Thursday the 2nd

1 Corinthians 10: ²³"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

 

You can do whatever you like. It is the very freedom that Christ died for. You choose, you decide, it is up to you to go right or left. At the base of Christianity you will find Christ, and you. Before we head off trying to kindle a spark for Christ in the souls of others, before we head out to change the world, we have a choice to make. Just because we can do it, does not mean we should. Just because it is available, does not make it constructive…..just because it works for you right now, and it feels good….well that does not mean that others are not hurt, and that the light of Christ will not be muted. It comes back to the two laws that Christ called the most important, loving God, and loving your neighbor. These two laws are what set true Christians apart from the Christian in name only, and it is what sets the Christian apart form the world. We hear the call form the world more loudly today than any other time that I can remember. Do it because you can, do it because it feels good, look out for number one. This is the polar opposite of what Christ taught, and it is what Paul is reminding us not to fall victim to. You are free to lie, cheat, or steal, but how would that be beneficial. What good thing can be built upon such deceit? You are free to skew the truth, cover up the facts, stab your friends in the back, and manipulate the story so you can get the promotion, keep the friend, or keep the peace, but what positive force will come from that? Nothing….nothing constructive, nothing beneficial, nothing that will glorify God.  The first choices are the hardest. They are the ones that will shape your day, your week, your year, and your life. Will you work for yourself, or for others? Will you take all of your time for yourself, or will you give it freely to your family, and your community? When the time comes will you stand and tell the truth, or will you cave to the world, and do what works for you? We live in a world that screams that we should put ourselves first; when in fact we should be third. God, others, then ourselves. You are free to put yourself first,  will you do it……just because you can?

 

God Bless,

Brian