Obligation or Love?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 22:1-12 / NT - 1 Corinthians 13

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends..." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7–8

With more memories of loss and brokenness than can be counted, the tragedy of September 11, 2001 always brings to mind those known as "first responders". Many were lost in the midst of saving others and many more suffered from months of selfless exposure to contamination. Were these sacrifices made out of obligation or compassion? Such actions could only come from love for their neighbors. 

The gospel of Matthew records the following in 22:36-40... “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”. The two great commandments call us to a life far greater than obligation... we are called to love our neighbors. 

Our ministry is to act as "first responders", bringing the grace and mercy of God to broken and needy lives. The Lord has sent us out into the world to care for hungry and thirsty people with love. But we can never accomplish this calling as just an obligation. Are you filled with and compelled by the love of Jesus? The world needs those who are driven with selfless compassion to provide love for our neighbors. 

   
Think about this: "Not tongues nor faith nor prophecy nor knowledge nor martyrdom nor philanthropy, but love is the Christian's mark of distinction." ~ Vance Havner

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 22:13-31 / NT - 1 Corinthians 14

Every Part is Needed ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 21 / NT - 1 Corinthians 12

"The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"" -- 1 Corinthians 12:21

Since I have had two knee surgeries I have been very cautious in how I bend. On one occasion I was so cautious that I lifted the wrong way and injured my back. Each part of my body is important and needs proper care, because each part is needed.

Paul gave wise counsel to a church family that had suffered from divisiveness. There was no member that was any more important than the next. Paul wrote in verse 27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."  As each one is a part, each one is important. They are all needed.

As a member of the body of Christ you are important. You have spiritual gifts and purposes that have been given by the Spirit of God. While these are incredibly significant, always remember that the body is made up of many parts. We are all important and all needed.

Think about this: "Church-goers are like coals in a fire. When they cling together, they keep the flame aglow; when they separate, they die out." ~ Billy Graham

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 22:1-12 / NT - 1 Corinthians 13

Check it Out...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 20:33-49 / NT - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

"Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." -- 1 Corinthians 11:27-28

There are many physical maladies that need to be detected early. The best way to discover certain problems is to do a regular "self-examination". Along with such "self-exams" are those pesky annual physicals. Over the years I have received positive medical care due to these exams and always wondered why anyone would ignore such helpful procedures. I guess some people just figure "what you don't know won't hurt you".

Paul had a very different belief. He knew that unchecked sin leads to an unsafe life. The Lord's Table is to be approached with a prepared and cleansed heart. The bread and the cup are to be received in a worthy manner by an examined people. Careless and sinful living is not a lifestyle that will just be ignored over time. A "self-examination" is imperative because, "what we don't know can hurt us".

As we come to the communion table, we are reminded of our Lord's sacrifice to redeem us and set us apart as a people of God. Moments of examination bring us back to the basics of our relationship with the Lord. Take time to check out what may have broken your fellowship and pray with David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

Think about this: "An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning." ~ Thomas à Kempis

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 21 / NT - 1 Corinthians 12

Together...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 20:1-32 / NT - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

"Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. - 1 Corinthians 11:11-12

I well remember when we had to say farewell to my dear mother-in-law. Her home-going was not unexpected, but a sad time nonetheless.  As my wife was with me through my parents passage, I made every effort to be there for her. While our roles within the family may differ, we are never independent of each other in the challenges of life. We are always in this thing together.

Paul gave clear and distinct directions for marital roles of leadership and partnership. Over the years these instructions have either been ignored by some or misinterpreted and abused by others. Right in the middle of his instruction Paul gives the balance of dependence to protect from both extremes. And for every marriage to be blessed, the central truth is highlighted... "All things are from God".

My friend, the strength of our marriage should always be the ruling presence of the Lord and the supportive partnership of two. We should laugh together and weep together. We should grieve together and grow together. We are never independent of each other, and all that we are and have is always from God.

