1 Corinthians Study 7

Dear Student of the Word,

I am heading out the door to Zambia, but before I go, I want to post this latest study from Corinthians.  I hope you are enjoying these as much as I enjoy writing them!  This is a great tool to keep me in the Word every day, and I hope it is for you as well. 

This week we continue to follow Paul as he instructed his young Gentile believers in Corinth.  This week I wrote:

v. 11 -- I have often said that I can be driving and have a green light, yet strike a pedestrian who is crossing against the light.  In a sense, I am "correct" if I keep on driving for the light is green.  But if I see that person crossing, even though that person is in the wrong, I step on the brake and limit my progress to acknowledge that there is a higher principle involved.  I limit my freedom so as not to cause them harm.  I even have to apply this where doctrine is concerned, limiting at times my worship preferences at times so I can maintain my fellowship and friendship with someone who believes differently than I do.

For me the basic principle is not to assume that others believe like I do in every area.  I must be sensitive to watch and listen in order to discern cluse that will help me maintain peace with my brethren. 

v. 12  Paul wrote that when I don't do this, I sin against Jesus.  Ouch!  That is a serious charge.  When I am insensitive to my brother and wound the other person who is part of Jesus' body just like I am, then I have "missed the mark" where my relationship with Jesus is concerned.  I have sinned, even though I may not be involved in any activity that is wrong.  But someone else may think it's wrong and, if I proceed and offend them, then I have sinned against Christ.

Is there any area where you have been enjoying your freedom--food, drink speech or entertainment--that is causing someone else a problem?  Even though you aren't involved in any sinful activity, your insensitivity to that other person may in and of itself be sinful.

Remember that the Bible study archives of 13 other New Testament studies can be found on my website along with The Faith Files.  You can unsubscribe by clicking on the link below (if you receive this through Feedblitz).  You can give a gift subscription by going to the site where these studies are posted every week.  And please feel free to post your own comments, insights, and questions at the same site (just click on the word at the "comments" at the bottom of this post).

Here is this week's study:  Download 1_corinthians_study_7.doc

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[Gospel Usanga]

Thanking you for the weekly Bible Studies which has made a tremendous blessings in my life. Be impowered the more in Jesus Name... Amen.