1 Corinthians 6:1 - Beware, be aware

 

I Corinthians 6:1

NKJV

 

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 

 

NLT

When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers!

 

There was a lot of drama, in the Christian world, during this time about going outside the Christian family to settle disputes. The Jews were used to dealing with their issues with other Jews; but the converted Christians, the gentiles, were used to taking their disputes to a public court.  A court that was not only easily corrupted with bribes and threats; but a court that was also swayed against Christians themselves. Paul was angry that Christians could not deal with each other in a manner that showed their love for each other and showed the world that they were different.

 

I don’t think we handle things much better than they did back then. We can be guilty of jumping to conclusions when we don’t know the whole story. We hear a piece of what someone says and fill in the blanks and all of a sudden, we’re offended. Even though we don’t know all that was said, we’ve made ourselves mad because of it. We’ve taken our offendedness to the court of our own opinion and rendered a verdict guilty.

 

Conversely, and this is something I’m guilty of, we can “not communicate” well enough to be understood.  It’s really easy to just charge forward; make your own decisions and not pay attention to when others might need to be involved. That’s kind of a “king of me” mentality. Guilty as charged on this one.

 

I think what is important in all of this is that we are aware.  Aware of our tendencies.  Aware of other people around us and our effect on them. It’s funny to me that the word beware (a warning) is similar to the word aware (a perception). Maybe we should be using both words when it comes to our relationship with others. Beware that our relationships are fragile and be aware that at times we are the cause of the damage. God first, above all else.

 

Gonna do better today,

cej

Proverbs 24:10 - Pressure Prepared

Proverbs 24:10

NKJV

If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

 

NLT

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.

 

A little clarity on the verse is in order, I think. Failing under pressure, or a day of adversity, does not make your strength small; it reveals your strength to be small. This strength that this verse is talking about is not physical strength. I believe it is talking about our faith. If our walk with our Lord is weak, so will our performance when under pressure.  Quite honestly, sometimes this pressure we put on ourselves comes from an event in life when you know you have to step up and be who God called you to be. Things like sickness, divorce, death, and life will put pressure on us.

 Whether it is put upon us by the world, or we put it upon ourselves. What are we going to do to be ready when the pressure comes? Charles Bridges wrote, ““Commit yourself daily to him, for his supply of grace is sufficient for you. So go forward, weak and strong at the same time—weak in order to be strong, strong in your weakness.” It means that we are to count it all joy when we meet trials of various kind (James 1:2); when our faith is tested it produces steadfastness (James 1:3); and that we will be made mature and complete…lacking in nothing (James 1:4). The apostle Peter also wrote to persecuted Hebrew Christians about the value of adversity. He said trials prove the genuineness of one's faith (1 Peter 1:3–9). Believers under pressure of adversity are encouraged to steel themselves and trust in Christ's power (Hebrews 12:12–13), rather than fall.

Not all pressure is a bad thing, remember James 1:2-4. I was reminded of this recently when I held 7 pounds 10 ounces of pressure. I remember what I felt as a new father; all the fears and anxiety that go along with being the protector and spiritual leader of my family. It’s a growth process, it gets easier as a father…because of the Father. It’s the same with those of us that aren’t experiencing new fatherhood. 

Walk faithfully today! This is how you build the strength needed for when the pressure comes.  Be prepared cause it’s coming. Pray, study and seek what God wants and not what you want.

 

Pressure prepared,

cej