November 8th

Blind Corners, Hidden Driveways, Falling Rocks

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9

We need to realize that the issues we are so passionate about are not as important as the people standing in front of us.

What is it for you? Is the topic abortion, smoking, drinking, or tattoos? Maybe your issue is the gay community and the sanctity of marriage. Perhaps the soap box you stand on is organic food, a vegetarian diet, or animal rights. Are these the things that people see when they come near you, or do they see Christ?

When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, he wrote to a church full of smart people. These people knew the issues of faith and society and could debate with the best, but none of that mattered to Paul. The only thing he cared about was whether or not they knew how to love.

Did they love one another or were their private issues more important? Of course they were free to have opinions on anything they wanted to, but their freedom wasn't the point. Paul wanted them to remember what their freedom was for. It was not so they could flaunt their beliefs and rub them in people's faces. No, their freedom was so that they could love without any hindrance.

The debates over issues in Corinth became divisions. When they looked at each other, they only saw their differences instead of the love for Jesus that should have bound them together.

Does this hit close to home for you? Issues divide us like never before, but it is not supposed to be this way. We, as the Church of God, must rise up as leaders in this time. We must become an image of unity that will make the world want to sign up and join.

How do we make this happen? We do it by getting over ourselves and putting love first. Instead of pushing our opinions, we begin to help those around us. We demonstrate the love of Christ in our words and actions. Then, after we have shown the people around us that they matter to God, perhaps they will care about what matters to us.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You for loving me before I knew You! Please help me to love others the way You have loved me-unconditionally-no matter whether or not they agree with me.

Amen