Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s work on losing our unedifying religiosity!

Today’s scripture, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT
[19] Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. [20] When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. [22] When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. [23] I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Consider…
Many of us try to live according to God’s mandate to be holy like Him (1 Peter 1:14-16)

While that is a God honoring aim, it includes a need to understand and mirror the selfless humility of Christ, which manifested itself in His sacrifice for everyone!

Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) exhorts…
[5] You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. [6] Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. [7] Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, [8] he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Notice an innocent man willingly died a criminal’s death to set the true criminals (us) free.

God also wants us to willingly sacrifice our rights and priveleges for the benefit of others.

It seems like God is more interested in our sacrificing ourselves than our crucifying others.

I read more scriptures that tell us to encourage, inspire and lead others to Christ than ones that say convict others for Him. In fact, I don’t know one scripture that says sentence people to hell for God. Yet, I hear many preachers, teachers and fellow saved sinners doing just that. You know the type, the person who God just delivered from gluttony, telling everyone else to go on a diet.

Sometimes we spend soo much time obsessing and condemning sin in others that we neglect extending God’s reconciling love and grace to them like Christ.

We would have a much better influence if we were less superior and more inferior. Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT) admonishes…
[3] Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

I wonder if we truly appreciate what those verses are saying to us. We’re to esteem others more than trying to boost our self-esteem. What I mean is we’re all saved by grace and nothing that we do makes us better or worse in God’s eyes.

In my mind, I see my biblical scholars just about to exit this post, but before you do I encourage you to consider what the Apostle Paul exhorted in Romans 14:10-13 (NLT), when he wrote…
[10] So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. [11] For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” [12] Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. [13] So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

The Holy Spirit is helping me understand that our condemnation can be a stumbling block to others. Judging and condemning isn’t inspiring, quite honestly for the condemned or judged it’s just tiring. Yet for both the person judging and the person feeling judged I remind you that Romans 8:33-34 (NLT) challenges…
[33] Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. [34] Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Let me remind you that Romans 3:22-24 (NLT) declares…
[22] We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. [24] Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Guess what, you and I are incapable of knowing who has placed their faith in God and believes. Just because we see a known adulteress at the well, or a thief on the cross, or a Pharisee lurking in the shadows at night, or a prostitute at Jesus’ feet, we don’t know what they believe in their heart and confess with their mouth. Remember Romans 10:10 (NLT) explains…
[10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Notice there’s nothing about external behavior that convinces others.

I think there is an underappreciation of the reckless love of God! As Cory Asbury sings…

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

If God will leave the ninety-nine for the one, why are we so quick to shun?

Today’s message closes out last week’s theme of losing unwanted things. God wants us to shed our exposing judgements and replace them with covering love. As 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT) says…
[8] Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

If you want to know how God wants you to deal with others, that don’t act like or speak like you, heed Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT) mandate…
[12] Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. [14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Get properly dressed before dealing with others. We need to put on Christ’s characteristics in all of our interactions, because when we lift Him up He will draw others to Himself.

If you’re ever in doubt of what to say or do for God, listen to today’s song and be inspired to just love like Jesus.

Today’s Song is…
Love Like Jesus

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)