1 Corinthians 7:21-24 -- On Freedom and Service

"Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God."
1 Corinthians 7:21-24


The idea here seems to be that we are both free and bound in different ways, bought with a price, and yet freed to make our own choices. Our obligation to God is moral and spiritual, not forced on us with manacles or prods, and we should put our service to him above other service.

Today, let's worry less about our circumstances and more about where God is leading us. Let's work towards God's happy ending rather than being mired in worldly concerns. That stuff we need to deal with of course, but it requires only our surface attention. The real ideas, challenges, and joy is in following God on the bright path to perfection and joy.

1 Corinthians 6:7 -- On Eternal Perspective

"Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?"
1 Corinthians 6:7


I think this is a good illustration of just how differently God thinks about things, and the effort that it takes as followers of God to think of the world differently. God is asking us to let go of our pride and to value other people over our need to be right, and over our desires for worldly goods.

Today, let's consider this counsel. It's a tough idea, going along with loving our enemies. God wants us to love as he does--despite our transgressions and betrayals. It won't happen overnight, but let's try to start thinking about people differently, and treating them differently as we allow God to teach us his perspective.

Psalms 50:7-14 -- On Thanksgiving. Vows, and Choices

"Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High."
Psalms 50:7-14


I like the idea here that God isn't asking for animal sacrifice for his benefit. Instead, he just wants us to be thankful for the blessings that he offers us, and for us to keep our agreements with him. We've come a long way since then as a society and people, but God still wants the same things... he wants us to be thankful and to keep our covenants.

Today, let's work on seeking and getting to know God, so that we can understand all that he offers us, and our relationship to him. He has everything... he doesn't want our stuff. He wants to help us and teach us, and for us to choose the life and happy ending that he offers us over the temporary, knock-off, illusory happiness that Satan offers. Let's look into the options and take God up on his better offer. :)