For learning about wisdom and instruction,
for understanding words of insight,
for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
righteousness, justice, and equity;
to teach shrewdness to the simple,
knowledge and prudence to the young—
let the wise also hear and gain in learning,
and the discerning acquire skill,
to understand a proverb and a figure,
the words of the wise and their riddles. NRSV
I have a wonderful adopted aunt. She went home to be with the Lord two years ago, but prior to that, I had the privilege of spending at least four weeks a year with her for more than five years. Even though she was in her late 70s and early 80s during that time, her energy level was amazing. I often had difficulty simply keeping up with her. Even in the last two years, when her health was beginning to fade, her entire focus was on learning, on listening to those around her (even “young” folks like me), on finding out what Christian scholars had to say about things. When most older people were perfecting their golf swings (and yes, earlier in life, she was an avid golfer), she was trying to perfect her use of a computer. Together with her husband, she continued to read books about eschatology (the end times) and other Bible subjects.
I have another wonderful adopt aunt. She went home to be with the Lord over ten years ago. But I can remember her telling me, “Robin, as I grow older, I realize that the less I really know about being a Christian.” An amazing statement from a woman who was known around the world for her Christian music and her ministry to literally millions of people.
Proverbs 1:5 says “Let the wise also hear and gain in learning and [let] the discerning acquire skill.” One of the important things in being a Christian—whether you are a brand-new Christian or a Christian of many years—is understanding that this journey is one of always learning, one of always studying, one of always improving. If we were instantly changed into what we should be at the moment we were saved, then God might as well transport us into heaven. He doesn’t . . . and we aren’t!
The Lord Jesus said: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV).
Being a Christian is being a life-long learner. It is the willingness to look at each and every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. A very wise (older) Christian man once told me that being a Christian is like that song “She’ll be comin’ around the mountain when she comes.” He said to me, “God brings us around to the same kind of experience over and over again until we learn what He wants us to learn.” I’ve found this to be true in my own life. If all I do is try to avoid the suffering or the embarrassment or the maturing, Father God brings me into a similar experience again. And again. And again. Rather than ask for a way out, there is a point where we need to ask for the wisdom to find a way through. And even those of us who’ve been Christians for a long time have much to learn about righteousness and obedience.
Thankfully, our learning isn’t alone. We aren’t set upon this path without a teacher. The Lord Jesus promised, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 NRSV). If we are willing to learn, He is willing to teach.
I have been facing a very difficult and potentially embarrassing situation. Along the way, I’ve done nothing wrong, but the actions and cruelty of another have placed me in a circumstance where I am being accused by those I consider friends and family. Convicted without trial, disparaged without an opportunity to explain or defend myself, I am—to put it bluntly—scared. I’ve cried to the Lord, protested, prayed. Nothing. Until last night. The Lord said to me (when I finally got quiet enough to listen), “What do you need to learn from this? This is a learning situation.” And I know what I need to learn. I do. Interestingly enough, the Lord (this time) hasn’t quieted my fears nor miraculously changed my emotions. Rather, I’m having to learn how to trust in the turmoil. Well, I recently studied about need to be courageous as a Christian. Being brave means facing a situation even when you are afraid. Facing it and remaining loving toward those who are harming you.
The Lord Jesus forgave, from the cross, those who were killing Him. And He asked the Father also to forgive them (Luke 23:34). How can I do any less? My job isn’t to defend my innocence, but to love my persecutors. A very different perspective from me, but one that I need to learn if I am to become more like Christ, my example.
The purpose of scripture is to teach. One of the purposes of a Christian is to learn. Even if we think we are wise, we are mature in the Lord, there is always a lot that we can learn. We need to face each day remembering that.
Musing
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Sunday, December 30, 2007
1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols. I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? RSV
When I first met my husband, he had attended only Catholic churches. And while there are (and we know many) wonderful devout Christians within the Catholic church, there are also (as within our own churches) those who are nominal members or attenders. My husband’s family was such a family.
He used to tell me about “Sunday morning obligation” where they would attend mass and then go home for mimosas (an alcoholic drink). The entire family, including the teenage kids, would be inebriated by evening.
I think that we often think of communion as some sort of ritual or habit that we do without understanding the full impact of participation.
Paul teaches:
“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” (Romans 6:6-8 RSV)
When we participate in communion, we are acting out in a ritualistic sense this relationship between Christ’s death and our own. We are acknowledging that we are setting aside, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the demands of the flesh and are embracing the life of the Spirit.
