Coffee With The Lord

“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)!  😉

What an awesome person Jesus was (and is)!!  I wish I had been alive when he was active in ministry!  But I can read about it in the Bible and marvel (and for that I am grateful).  I’m also grateful for the privilege of prayer – because of that we at least have a kind of “FaceTime” together daily.  One day though, I’ll have the opportunity to meet Him face to face and we’ll have a long conversation … I’m looking forward to it.

Back to the awesomeness of Jesus… I read this in the Bible this morning…

What Jesus did (imagine it…)

“Jesus went throughout all their cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.”

What Jesus saw and felt…

“When he saw the crowds He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Nothing has changed really, has it?  The “crowds” are still like that!  And Jesus?  He feels the same about the lostness and suffering of humanity!  

And the analysis of Jesus? 

He said, “The laborers are few; pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest! (And then in the very next verse … next chapter…) And He called to Him his disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to hear every disease and every affliction… These Jesus sent out…”  (Taken from Matthew 9:35 – 10:1 ESV)

What a Savior!  What a heart for people!!  I want to be like Him, don’t you?!  I want to heed Him, I want to obey Him!  I want to participate in His ongoing mission and ministry in our world today!