Fueling Pride & Arrogance

Now these things, bretheren, I have figuratively applied to myself and
Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what
is written, so that none of you will become arrogant in behalf of one
against the other.

1 Corinthians 4:6

We are all servants and need to do what we are called to do. What
would happen if I we hired to cut the grass at a person's home only to
break into their house to also cook dinner? Or what would happen if I
were hired to clean the bathrooms but walked into a classroom to
teach? It's out of place. Yes, you can make a case that you're just
striving for excellence and doing your best but that's not the case.
Doing your best is cleaning that bathroom perfectly and getting every
blade of grass just right. Through this passage we're being taught to
serve well according to our assignment because going beyond that leads
to arrogance, pride and discontentment with our fellow servants.

A recent example of this has to do with a Bible study group I started
attending. A brother is leading it along with his appointed leaders.
They are the ones teaching and facilitating and I'm the one to listen,
a sheep. But I overstep my service sometimes and I'm trying to
restrain myself from speaking out of order and taking te lead of
discussions. If I exceed what I'm called to do here and it will
definitely lead to arrogance, pride and dis-unity. I need to humble
myself and control my tongue in a different way.

Father God, thank You for blessing me with amazing gifts! And I need
to exercise the gift of discernment and selfcontrol here so that the
while group is growing and not just showing how much knowledge I
know... That will lead to death. I pray for those seeking Your face
and especially those far away. Love You Jesus! Amen!

Submission = Wisdom

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the
man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except
the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11

This passage is written within the context of wisdom. The Apostle
Paul writes how God's wisdom is a mystery; it's impossible to know
what God is thinking. Scriptures like Proverbs 3:5-6 remind us that
we cannot understand the ways of God... it's a mystery and meant to be
that. So this wisdom that Paul speaks of isn't what we think in our
society. The world teaches us that wisdom is knowledge or
understanding; how you apply them to life is wisdom. But that's man's
definition and not God's. God's wisdom is basically this, trusting
that He knows best. Having faith is wisdom. Not having faith is
foolishness.

Submission to God's ways is tough. Not that it's unfruitful, not at
all. It's tough because it involves so much discipline to sacrifice
the temporary satisfaction and pleasures for the eternal. It's like
blowing our finances away on a new car because it's cool and fast. We
trade in that future investment in the home or education we really
need. I don't do this often but I do it in my own way. The simple
temptation of poor diet and exercise is a perfect example. If I take
the time to plan out meals and exercise and stay true to it I'll
better invest in tomorrow. If I don't plan or execute I'll sacrifice
it. Yes it's tough but I'm practicing a biblical teaching.

Father God, thank You for blessing me with this glorious day. I pray
I honor You with my sacrifices and heart behind it. Love You Jesus!
Amen!

Freedom to Obey

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and
do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

The freedom spoken of can be mis-interpreted dangerously. This
freedom can mean personal and selfish reasons to those not in line
with God's truth. It may be wrongly interpreted as a free ticket to
do anything we want because we're forgiven and covered under God's
grace. Not so! This freedom that Paul speaks of has to do with
freedom from the mosaic law. These laws stemmed from the 10
Commandments but were put in place to reveal our sins, it was never to
provide salvation. It was there to keep the Israelites in order until
the Messiah came. It was never intended to go on forever. Some rules/
laws are eternal, like love God and love neighbors... these are laws
that fall under God's new covenant. These laws were meant to carry on
into eternity because they reveal the character of God Almighty.
Other laws were meant to keep the people in check and humble. Things
like what foods you shouldn't eat and how women should dress, these
are rules based off culture and specifically applied to that time. We
can take gems away from those laws like discipline, respect, loyalty,
reverance, spiritual maturity... but the rule itself isn't eternal.
Freedom that Paul stresses here is the clarity that Jesus saves, the
Law shows why He's needed.

This freedom that I'm blessed with cannot be taken advantage of. I
don't have to obey these old customary rules and commands but it
places a heavier emphasis on discernment. This won't come after
reading the Bible, it'll come in increments as I sit daily with Christ
Jesus. It'll come as I step out in faith and stumble... lots! But I
have that freedom to pursue God as the Holy Spirit leads, not follow
and guidebook.

Thank You Father God for blessing be so abundantly with Your wisdom
and grace. You continiually pour teachings into my heart aimed at
transformation. I pray the this happens right here, right now. Love
You Jesus, amen!!