Over the last few months I have been chewing on
the difference between what I will call
'Spiritual discipline'
and
Sin
Example:
I choose to not drink alcohol:
- it could become a temptation to me
- in leading / training others it helps to not have that as a 'stumbling block' if this is a temptation in their lives
- it is not 'profitable'
My challenge is....
sometimes drinking alcohol is a sin
(drunkenness, excess, leading to abuses in other areas etc...)
and in my heart sometimes I shift the whole thing to being Sinful.....
and anyone who does it....
Sinful.... :(
Except....
Jesus did it..... :P
The same goes for a number of other things....
Some people follow Old Testament dietary laws
Some people choose Saturday to worship God (the Sabbath)
Some people fast
....Some people don't......
Sin?
or
Spiritual journey.... discipline....?
Paul talks about this....
Not about what is the 'right' or the 'wrong'
but how I need to choose to walk together with others
as fellow children of God
in agreement on Christ being the center of our salvation
and finding grace in the areas of
Spiritual 'disciplines'
as 'optional'.....
to do,
or not to do..... ref Rom 14:1- 15:13, 1Cor 8, 1Cor 10:23-33
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for challenging me
to choose to live life in a way that is
profitable.....
for me.....
I choose not be proud of myself...
or judgemental of my 'co-journeyers'
when they don't do it 'my way'
Lord I choose You to be
center
and
all other things
peripheral
Thank You for the Life
and
freedom You give me.
Thank You.
PJ