Coffee With The Lord

Radical Discipleship: Living as if no one and nothing mattered MORE than loving, serving, and following Jesus!

The challenge of Jesus: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.“ (Matthew 10:37–39 ESV)

I know it’s radical… But I’ve chosen to live that way!

“Freedom flaunters” … I know you’ve seen ‘em if you’ve been a Christian a while. They lock onto the passages in the Bible that speak of “freedom in Christ” and “living under grace and not law” and push the envelope of what they see as their “Christian rights.” They have scruples about nearly nothing and they flaunt it. Their attitude is “Hey, I’m gonna do what I please! I’m free in Christ! If what I’m doing bothers you… deal with with! I’m living under “grace” – not law!” They could care less what a brand new Christian with a sensitive conscience feels. In fact, they’re just apt to make catty remarks and poke fun at them. “Freedom flaunters” – an inconsiderate, insensitive, lot…

Apostle Paul dealt with this issue it in his epistles on several occasions… I read one of them this morning. In this case the issue was scruples about food and drink but it could be any of several others… Here’s what Paul said in the Bible…

“Do not for the sake of … destroy the work of God! It is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he (or she)… It is good not to … do anything that causes your brother (or sister) to stumble… If your brother (or sister) is grieved by what you… you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy by what you… one for whom Christ died! (From Romans 14.13-23 ESV)

How can I say this? … IT’S NOT ABOUT US! “For Christ did not please himself!” (Verse 3 of the very next chapter!) Oh Lord, help me to be sensitive to others! May I never be a “Freedom flaunter!”

One of the neat things about my daily time of “Coffee with the Lord” (and the “Necessary Food” daily Bible reading plan) is that it provides an opportunity for the Lord to speak to me about things that concern Him through His word – often about things in my life that He’d like to see changed.

A few days ago I’d had a conversation with a fellow Christian that left me a little frustrated.  He’d taken a position on an issue that I disagreed with – a position that I had some emotional energy invested in.  It wasn’t an issue that had to do with a person’s salvation but it was one that I felt was important.  We disagreed … we disagreed emotionally!  I went away from our conversation still mumbling to myself… tempted to “sound off” to someone else (don’t remember if I did or not… hope not now!)  Felt a barrier developing between him and me…

Sound familiar to anyone else?  Oh it’s happened to you too?

Well today during “coffee with the Lord” God spoke to me… on two fronts – from His word (which is the most important) – and from an old guy in Church history…

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother?  Why do you despise your brother?  For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God… Each of us will give an account of himself to God!” (Romans 14.10-12 ESV)

And the advice from the old guy in Church history…  “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”  (Augustine)

Ok God… I’m listening.  When it isn’t a life or death issue – when it isn’t a core truth or something essential for salvation – when it’s just a difference of opinion or preference… we need to give each other a little space and leave it to the Lord to settle!  Got it (I hope)!  😉