March 5th

One word of caution about our freedom. I think you already know to be an honest example of hope instead of flaunting your freedom, but we need to also be careful not to use our freedom in a way that will ruin our witness or put a stumbling block in other’s paths. For instance, you would not want to go drink at a bar with a coworker who struggles with alcohol. You also would not express condemnation to another coworker who has no issues with alcohol but has an occasional beer.

Just keep the issue, the issue.

The issue is not, nor has it ever been the alcohol, -in either case. The issue is needing Jesus. The same goes for anything else, keep the real issue in the forefront of your mind and mission. You are not sent into the world to stop people from drinking. You are not sent into the world to correct people’s thinking or stop them from sinning. You are sent into the world to show people Jesus and make disciples. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to correct and transform people. Tell me, do YOU respond better to a person telling you that you are wrong and need to change your thinking, or to the Holy Spirit telling you?

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

We need to keep in our minds the whole point of being here on this mission. Let our mission temper the way we think, talk, type, and treat people. When we are on social media, are our comments full of hope and life or are they demeaning and corrective? Is it more important that people know that you are right or that you are the light?! Would you rather influence people or have your opinion heard?! You will influence more people by your reflection of Jesus than you will ever impact with your self proclaimed words of “wisdom.” Condemnation NEVER draws anyone to Jesus. In fact, the Word says that it is God’s kindness that draws us to repentance.

Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

If anyone has a right to condemn us it is Jesus, but He chooses kindness, grace, and mercy to draw us to Him. As we know from reading Revelation, those who refuse to repent WILL face the wrath and judgement of God, but we want to draw as many to repentance as we can before then!

Romans 2:5-6 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”

We don’t need to worry about anyone getting what they deserve if they don’t repent, it WILL come! It is possible to walk in freedom, interact with others genuinely and spread the message of hope without compromising our integrity or being hypocritical. So how do we adjust our thinking so that we walk in freedom and impact people wherever we go instead of handing out judgement?

First, we need to be honest with ourselves. We need to honestly assess ourselves daily and humbly repent for any pride or other sin and if we can’t think of anything to repent for then we REALLY need to repent of that! We need to honestly remember that we have been rescued and but for the grace of God we would still be lost.

Second, we need to protect ourselves, that is guard our hearts and be careful with our boundaries. As we live in this world and interact with others, we will need to be sure not to allow ourselves to be caught up in the sin. Always remember you are on a mission and if anything will compromise our influence of others then we don’t do it.

Third, be intentional in our mission, keep the issue, the issue. We are not here to correct or condemn we are here to rescue. This should adjust any thinking that may be off track. IF any issue arises and you really aren’t sure about it even after praying, you can always consult with your pastor or mentor.

Ephesians 4:1-2 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Jesus, thank you for setting me free. Help me to keep the issue, the issue. Help me not to be surprised at the sin in others but also help me not to condemn. Help me to instead remember the mission of being the light and proclaiming a message of hope and rescue. Show me who I am supposed to minister to today and help me to be brave enough to do that.

They were all Ordinary Men. -God has a plan for each of us to be a part of his plan! Today’s verse to remind us that He has called us (the ordinary) to do the extraordinary:

1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.