Archives - August 2007, Part 3, from www.timewithgod.blog-city.com

timewithgod.blog-city.com — August 2007

Romans 13 -- A Key Tip for Shopping and Entertainment

don't buy what tempts you to sin

My commentary says that Saint Augustine was converted to Christ from a life of carnal living when he read verse 14:  "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh."  The New Century Version translates that last part as, "Forget about satisfying your sinful self."

I think there are few Christians who would disagree with that first part, "that we should adopt His whole lifestyle, live as He lived, accept Him as our Guide and Counselor."

But that second part is where we often want to hedge.  My commentary says, "The flesh here is the old, corrupt nature.  It incessantly cries to be pampered with comfort, luxury, illicit sexual indulgences, empty amusements, worldly pleasures, materialism...."

"We make provision for the flesh when we BUY THINGS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH TEMPTATION, when we MAKE IT EASY FOR OURSELVES TO SIN, when we GIVE A HIGHER PRIORITY TO THE PHYSICAL THAN THE SPIRITUAL.  We should not indulge the flesh even a LITTLE...  We should give no chances to the flesh to have its fling."

Maybe it would be a great idea to laminate that verse and/or those thoughts and put them with our checkbooks and in our wallets next to our cash, credit cards, and debit cards.  Then when we get ready to check out at a store, we'll be reminded to review our basket and see if anything we are buying is associated with temptations that we personally face.  We could also think about it as we pay admission to anything where we may be making it easy for us to sin.  For Jesus said, "Flee from temptation."  He didn't say, "Get right in the middle of it and see if you can endure it."

Father, help me to have better discernment about where I go and what I buy.  Give me strength to put back anything that might lead me to temptation if I were to buy it and help me not to want anything that indulges my old self even a LITTLE.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Published: Thursday, 30 August 2007

Romans 14 -- Mutual Forbearance

sorely needed

God seemed to zero me in on 2 words this morning -- mutual forbearance.  In the context of the chapter, there's been a melding of two lifestyles in the church -- the Jewish believers who still hold strong beliefs about certain things, and the Gentile Christians who are feeling somewhat put down by the other group for inconsequential beliefs that they hold.

Over and over Paul makes the point that "it just doesn't matter" and that each side must realize that the other is legitimate in its beliefs.

In mutual forbearance, Paul is not asking one side only to cave in to the beliefs of the other to maintain harmony.  All sides are called to do that!  And as it happened, the Jewish converts (the stricter of the two) were the ones considered weak in their faith.  Their ritualism was overriding relationships.

Paul doesn't tell just the "Gentile crowd" to ease up and give the "Jewish bunch" what they want.  Instead, he also chastises the Jewish group for letting ritualism get in the way of unity.

And unity is the chief aim here.  Paul shows that unity is never achieved by telling one group only to cave in every time to the other group.

My commentary made what I feel is a vital comment about verse 13:  "We should resolve that we will never do anything to hinder a brother in his spiritual progress."

Last Sunday our church had perhaps the finest worship experience in a regular service that we've ever encountered.  God's presence was evident, and as we asked God for healing and understanding following the flood, and prayer for the victims and volunteers, the service went on almost two hours.  I continue to hear marvelous comments about it from others.  I believe one reason that is so is because, for that Sunday, we did not hinder anyone in his or her spiritual progress.

Father God, I pray that every Sunday could be like the last!  You were worshipped, and not out of duty, but out of unabashed love for Who You are and for Your sovereignty.  Please inhabit the praises of Your people like that every week.  Grow us in You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Published: Friday, 31 August 2007