Think about this: "Love is not a state, it is a movement. Personal contact is not a state, but a fleeting movement that must be ceaselessly rediscovered. Marriage is not a state, but a movement—a boundless adventure." ~ Paul Tournier

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezekiel 20:33-49 / NT - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Glorify God ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 19 / NT - 1 Corinthians 10:14-33

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

When I turned sixteen my Pastor gave me a copy of "In His Steps" by Charles Sheldon. This book, which was first published in 1897, has since sold over 30,000,000 copies which places it as the ninth best selling book of all time. The full title is "In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?" While the lingering phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" has been quite popular, the more precise and Biblical question should be: "Does It Glorify God?"

Paul led believers to live a selfless life that considered others first. The greatest focal point was the honor and glory of the Lord in everything. He never handed out wrist bands or bumper stickers that raised a qualifying question for decisions. He just stated a simple word of counsel; "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God". Life becomes so much clearer and far more simplified when we bring every decision and action into line with this mandate.

Here it is my friend... Will that purchase glorify God? Does that conversation glorify God? Is that thought or action bringing Glory to God? Does your treatment of that person Glorify God? Is your conduct at work glorifying God? You may ask; What does God have to do with it? EVERYTHING. Remember... "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever" (Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Think about this: "The ultimate end of all things that come to pass, including the ultimate end of the great drama of redemption, is found in the glory of the eternal God." ~ J. Gresham Machen

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 20:1-32 / NT - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Lessons from the Past ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 18:14-32 / NT - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

"Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did." -- 1 Corinthians 10:6

It has been said that the only thing we learn from history is... that we don't learn anything from history. Could this be true? Is it possible that some people never learn from the past? While in high school drivers education class, I remember being shown pictures of auto collisions caused by careless drivers. That same year one of my classmates died from the same kind of careless driving. Some lessons from the past are never learned.

As Paul wrote to believers who were indwelt by the Holy Spirit, he was confident that they could learn from history. While the unbeliever is lost in their sin-bound condition, every believer has the freedom and power to learn from the past, avoid evil and live rightly. Examples are recorded in the pages of Scripture as lessons to keep us from careless living. Lessons from the past are given to be learned.

Do you regularly read the Scriptures from Old Testament through the New Testament? Have you considered the positive lessons to follow as well as the examples of evil to avoid? Don't be like my friend who ignored tragic examples of the past. "... if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (verse 12)

Think about this: "I have for many years made it a practice to read through the Bible once a year. My custom is to read four or five chapters every morning immediately after rising from my bed. It employs about an hour of my time, and seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. In what light soever we regard the Bible, whether with reference to revelation, to history, or to morality, it is an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue." ~ John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 19 / NT - 1 Corinthians 10:14-33

As Many as Possible ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 18:1-13 / NT - 1 Corinthians 9

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." -- 1 Corinthians 9:19, 22

They call us at dinner on a daily basis. They send us brochures in duplicates. They come knocking at our doors on a regular basis. Who are these nefarious schemers that seek our attention with such determination? They are sales people! They strive to win us over to buy their product or service and they won't take no for an answer. They will do whatever is necessary to win as many as possible.

While you will readily relate to the above experiences, do you believe that there might be a greater reason for which to win people? Don't you think that a heavenly home is more valuable than new siding for your earthly one? Sales people are seeking the big paycheck, but Paul was seeking the big blessing of souls saved. He was willing to do whatever was necessary to win as many as possible.

Are you afraid of offending people with your witness for Christ? Paul said earlier in chapter one, verse eighteen, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." A soul is worth far more than a paycheck, so never give up. Do whatever is necessary to win as many as possible!

Think about this: "I would rather win souls than be the greatest king or emperor on earth; I would rather win souls than be the greatest general that ever commanded an army... My one ambition in life is to win as many as possible. Oh, it is the only thing worth doing, to save souls; and, men and women, we can all do it." ~ R. A. Torrey

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Ezekiel 18:14-32 / NT - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13