“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God.” (ESV – read the chapter)
This is another of those hard verses in the Old Testament that we struggle to understand. Why would God strike Uzzah down like this? What exactly did he do that was so wrong it justified an immediate death sentence? It sure seems like all he did was touch the ark. Why was that such a big deal?
“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (ESV)
The goal here is not to become doormats, but to practice love for one another. We are not looking to justify every irritating whim and warped conviction of those around us. Speaking more directly to the call of our culture, this is definitely not talking about tolerating a habit or practice that is clearly sinful on the part of a fellow follower of Christ. Read the rest…
“But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (ESV)
Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin? Really??? This seems like an awfully broad statement. “Everything” is a pretty all-encompassing word. Read the rest…
“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.” (ESV)
Paul plays a mean trick on us here. He starts listing off sins that those evil people (whoever they happen to be) commit under the cover of darkness. And right from the start we’re tempted to cheer along with him. Down with those evil people engaging in orgies! Down with those drunks who are wrecking their lives and the lives of their families! Down with those sexually immoral perverts! Read the rest…
The Nexus 