(It’s an interesting note also that those who are not saved are slaves to sin—they have no choice—but those who are saved choose to sin because we do have a choice.)
Paul says (in Corinthians): “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” Our participation in communion is holy reminder that we are the people of God, not just at the moment, but in every moment of our lives. That being said, why then do we choose to worship idols?
What is worship exactly? It is more than we think because it is more than just coming to a church building on Sunday morning and singing songs. Webster’s defines worship as “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.” In other words, that which we want, that which we desire, that which we spend time or resources on . . . that is the thing we are worshiping.
So what is an idol? Again, the dictionary tells us “an object of extreme devotion.”
So what are we devoted to? Our children? Our husband? Our job? Our reputation? Our homes? Our possessions? Our dreams? Our future plans?
Anything to which we show devotion that is outside of Christian duty is idol worship; in other words, what God commands us to love is allowed . . . as long as we love Him more and we love that thing or person because He commands it. Otherwise, it is either an idol or is liable to become an idol.
Paul goes a step further. He cautions Christians against embracing even those things which are related to idols (the food offered to idols). In other words, rather than skirting the edge and still living without sinning, Paul is admonishing us to keep a large distance between ourselves and those things which would demand our devotion.
God will not share us with idols. He will not share our affection, our devotion, our worship. And if we are not His friends, we risk becoming His enemies. He is a God of mercy Who readily forgives us when we repent, but He is also a God of jealousy who isn’t content with only a part of us. He wants all . . . or nothing.
Think about it. I wouldn’t be content with a husband who was willing to share me with other men. Why should I be content with a God who would share me with other objects of worship? God, simply because of Who He is, deserves all of my worship, my focus, my attention. God, Who because of what He’s done (by providing salvation through the death of His Son), demands all of my worship, my focus, my attention.
I am His by original ownership (through creation). I am His by right of purchase (through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ).
When I first met my husband, he had attended only Catholic churches. And while there are (and we know many) wonderful devout Christians within the Catholic church, there are also (as within our own churches) those who are nominal members or attenders. My husband’s family was such a family.
He used to tell me about “Sunday morning obligation” where they would attend mass and then go home for mimosas (an alcoholic drink). The entire family, including the teenage kids, would be inebriated by evening.
I think that we often think of communion as some sort of ritual or habit that we do without understanding the full impact of participation.
Paul teaches:
“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” (Romans 6:6-8 RSV)
When we participate in communion, we are acting out in a ritualistic sense this relationship between Christ’s death and our own. We are acknowledging that we are setting aside, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the demands of the flesh and are embracing the life of the Spirit.
(It’s an interesting note also that those who are not saved are slaves to sin—they have no choice—but those who are saved choose to sin because we do have a choice.)
Paul says (in Corinthians): “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” Our participation in communion is holy reminder that we are the people of God, not just at the moment, but in every moment of our lives. That being said, why then do we choose to worship idols?
What is worship exactly? It is more than we think because it is more than just coming to a church building on Sunday morning and singing songs. Webster’s defines worship as “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.” In other words, that which we want, that which we desire, that which we spend time or resources on . . . that is the thing we are worshiping.
So what is an idol? Again, the dictionary tells us “an object of extreme devotion.”
So what are we devoted to? Our children? Our husband? Our job? Our reputation? Our homes? Our possessions? Our dreams? Our future plans?
Anything to which we show devotion that is outside of Christian duty is idol worship; in other words, what God commands us to love is allowed . . . as long as we love Him more and we love that thing or person because He commands it. Otherwise, it is either an idol or is liable to become an idol.
Paul goes a step further. He cautions Christians against embracing even those things which are related to idols (the food offered to idols). In other words, rather than skirting the edge and still living without sinning, Paul is admonishing us to keep a large distance between ourselves and those things which would demand our devotion.
God will not share us with idols. He will not share our affection, our devotion, our worship. And if we are not His friends, we risk becoming His enemies. He is a God of mercy Who readily forgives us when we repent, but He is also a God of jealousy who isn’t content with only a part of us. He wants all . . . or nothing.
Think about it. I wouldn’t be content with a husband who was willing to share me with other men. Why should I be content with a God who would share me with other objects of worship? God, simply because of Who He is, deserves all of my worship, my focus, my attention. God, Who because of what He’s done (by providing salvation through the death of His Son), demands all of my worship, my focus, my attention.
I am His by original ownership (through creation). I am His by right of purchase (through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ).
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Matthew 6:12-15
And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. RSV
One of the frequent commercial jingles around the Christian season is the phrase: “Give the gift that keeps on giving.” I think that one of the gifts we can give others–as well as ourselves–is the gift of forgiveness.
