strong Christian, if she can do it so can I.” Or they may just think, “I can’t hang around with her, she’ll cause me to mess up my program.” In my church, we even go so far as to provide grape juice during the Lord’s Supper for these friends! We understand that grape juice is “fruit of the vine” and so permissible and we also understand that our new friends cannot imbibe the wine because it may cause them to be led astray in their desires.
This is just one example of how we can accommodate new friends for the sake of the Gospel, but I know there are many more. The bottom line is this, we must do all that we can to share the GOOD NEWS with those who have not heard, have forgotten, or have rejected the God who loves them. Sometimes this means taking into consideration the feelings and conscious of the new friends we seek to share GOOD NEWS with.
God loved all of us so much that Jesus was willing to die on the cross to forgive our sins and to make us friends with God. God radically accommodated us by taking on a body of flesh, becoming human, and dying a dreadful death on the cross! Isn’t that Amazing Grace? In response to this great love, we share some of that same grace with others by forfeiting our advantage in order to bring glory to God, for the sake of the cross.
This type of mentality requires discipline and humility. We will often want to do what we want to do. But, the GOOD NEWS constrains us! It calls to us with arms of love wide open to find a way—any loving and moral way—to lead people into a loving relationship with Christ!
Is there some behavior you need to change today in order to share GOOD NEWS with somebody who shares your life?
Holy God, help us to do all that we can to share the GOOD NEWS with others. If there are behaviors that we need to change in order to make the Gospel attractive and palatable to others, help us to do it gladly and with great joy! We want everyone to know and experience your love, just as we have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
Showing posts with label free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Why'd ya kick down my door!?
Acts 14:1-7 (NRSV)
Resistance to the message of the apostles
Well, Paul and Barnabus learned an important lesson in today’s scripture…GOOD NEWS is meant to be freely received! As long as there were folks in Iconium who were willing to hear the GOOD NEWS, scripture teaches us that Paul and Barnabus “spoke boldly for the Lord.” It was during that season of the open door that “a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers.”
Doesn’t it feel great when we share the GOOD NEWS with others and they joyfully receive it? You can really tell when God has prepared the heart of a person to receive GOOD NEWS. It seems that s/he is really open, receptive, and excited to learn what you have to share. She might have a million questions or he might just pop up in unexpected places, all in an effort to get around you and to get a little bit of what you’ve got.
It is one of my greatest honors that many non-Christians say that I am one of the most joyful people they have ever met. Lots of “unbelievers” just love to be in my presence, to ask me questions, to seek out God’s wisdom for their lives. If asked, they wouldn’t be able to tell you what attracts them to me; but I can! It’s the Holy Spirit of God working in me and through me to touch their heart with God’s Never-Give-Up Love and Amazing-Kind-of-Grace!
Now, as long as people want to hear the word and are receptive to it, I’ll share with wild abandon. But, I have learned, like Paul and Barnabus, that when the season of the open door is over, it is time to move on! Paul and Barnabus realized it was time to go when they were threatened with death and run out of the city! But, the invitation to move on to other more fertile fields is not always this blunt.
Sometimes resistance is more subtle; but, when you notice that a person or a people group is not ready to hear the GOOD NEWS, don’t despair! Your call to go to the “next city” does not necessarily mean that God has given up on them. It just means that your season of service is complete for the time being. Remember, scripture teaches us that sometimes one plants seed and another waters it, but it is God, and God alone, who gives the harvest!
Don’t attempt to kick down the door when someone is not ready. Wait for the season of the open door when God’s Holy Spirit is at work in the person, people, or city preparing them to believe GOOD NEWS! But while you wait, don’t sit on your hands! Remember, there are always other people, in other locations, who need—and want—to hear GOOD NEWS!
Every day I am stunned to tears that God allows us to partner with God to love the whole world! We are God’s open arms outstretched, running feet spreading glad tiding to all people, and gentle words of love and encouragement spoken at the time of greatest need.
Who have you noticed might be open to hearing GOOD NEWS today?
Loving God, you are better to us than we are to ourselves. Please forgive us for trying to kick the door down, when you have shown us by your example that you expect us to stand at the door and knock. Help us to be sensitive to the season of the open door and to share as you lead us. We really want to share GOOD NEWS with those who will receive it. You are the preparer of hearts; help us to wait on you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
*Check out the map to the right! Do you know anyone in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, South America, Australia, Africa, Western Europe, or Asia that you can share GOOD NEWS with today?
Resistance to the message of the apostles
Well, Paul and Barnabus learned an important lesson in today’s scripture…GOOD NEWS is meant to be freely received! As long as there were folks in Iconium who were willing to hear the GOOD NEWS, scripture teaches us that Paul and Barnabus “spoke boldly for the Lord.” It was during that season of the open door that “a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers.”
Doesn’t it feel great when we share the GOOD NEWS with others and they joyfully receive it? You can really tell when God has prepared the heart of a person to receive GOOD NEWS. It seems that s/he is really open, receptive, and excited to learn what you have to share. She might have a million questions or he might just pop up in unexpected places, all in an effort to get around you and to get a little bit of what you’ve got.
It is one of my greatest honors that many non-Christians say that I am one of the most joyful people they have ever met. Lots of “unbelievers” just love to be in my presence, to ask me questions, to seek out God’s wisdom for their lives. If asked, they wouldn’t be able to tell you what attracts them to me; but I can! It’s the Holy Spirit of God working in me and through me to touch their heart with God’s Never-Give-Up Love and Amazing-Kind-of-Grace!
Now, as long as people want to hear the word and are receptive to it, I’ll share with wild abandon. But, I have learned, like Paul and Barnabus, that when the season of the open door is over, it is time to move on! Paul and Barnabus realized it was time to go when they were threatened with death and run out of the city! But, the invitation to move on to other more fertile fields is not always this blunt.
Sometimes resistance is more subtle; but, when you notice that a person or a people group is not ready to hear the GOOD NEWS, don’t despair! Your call to go to the “next city” does not necessarily mean that God has given up on them. It just means that your season of service is complete for the time being. Remember, scripture teaches us that sometimes one plants seed and another waters it, but it is God, and God alone, who gives the harvest!
Don’t attempt to kick down the door when someone is not ready. Wait for the season of the open door when God’s Holy Spirit is at work in the person, people, or city preparing them to believe GOOD NEWS! But while you wait, don’t sit on your hands! Remember, there are always other people, in other locations, who need—and want—to hear GOOD NEWS!
Every day I am stunned to tears that God allows us to partner with God to love the whole world! We are God’s open arms outstretched, running feet spreading glad tiding to all people, and gentle words of love and encouragement spoken at the time of greatest need.
Who have you noticed might be open to hearing GOOD NEWS today?
Loving God, you are better to us than we are to ourselves. Please forgive us for trying to kick the door down, when you have shown us by your example that you expect us to stand at the door and knock. Help us to be sensitive to the season of the open door and to share as you lead us. We really want to share GOOD NEWS with those who will receive it. You are the preparer of hearts; help us to wait on you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
*Check out the map to the right! Do you know anyone in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, South America, Australia, Africa, Western Europe, or Asia that you can share GOOD NEWS with today?
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