Love Builds Up

1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "...Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.  The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know."

My friends Jessa and Erik adopted Nosipho from South Africa this year.  When they got her home, they realized the love they had for her, was not entirely mutual.  Nosipho was in a new place with a new family.  That's a lot to get used to.  Nosipho's affection for her parents wasn't developing as fast as they'd hoped for.  The first few days and weeks were a challenge.  As they were studying adoption books and attachment issues to overcome the challenges they faced with Nosipho, Erik suggested they put the books down and simply love her.  Forget the experts, and the strategies and simply love her.  It took time, but it worked.  Love works.  Love wins.  Love builds up.  Some days you need to put down the books, the to do lists and the calendar, and pick up the silly string and the squirt gun.  Love builds up!

Paul or Apollos are not Important

1 Corinthians 3: 7 "The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow."

The Corinthian Christians were arguing over the various leaders and preachers in their day.  Some boasted of Paul, others of Apollos.  Some things never change right!?  But Paul says this is all foolishness.  It is God who makes it all happen!  We shouldn't argue over men and we shouldn't swear our allegiance to a man, but to Christ alone.  God is the one who makes the seed grow.  He is the important one. 

Submit to Nero? Really?

Romans 13:1 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established."

If Rage Against the Machine read the Bible, they would hate this passage!  It's truly a  difficult yet timely topic for today.  To be honest, I've always struggled with this passage.  I can name dozens upon dozens of apparently "ungodly" authority figures throughout history and in present day. Are people really supposed to submit to the likes of Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, slave owners and other supposed "authorities?" Is that what God intends?  Did he intend for the first Christians in Rome to truly obey wackos like Nero and Domitian?  Are we to obey evil leaders?  And how do we discern the difference between the good ones and the bad ones?  And how does this passage fit into modern day politics?  And without opening a can, what does this passage mean for Ferguson today?  Could it help the tensions there? 

Don't Conform?

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Paul instructs us to not conform to the pattern of this world.  What exactly does this mean?  Am I conforming to this world if I own a car, ride a bike, listen to music, order a pizza, vote, wave a flag, or watch TV?  Where exactly is the line between living as a Christian in this world and just plain living in this world?  It's something every Christian must wrestle with.  But I don't think this looks the same for every Christian.  As it says in Hebrews, some peoples faith allows them to eat anything, for others, their faith restricts them.  I think wherever we draw the lines, we must do so thoughtfully and with confidence.  And we must be careful to not judge others unless it is blatantly sinful. This is a good topic and I could babble on for hours about it.  Another time... 

Free Gift

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death,  but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. "

Top ten verse easy! We had been earning wages and then boom, received an awesome free gift. That's why we worship.