I often see us, when we interact with the people around us, like balls in a pinball machine. Did you ever play pinball as a kid (or even as an adult)? You watch that little ball bounce around, often rather fiercely, against all the obstacles, racking up points. Well, imagine that you were able to release not one but dozens of balls into the game. Not only would the balls be bouncing off the obstacles, trying to avoid anything and everything in their paths, but they would also–with the same intensity–be bouncing off each other. Not really intentionally, but simply because that’s the nature of a pinball game.
As human beings, we are born sinful. We tend to be demanding, egocentric, selfish. Even at our best, we grate against each other, do the wrong things, make the wrong choices. Like dozens of balls in a pinball machine, we bounce off each other, sometimes accomplishing something worthwhile, but more often changing the course of another’s path, interfering with their goals, bruising their feelings. And, of course, because we see things from our own perspective, we don’t see ourselves as the culprits as much as we see others as interfering with us.
The fact is, even at our best, we often bounce off others causing them physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial harm.
The Lord Jesus, when He taught His disciples (and us), to pray added two very interesting (and related) phrases:
• And forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who sin against us)
• For if you forgive men their trespasses (sins), your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses (sins), neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (sins).
There many be scads of reasons why Father God connected the forgiveness of our own sins to our willingness to forgive others, but the fact is, He did . . . and we should! Forgiveness is that gift that truly “keeps on giving,” not only because it benefits us, but it truly heals relationships. Even when we forgive those who don’t want to be forgiven, when we set aside our resentment and anger to reach out in forgiveness, we give to ourselves.
I know that, in my own life, when I have held grudges, I have done so in some kind of extended punishment for the person with whom I’m angry. I figure that if I stay angry, they will continue to be hurt by my anger. Do you want to know the truth? Usually that person hasn’t the foggiest idea that I’m angry and, if they do know, they don’t care. In other words, all the effort and energy I’m spending on maintaining my anger isn’t doing anything except harming me.
Not only am I exerting energy and effort needlessly, but I’m actually consciously rebelling against the commandments of God.
Why would I want to do either?
As we all look toward the beginning of the New Year, perhaps this would be the time to look at our resentments of old, to finally and completely put them at the Throne, and to walk away. To forgive those who have sinned against us and to completely and fully embrace the forgiveness of our Lord, paid by His precious blood.
One of the frequent commercial jingles around the Christian season is the phrase: “Give the gift that keeps on giving.” I think that one of the gifts we can give others–as well as ourselves–is the gift of forgiveness.
I often see us, when we interact with the people around us, like balls in a pinball machine. Did you ever play pinball as a kid (or even as an adult)? You watch that little ball bounce around, often rather fiercely, against all the obstacles, racking up points. Well, imagine that you were able to release not one but dozens of balls into the game. Not only would the balls be bouncing off the obstacles, trying to avoid anything and everything in their paths, but they would also–with the same intensity–be bouncing off each other. Not really intentionally, but simply because that’s the nature of a pinball game.
As human beings, we are born sinful. We tend to be demanding, egocentric, selfish. Even at our best, we grate against each other, do the wrong things, make the wrong choices. Like dozens of balls in a pinball machine, we bounce off each other, sometimes accomplishing something worthwhile, but more often changing the course of another’s path, interfering with their goals, bruising their feelings. And, of course, because we see things from our own perspective, we don’t see ourselves as the culprits as much as we see others as interfering with us.
The fact is, even at our best, we often bounce off others causing them physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial harm.
The Lord Jesus, when He taught His disciples (and us), to pray added two very interesting (and related) phrases:
• And forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who sin against us)
• For if you forgive men their trespasses (sins), your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses (sins), neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (sins).
There many be scads of reasons why Father God connected the forgiveness of our own sins to our willingness to forgive others, but the fact is, He did . . . and we should! Forgiveness is that gift that truly “keeps on giving,” not only because it benefits us, but it truly heals relationships. Even when we forgive those who don’t want to be forgiven, when we set aside our resentment and anger to reach out in forgiveness, we give to ourselves.
I know that, in my own life, when I have held grudges, I have done so in some kind of extended punishment for the person with whom I’m angry. I figure that if I stay angry, they will continue to be hurt by my anger. Do you want to know the truth? Usually that person hasn’t the foggiest idea that I’m angry and, if they do know, they don’t care. In other words, all the effort and energy I’m spending on maintaining my anger isn’t doing anything except harming me.
