October 6, 2014
What does the saying, “In the essentials, unity, in the nonessentials, liberty, in all things, charity” mean to you as you consider the Body of Christ?
watching over the weak
1 Corinthians 8:9-13: But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? So because of your superior knowledge,…
September 19, 2011
In Romans 14:1-23 Paul discusses the issue of “disputable matters” in the church. What things should we judge in the church and what things should be considered to be within the confines of Christian liberty? Why?
mediator
As a mom, I frequently have the opportunity to serve in high-risk negotiations in the prevention of “hostile takeovers.” Nearly 3 years apart, my children are as different as night and day. Though things can change at any given moment, they often play very well together. But when they disagree, it usually takes a third party for them to see…
being civil
It seems our society has become increasingly divided and polarized,” writes Mark DeMoss, president of The DeMoss Group, and former (unpaid) adviser to US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. “Every week we are treated to scenes of bitter fighting, protests turning to violence and vandalism, name-calling, and personal attacks. Important debates are no longer fought ideas and words, but with shouting…
who needs relationship?
Emperor Frederick carried out an isolation experiment to try and determine humanity’s original language. He reasoned that infants would eventually speak the natural tongue of humans if they were sheltered from the sound of the human voice. The infants never heard a spoken word. Wet nurses, sworn to absolute silence, were employed. Within several months, the babies all died.
We’re…
weak or strong?
I've been thinking about Romans 14:1-4 lately. Why? This passage deals with "disputable matters"—things God doesn't explicitly condemn which are found within the spacious confines of Christian liberty. My "strong" faith has caused some "weaker"-faith friends (v.1) to experience fear and anger. So what should I do—press the issue? Flaunt my Christian liberty? Deny or dismiss my friends' views?
A…
