Month: August 2017

Digging in Deeper: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

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“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

If we are going to be in a relationship with God, it is going to be on His terms, not ours.  In spite of our sinful nature, we naturally recognize that there is something wrong with the world; something wrong with us.  This is the result of our being created in God’s image along with the echoes of eternity still ringing in our hearts.   Read the rest…

Morning Musings: 1 Chronicles 17:4

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“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in.'”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Sometimes the thing we most want to do for God He doesn’t have planned for us to do.   This is never an easy place to be.  We have a vision for something that we are convinced will be honoring of God and we are even committed to it for His sake, not the advancement of our own ego.  But every time we start to move toward making it a reality, something happens that sets us off course.  It’s almost like God’s the one derailing our efforts. Read the rest…

Morning Musings: 1 Corinthians 1:12-13

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“What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’  Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Unity is a hard thing to establish in the church.  The reason is fairly simple: Sin causes divisions.  One of the fundamental consequences of sin is that it divides us from one another.  This was the case right from the start.  When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, the first thing they did was to hide from one another.  Division.   Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Romans 16:17-18

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“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”  (ESV – read the chapter)

When it comes to non-Christians, the church is to be open to all people.  We should receive with grace and gladness anyone who is interested in becoming a follower of Jesus regardless of their background or what they’ve done.

In the church and among people who claim to be followers of Jesus the story changes somewhat.  Oftentimes today, people who are most concerned with protecting the purity and unity of the church work to keep out the world.  In the New Testament, the exact opposite approach is taken.  The biggest threats to the purity and unity of the church are never from without, but rather within.

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