Not only am I exerting energy and effort needlessly, but I’m actually consciously rebelling against the commandments of God.
Why would I want to do either?
As we all look toward the beginning of the New Year, perhaps this would be the time to look at our resentments of old, to finally and completely put them at the Throne, and to walk away. To forgive those who have sinned against us and to completely and fully embrace the forgiveness of our Lord, paid by His precious blood.
Monday, November 26, 2007
1 Corinthians 6:12-13a
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. NKJ
The Corinthians had become obsessed with the idea that they were “free from the law.” Wrongly, they applied this concept to the idea that, if they were free from the law, then they were free to do anything they liked. That freedom from the law was akin to license.
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Romans 7:4-6 NKJ
Arnold Fruchtenbaum (from Ariel Ministries) teaches that while we have been released from the Law of Moses, we are called as Christians to a higher law, the law of Christ. Freedom doesn’t give us the right to do anything we please, but rather empowers us to do what pleases God.
Matthew Henry writes:
“The connection seems plain enough if we attend to the famous determination of the apostles, Acts 15, where the prohibition of certain foods was joined with that of fornication. Now some among the Corinthians seem to have imagined that they were as much at liberty in the point of fornication as of meats, especially because it was not a sin condemned by the laws of their country. They were ready to say, even in the case of fornication, All things are lawful for me. This pernicious conceit Paul here sets himself to oppose: he tells them that many things lawful in themselves were not expedient at certain times, and under particular circumstances; and Christians should not barely consider what is in itself lawful to be done, but what is fit for them to do, considering their profession, character, relations, and hopes: they should be very careful that by carrying this maxim too far they be not brought into bondage, either to a crafty deceiver or a carnal inclination.”
I believe that here (from Henry) what is most important is that:
“Christians should not barely consider what is in itself lawful to be done, but what is fit for them to do” so that they should not become “a crafty deceiver or a carnal inclination.”
Often we believe that we are doing the right thing because it is the thing we want to do. And yet, if we truly want to please God, we will be willing to do the difficult thing, the hard thing, the painful thing because that is what is “fit” for us to do.
Do we truly believe Romans 8:28, that God will work all things out for our good? Or do we, in our hearts, not really trust God to do what He says, and think that we must do what is for our own good? I think that if we are honest, we will admit that often we aren’t willing to wait for God to act; we act in His place and then ask (or assume) His blessing on our own choice, our own action. I know that, in my own case, I’m often not willing to wait on God’s timetable, but want to do things in my own time. I don’t trust Him to get things done and when I don’t see Him acting (when or how I think He should), I go ahead on my own. Unfortunately, I often experience bad consequences because of my own impatience.
When I wait on God, I am trusting Him and I’m thinking of others around me (rather than myself). And isn’t that the point? To love those around us more than ourselves? When I force the issue, I’m thinking of myself. When I allow God to work in His time, I’m thinking of all the others involved in the situation and allowing God to do what is best. Sometimes He will direct me to act, but more often, He directs me simply to trust and let Him act.
The Corinthians had become obsessed with the idea that they were “free from the law.” Wrongly, they applied this concept to the idea that, if they were free from the law, then they were free to do anything they liked. That freedom from the law was akin to license.
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Romans 7:4-6 NKJ
Arnold Fruchtenbaum (from Ariel Ministries) teaches that while we have been released from the Law of Moses, we are called as Christians to a higher law, the law of Christ. Freedom doesn’t give us the right to do anything we please, but rather empowers us to do what pleases God.
Matthew Henry writes:
“The connection seems plain enough if we attend to the famous determination of the apostles, Acts 15, where the prohibition of certain foods was joined with that of fornication. Now some among the Corinthians seem to have imagined that they were as much at liberty in the point of fornication as of meats, especially because it was not a sin condemned by the laws of their country. They were ready to say, even in the case of fornication, All things are lawful for me. This pernicious conceit Paul here sets himself to oppose: he tells them that many things lawful in themselves were not expedient at certain times, and under particular circumstances; and Christians should not barely consider what is in itself lawful to be done, but what is fit for them to do, considering their profession, character, relations, and hopes: they should be very careful that by carrying this maxim too far they be not brought into bondage, either to a crafty deceiver or a carnal inclination.”
I believe that here (from Henry) what is most important is that:
“Christians should not barely consider what is in itself lawful to be done, but what is fit for them to do” so that they should not become “a crafty deceiver or a carnal inclination.”
