A New Leash On Life -- HE SAID
"Everything is permissible"but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.... So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble." - 1 Corinthians 10:23 & 31
Remember a few weeks back how I was telling you that my dog had the freedom to roam because I used an electronic leash? How I would warn her with an audible beep and she'd come running, and when she didn't I'd give her a little jolt? What I didn't tell you is that I also carry a lanyard-type leash with me when we walk because it's the law, and because not every dog owner understands the liberty Sandy enjoys.
Church folks are like that, too. We don't all understand or agree on the doctrinal issues. In fact, some days it seems as if the body of Christ can't agree on much of anything except that if it weren't for Easter and Christmas we'd never meet the financial goals of the church budget.
I blame it on God. He made us in His image, so I can only conclude that He's one schizophrenic dude with an vast assortment of idiosyncrasies.
There's the God of wrath, justice and just Jews, but there's also the the turn-the-other-cheek God of the Gentiles. There's the God who calls many, but chooses few. The saved by faith promise and work out your faith with fear and trembling, God. The God of law and the God of mercy.Which means it doesn't take much to cause a brother or sister to stumble. All that is required is that one of us push a hot button issue and the fight'n is on.
So the next time you're tempted to turn the body of Christ into a punching bag for your favorite doctrinal issue, remember this. Whatever you say or do, eat or drink, it all should be done for the glory of God. And if a weaker brother or sister doesn't share in your freedom, agree with your doctrinal stand or sing from the same page of your traditional hymnal, remember.Submit to the leash. Christ did, and aren't we glad of it.
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Humanitarian - hu•man•i•tar•i•an (noun). --SHE SAID
Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble. 1 Corinthians 10:23, 24, & 31
Something has been bothering me. Humanitarian. Odd, I know, but it’s been eating at me, so I looked up the word to see what I was missing. The meaning is simple: a person promoting human welfare and social reform. There was nothing there that said, “Humanitarians are silent givers with the aim of helping others and not bragging.”
Hollywood relishes in its wealth and when a need arises, its media children rush to donate millions, waving to the masses as they are praised for their efforts. Don’t misunderstand, these folks do wonderful things with the donations they offer, but when all is said and done—where is their heart?
In my Google search of humanitarian, I clicked on images. There I saw pictures of Angelina Jolene, Brad Pitt, Oprah, Bono, and Princess Diana-all individuals who have given countless dollars to aid the welfare and social reform of others. I kept clicking through the pictures, and nowhere did I see a picture of the elderly lady who gave her grocery money to a poor single parent so they could feed their kids. Nor did I see the picture of the man who wrapped his arms around the shoulders of a wailing soldier's wife, whose husband had given his life freely that others might have freedom.
Where are their pictures? Their gifts may not have been monetary, but they were given with the heart of a servant. Most gave quietly, and they expected nothing in return. Their gifts were for the good of others, and to glorify the Father.
I kept gleaning through the photos, never once seeing the face of Jesus. I suppose He wasn’t listed because He hadn’t donated a half-million dollars to help Oprah broadcast her worldwide class on inner peace (which by the way, says you can find the higher power any way that makes you happy. Forget “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me”).
The silent and selfless gifts of time and effort are worth so much. Jesus was beaten brutally, and He said nothing. Instead, He lay on the cross arms extended and palms open, giving His life. Not for the glory, but for the sin. Those of us who look to Him find what it means to be a humanitarian.
In Him, we find peace and forgiveness. In Him, we find eternity.
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