Devotion - Monday, October 14

I hope you are enjoying your Fall Break!  If you do happen to turn on your email today, I wanted you to know that I am thinking of you, and praying for you.

This morning I was reading from I Corinthians 10:14-11:1.  There is a verse in here we all need to remember.  

Paul writes:  "'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up.  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor."

The issue for Paul and the Corinthians was food offered to idols.  Paul knew it didn't matter that the followers of Jesus took advantage of one of the most available sources of protein by eating such meat.  It would not affect them - because they knew the gods to which it was sacrificed were not gods.  BUT, Paul worried that others might see them eating and get the wrong idea.  So Paul tells them that how others might be affected is the greater concern.

The way we behave, the things we do, all should be done with an eye to how they will affect others.  As Jesus' disciples in the world, we are the Jesus that others will see.  Our first thought should always be "How will this affect my neighbor?"

We tease about Lutherans and our non-prohibition of alcohol.  Let us hope this never becomes a bragging point and thus a stumbling block for others.  We sometimes choose to use four-letter words for emphasis.  An ear needs to be trained to how use of such words will affect others.

What Jesus will allow - and what we ought to do - may fall into two categories.  Let us seek to do that which will help those around us - rather than simply doing what it is that would show off our freedoms.