Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: FLEXIBLE (07/09/20)
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TITLE: Bending Without Breaking | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
07/15/20 -
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Two passages of Scripture come to mind as I pondered the connection between flexibility and being a loyal, non-compromising, follower of Christ.
“To the week I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I might may by all means save some (1Cor. 9: 22 NASB).”
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Romans 12: 18 NASB).”
No one appreciates being spoken down to when communicating with other human beings.
Most communication is non-verbal, which includes the “holier than thou” image that turns people off and is hated (Proverbs 6: 17) by God.
In 1Cor. 9: 22, Paul was speaking of establishing common ground with those he desires to evangelize (share the Gospel Message), so that by doing so they might be more open to listen and be saved.
Declaring himself to have been the worst sinner of all (1Tim. 1: 15), and /or by candidly speaking of his own ongoing spiritual struggles (Romans 7: 15), he was able to keep the door of opportunity open.
The same down-to-Earth approach can be used when sharing principles of Bible doctrine with fellow believers.
In order to do the job for which they were created, boats must float and planes must fly. Docked boats and grounded airplanes might be impressive to look at, but produce little service.
The same could be said for Church-goers sitting in pews week after week, year after year, but produce only little, if any, 1Cor. 3: 12 silver, gold, and precious stones.
The 1Cor. 3 :12 wood, hay, straw represents the production of human good. The production of human God has its own rewards here on Earth, but are “burned up – 1Cor. 3: 15” (discarded) as far as qualifying for eternal reward.
It is the silver, gold, and precious stones representing divine good that receives eternal rewards.
If born again believers are to fulfill their purpose and do the job (Matt. 28: 19, 20) that they have been given (Matt. 28:19, 20), they too, must cast off from the dock and take off down the runway, producing divine good while here in the devil’s (Luke 4: 6) world.
Both unbelievers and believer’s can produce the wood, hay, and straw of human good, but only God (John 15: 5) can produce the silver, gold, and precious stones of divine good THROUGH Spirit-filled, collaborating believers.
Here in the Church Age, the primary type of divine good that God is looking for is saved/edified souls.
No matter where a born again believer finds himself, or in what activities a born again believer finds himself, be it at home, school, work, or play, his/her top priority is to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ and serve as His ambassador (Matt. 28: 19, 20/2Cor. 5: 20).
A disciple is a born again believer who continues to grow in the knowledge (2Pet. 3: 18) and in the application (James 1: 22) of the Word of God. An ambassador represents and speaks for the Kingdom of God while here in the devil’s (Luke 4: 6) world.
The production of divine good is what gives spiritual significance to our presence here on Earth.
Discipleship requires a degree of rigidity, as there are some issues that are NOT open for debate. At the same time, an ambassador must be approachable and have the diplomatic skills to hold the line while keeping the lines of communication open. This requires a degree of flexibility.
The phrase “if possible, so far as it depends on you” of Romans 12: 18 NASB teaches that the advancing disciple must draw the line when it comes to how far he/she should go as he/she “becomes all things to all men (1Cor. 9: 22).”
The line is drawn when the activity is one that Scripture clearly labels as sin, or that has the appearance (1Thess.5: 22) of evil.
Keep in mind that as an ambassador, one must become aware of the beliefs of others whom he/she desires to evangelize or edify them.
By refraining from engaging in legitimate (for you) activities in their presence that are offensive to them (1Cor. 10: 23-33), doors of opportunity can remain open that would otherwise be closed.
Discerning when it is the time (Eccl. 3: 1) for rigidity and the time for flexibility (without compromise) is what a disciplined ambassador must master.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Well done,
Blessings~