Often we believe that we are doing the right thing because it is the thing we want to do. And yet, if we truly want to please God, we will be willing to do the difficult thing, the hard thing, the painful thing because that is what is “fit” for us to do.
Do we truly believe Romans 8:28, that God will work all things out for our good? Or do we, in our hearts, not really trust God to do what He says, and think that we must do what is for our own good? I think that if we are honest, we will admit that often we aren’t willing to wait for God to act; we act in His place and then ask (or assume) His blessing on our own choice, our own action. I know that, in my own case, I’m often not willing to wait on God’s timetable, but want to do things in my own time. I don’t trust Him to get things done and when I don’t see Him acting (when or how I think He should), I go ahead on my own. Unfortunately, I often experience bad consequences because of my own impatience.
When I wait on God, I am trusting Him and I’m thinking of others around me (rather than myself). And isn’t that the point? To love those around us more than ourselves? When I force the issue, I’m thinking of myself. When I allow God to work in His time, I’m thinking of all the others involved in the situation and allowing God to do what is best. Sometimes He will direct me to act, but more often, He directs me simply to trust and let Him act.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
1 Corinthians 6:7-11
Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. NKJ
What’s interesting about this passage is that Paul is talking about two believers bringing each other to court and he immediately (without change of even paragraph) goes into this seeming tirade about how the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. In Paul’s mind, the two are somehow connected, are somehow related.
The transition sentence is: “No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!” This statement is in contrast to: “Why do you nor rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?”
The fact is that, in most disagreements, there are two sides where each side is both somewhat wrong and somewhat right. And while we—being on one side—may believe that we are entirely in the right, often conflict comes out of two things: (1) miscommunications, and (2) refusals to give in, even an iota. Paul calls the refusal to give in, the refusal to accept a “wrong” rather than fight with a brethren “unrighteous.” In other words, when we fight with other believers—even if our “position” is right—it places us in the wrong. “Why do you not rather accept wrong?” Paul is pretty clear.
Then he gets really down and dirty. Believers who fight with other believers are included in his list of the “unrighteous:” fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners. This is a familiar list, one that Paul has used previously. What is interesting about the list is that there are things that are very obviously not part of whom we are as Christians . . . and then . . . they are things that are very much part of who many of us are. Do we not covet (want that which we don’t have)? Do we not extort (try to manipulate others into the position we want them to have)? Paul is telling us that there can be a very fine line between being a Christian who follows the Lord regardless, and being someone who only things they are a believer.
The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.
I’ve been learning, through a very difficult personal lesson, that God is much more concerned about the people in our lives (and how we relate to them) than He is about the tasks that we accomplish. Think about it! He doesn’t need us at all to do anything for Him; He is fully able to do everything He desires. But He has charged us with the duty to love others, particularly those within the Church: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 NKJ). How we relate to each other is much more important to the Father than what we accomplish in this life.
What’s interesting about this passage is that Paul is talking about two believers bringing each other to court and he immediately (without change of even paragraph) goes into this seeming tirade about how the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. In Paul’s mind, the two are somehow connected, are somehow related.
The transition sentence is: “No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!” This statement is in contrast to: “Why do you nor rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?”
The fact is that, in most disagreements, there are two sides where each side is both somewhat wrong and somewhat right. And while we—being on one side—may believe that we are entirely in the right, often conflict comes out of two things: (1) miscommunications, and (2) refusals to give in, even an iota. Paul calls the refusal to give in, the refusal to accept a “wrong” rather than fight with a brethren “unrighteous.” In other words, when we fight with other believers—even if our “position” is right—it places us in the wrong. “Why do you not rather accept wrong?” Paul is pretty clear.
Then he gets really down and dirty. Believers who fight with other believers are included in his list of the “unrighteous:” fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners. This is a familiar list, one that Paul has used previously. What is interesting about the list is that there are things that are very obviously not part of whom we are as Christians . . . and then . . . they are things that are very much part of who many of us are. Do we not covet (want that which we don’t have)? Do we not extort (try to manipulate others into the position we want them to have)? Paul is telling us that there can be a very fine line between being a Christian who follows the Lord regardless, and being someone who only things they are a believer.
The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.
I’ve been learning, through a very difficult personal lesson, that God is much more concerned about the people in our lives (and how we relate to them) than He is about the tasks that we accomplish. Think about it! He doesn’t need us at all to do anything for Him; He is fully able to do everything He desires. But He has charged us with the duty to love others, particularly those within the Church: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 NKJ). How we relate to each other is much more important to the Father than what we accomplish in this life.
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