The tension between Law and Grace creates the most cerebral issues in Christianity. This is faith for grownups—it’s not the “milk of the word” for baby Christians (1 Peter 2:2). The law says “thou shalt not,” and grace says, “All things are lawful.” So which is it? Romans 14:20 says “Everything is clean.” First CorinthiansContinue reading “WORD FOR ADULTS. Romans 14:20-21; 1 Cor. 6:12.”
Category Archives: My freedom should not cause my brother to stumble
Editing on Horseback. Romans 15:1.
Did you know that the sixty-six books of the Bible were codified into a single book long before the chapter and verse divisions were added? Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury (and a key writer of the Magna Carta), first introduced chapters in the year 1228. The first Bible to be published with both chaptersContinue reading “Editing on Horseback. Romans 15:1.”
Prohibition and Meat Sacrificed to Idols. 1 Corinthians 8:7-13.
Pictured–the “21st Amendment,” a bar in New Orleans’ French Quarter celebrating a unique bit of legislation. I did not go inside. Have you ever eaten meat from an animal that was sacrificed to an idol? Probably not. Have you ever been seen “dining in an idol’s temple” (1 Corinthians 8:10)? Doubtful. In fact, the entireContinue reading “Prohibition and Meat Sacrificed to Idols. 1 Corinthians 8:7-13.”
Your Witness is More Important than Your Freedom Because Your Witness is Your Purpose. Acts 1:8.
Life in a fallen world is tough. God could spare us a lot of pain if He were to snatch us up to heaven the minute we give our souls to Jesus. But He allows us to remain in a difficult world so we can tell others about Him. We are here to provide aContinue reading “Your Witness is More Important than Your Freedom Because Your Witness is Your Purpose. Acts 1:8.”
LEGENDARY ASSEMBLIES OF MEN. Acts 15.
The U.S. Founding Fathers hold the Continental Congress, drafting a Declaration that will plunge them deep into war. Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin meet in Yalta and decide to charge Nazi leaders with war crimes. The Roman Senate declares Julius Caesar an Enemy of the State. The Algonquin Round Table meets daily for lunch at NewContinue reading “LEGENDARY ASSEMBLIES OF MEN. Acts 15.”
YOUR FREEDOM IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR WITNESS. Acts 15:28-29; Romans 14:20-21.
The church faced a struggle when it witnessed to the Jewish people. The Jews had over 600 laws from the Old Testament. And when Jews saw followers of Jesus breaking critical rules, such as eating meat from an animal that had been sacrificed to an idol, they stumbled, rejecting Christ. So the Church called anContinue reading “YOUR FREEDOM IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR WITNESS. Acts 15:28-29; Romans 14:20-21.”
Grace Gives You Freedom from the Law. Use Your Freedom to Serve Others. Acts 15:29.
Imagine: You are a missionary to the people of Jerusalem in the year 55 A.D. You have invited a crowd of two dozen local Jews to listen to you share about Jesus on the beach one morning. As they walk up, they can smell something cooking. You’ve got a nice fire going, with bacon andContinue reading “Grace Gives You Freedom from the Law. Use Your Freedom to Serve Others. Acts 15:29.”
Household Words: 