Conversing the Kingdom: Imitate me?

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

What seems like a short tag on line at the end of chapter 10 speaks volumes of Paul's relationship with Jesus.
"Be Imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
Could we say the same... Could we say to our friends "Ever wondered what Jesus was like on earth, just look at me!"
What a challenge... But is this not what it means for us as Christians to be on the path of sanctification?
Can we say about our life that "whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, I do it all to the glory of God." As Jesus did! If this is not the case let us stop and take a long hard look at our life and see where we need to repent and what we need to surrender and place it all at the feet of our Lord...

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Conversing the Kingdom: Helpful not Enslaving

1 Corinthians 6:12

Let us not fall into the same trap that the Corinthians did with their catch phrase "All things are lawful for me" or our modern day equivalent, courtesy of Nike, "Just do it." We must understand with Paul that not all things are helpful and that pushed too far anything can become enslaving. As Christians we should be doing all things for God's glory and be enslaved only to righteousness.
As Christians having a hobby is innocent enough until it takes over all our thought life and all our time pushing aside church fellowship, homegroup, quiet time, family and friends.
As a Christian having a relationship is innocent enough until it becomes an obsession or blinding us to our responsibilities and forcing compromise.
As a Christian having a drink is innocent enough until we "need it" or it comes out at every meal or after every hard day.
As a Christian drinking caffeine is innocent enough until we can't get through the morning or day without it.
As a Christian having money is innocent enough until the only person we spend it on is ourselves or our family... And so the list goes on.
Let us be wise to what is helpful and when it has the potential to become enslaving...

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Workers Together

1 Corinthians 3:8

As members of the body of Christ we are all called to build the Church. In a world of suffering and sin the Church is God's gift. What use will this gift be if it is weak and feeble, self concerned and dis-unified. Each of us has a toll to play as workers that the Church might shine out in witness to the Glory of Christ and serve a broken world and offering the only hope of worth, salvation through Jesus...

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Transformation not information

Romans 12:2

When we approach God's word we should do so not out of an attitude of receiving information but as a gift for transformation. As we are transformed by the renewing of our minds we gain discernment that we may weigh the value of our actions, decisions and judgements to find God's will for our lives and the lives of those around us. Let us hear from God through his word, commune with God in prayer, then go out and test, weighing up the situations around us that God's will is worked in our lives...

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The stumbling block

Romans 9:33

The stumbling block for Faith is this generation is not intellect or science but works. Our whole society is built on our works dictate out identity. Our actions dictate who we are. But the Christians faith is the complete reverse. Salvation is not attend but work but it is a free gift of mercy and grace. Our identity in Christ dictates our action. We do not atain our identity through works... Let us not get twisted up.

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Perfect Patience

Romans 2:4

God has perfect patience and kindness but there is a purpose behind them and that is for repentance. Let us not presume on God that he will wait for us whilst go on sinning through our adolescence, or midlife crisis or me time. For whilst doing so we store up wrath for ourselves on the day of Judgement. The day when we have to give a full account of all we have done...

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