Lent 2009 #16

Psalm 19:7-13   

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.

13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

THOUGHTS:

God's laws are more to be desired then "much find gold."  We tend to think of laws as merely a list of things we can't do.  The law restricts us from speeding, killing, parking certain places, etc.  To be sure, that's a common view of God's commandments too.  People don't like that God made us  how we are, then tells us "thou shalt not" do whatever you want. 

Yet the psalmist rejoices in these "rules." Why?

Many of the decrees found in scripture aren't about controlling people, but rather they teach us how to live in community with each other.  Maybe that's why, when asked what the greatest commandment is in Matthew 22, Jesus replied, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Next time you are reading God's "rules" -- try reading them through a lens of love.  Ask yourself, how does this commandment help me understand love?  How does it help me share God's love with those around me?

 

PRAYER:

Lord, help us to see those around us as you do.  Help us to love as you love.  Help us to serve you with our whole selves, as Jesus did.  AMEN.

---

These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University .  Feel free to share them with your friends!  For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran  

You can subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com

Lent Day #26

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (ESV)
23 "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

THOUGHTS:
What does Paul mean here? It is easy to understand that "not all things are helpful" ... that "not all things build up". His main point here is about food, but it is clear when he says "whatever you do" in verse 31 that he intends for this type of thinking to apply to extend to everything.

We know that there are many things we can do that are harmful or destructive. Some of these things are There are many things we know are harmful and destructive. There are things that can be done and said that tear down our neighbor and our environment. Paul indicates that it's also not helpful to do things that lead others away from faith. He says that we shouldn't do those things that lead others away from faith ... away from God.

He says that his liberty should be determined by "someone else's conscience" (verse 29). I have a hard time with this. I agree that we shouldn't be hypocrites -- that we live according to our beliefs. Yet, should we also try to live within a box of what others believe a Christian should be like? There are people who believe a Christian should never drink a drop of alcohol, yet Jesus drank wine. I could list for paragraphs various things that people think "good Christians" should or should not do -- with no scriptural basis.

So what does this passage mean for us today?

PRAYER:
Dear God, help us to wrestle with Your Word. Help us to live in the questions, knowing that we find you in the struggle and sometimes answers aren't the point. Allow us to immerse ourselves in you, that we might truly live. AMEN.