“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything. 1Corinthians 6:12 ” …but not all things build up.” 1Corinthians 10:23 ESV The King James Bible uses the word “expedient” here instead of helpful. Or in other words, all things do not ease, encourage, urge, stir, or quicken. These synonyms for expedient , are the unspoken realities behind what must comprise our value systems. Otherwise words, quotations, commentaries, concepts or ideas are not to be placed at the ‘highest’ of a man’s soul. Friends, second Corinthians chapter 5, verse 14 uses this word, “constrain.” the word is used in relationship to love, in fact, the love of Christ. Friends, knowledge is said to puff up; however, Love builds up. 1Corinthians 8, verse 1. So, love, the very character and nature of God, is the essential…
Tag: <span>love of God</span>
At the cross I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled. away. It was there by Faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day. At a bloody cross, Jesus died for my sins. He bare our sins in his own body on a tree. He had become sin, who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. God had laid on him the iniquity of us all. Surely he has borne our sorrow, and by his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53, 1Peter 2:24, 2Corinthians 5:21. Let’s enumerate some benefits of the Cross. First, Matthew teaches Christ became a substitute for us — A vicar, as in the word vicarious — a deputy who acts in the place of another. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to…
In Isaiah 57:10, “Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way.” What way are these folks in? Jeremiah 9:5 gives a clue : “they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.” Therefore God says in, “Jeremiah 15:6, “I am weary with repenting.” and God’s prophet shouts, in Jeremiah 6:11 “I am weary with holding in: But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:9 Jeremiah explains the weary way in 2:24, “A wild ass used-to the wilderness, that snuffed up the wind at her pleasure;” The weary are those who chase after the wind, the wild donkey, the free-breathing of wind. In Hosea 12:1, “Ephraim feeds on wind, and follows after the east wind: he daily increases lies and desolation.” “For they have…
Indispensable Some people are indispensable members of Christ’s body. Some get superabundant honor. Others we decorate in bountifulness. The list goes this way: 1) The feeble 2) The less honored 3) The uncomely These are strength-less or weak. 4) Unbeautified, shapeless and not elegant. These groups often get kicked to the curb. Matthew 25:40 teaches, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” How? When and why were these acts of kindness done to the least, and accounted as having been done to Jesus Himself? Let us become one of these To discover this, let us become one of these weak, indeed we are already more like them than we admit. With their shoes on our feet, how does it go? a. They have a physical blemish or crooked walk. b. They have failed a lot at vital issues.…