The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 8:21,
"For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man."
Paul collected money from various Gentile fellowships in the field of his ministry to aid poverty stricken fellow believers in Jerusalem. As he carried this out he took steps to insure his activities in this matter were above reproach. One way he did this was have representatives from some of the churches accompany the gift to Jerusalem. They could verify to their home churches the money was handled appropriately.
The heart of mankind is given to suspicion of others, at times seeing only the worst in the motives of others. Unfortunately, this is alive and well in fellowships in our day. One only has to attend the "business meeting" of the church where the allocation of church funds is decided. Certainly not always, and, hopefully, rare, at times it can become heated with the murmuring of a few afterward.
Paul knew of these things in his day, and as his ministry, energized and guided by the Holy Spirit, engaged in this effort, he took steps to do what was right, not only before God, but also before the "eyes of man". He didn't want to create suspicions that might become an opportunity for the forces of evil to cause divisions and hostility within the church.
This was a strategy Paul used in his ministry and ought to be a guiding principle for us today. Here are a couple of other passages where Paul shares his concerns over the helpfulness of not offending or creating suspicion needlessly in the hearts and minds of others:
"So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." Acts 24:16.
"Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval." Romans 14:16.
"For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man."
Paul collected money from various Gentile fellowships in the field of his ministry to aid poverty stricken fellow believers in Jerusalem. As he carried this out he took steps to insure his activities in this matter were above reproach. One way he did this was have representatives from some of the churches accompany the gift to Jerusalem. They could verify to their home churches the money was handled appropriately.
The heart of mankind is given to suspicion of others, at times seeing only the worst in the motives of others. Unfortunately, this is alive and well in fellowships in our day. One only has to attend the "business meeting" of the church where the allocation of church funds is decided. Certainly not always, and, hopefully, rare, at times it can become heated with the murmuring of a few afterward.
Paul knew of these things in his day, and as his ministry, energized and guided by the Holy Spirit, engaged in this effort, he took steps to do what was right, not only before God, but also before the "eyes of man". He didn't want to create suspicions that might become an opportunity for the forces of evil to cause divisions and hostility within the church.
This was a strategy Paul used in his ministry and ought to be a guiding principle for us today. Here are a couple of other passages where Paul shares his concerns over the helpfulness of not offending or creating suspicion needlessly in the hearts and minds of others:
"So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." Acts 24:16.
"Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval." Romans 14:16.
Following Paul's example might have avoided some missteps we have seen in some fellowships.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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