Thought for Wednesday, January 18th

January 18, 2012

Be Prudent – But Not Foolish

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!  For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 9:13-27

Quote of the Day

“Be wisely worldly, but not worldly wise.”

-          Francis Quarles

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Most, if not all of us, have heard it said of someone in our spiritual lives; that they are ‘so heavenly minded – they are of no earthly good.’

Now on some level, this seems a bit paradoxical.  How can you be too heavenly minded?  Yet it is possible.   Look at the Scribes and Pharisees who ridiculed and chastised Jesus for hanging out with sinners.  Look at the woman caught in adultery who was brought to Jesus to be charged and punished: where was her partner and why did they all ‘drop their rocks and split; when Jesus charged them to cast their stones if they were not guilty of such a sin?

Paul says in the text above that we need to not be so holy minded and remove ourselves to such a high place of spiritual supremacy and superiority that we forget the very purpose for which we are to be laboring.  We need to also remember that before Christ – we were nothing more than sinners in need of saving grace.

Jesus spent most of His time with the people who many churches shun.  Shouldn’t we do like-wise?

Jesus didn’t come to heal the healthy – He came to minister to the sick and hurting and needy.  Shouldn’t we be doing this too?

We don’t have to become like the sinner or love the sin; but we must be willing to embrace the sinner; love the sinner and see them as a soul Jesus died for, just the same as He died for us.

Our objective should be to reach out and touch hearts and lives, not to push them away or avoid them all together.

We have been called to make disciples of all men – not just the ones we think are worthy.  For truth be told, no one is really worthy, only forgiven, loved and accepted by the Heavenly Father just the way they are when they bow at His feet and accept His gift of salvation. 

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are so loving, compassionate and forgiving and I am so honored and blessed to be called your child.  Thank you!  Help me to reach out to others and love them, regardless of their circumstance or situation, just as you have loved me regardless of mine.

“The better part of valor is discretion.”

-          William Shakespeare

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns