Cornerstone

1 Cor 10:19-23 (22)

It seemed like I was constantly getting into fights. As a ten or eleven-year-old boy I was not aggressive, abrasive or argumentative. I thought I was a nice guy. Older students at my elementary school, however, continued to pick on me. It didn’t help that I had not lost a fight. It seemed to be a challenge to them.

This time was different. A boy I knew and his older sister were on their way home from school. Without any provocation he insulted me and challenge me to fight. After some unpleasant conversation his older sister stepped forward and said, “If you hurt my little brother I will give you a licken’.” My parents taught me to never touch a girl and to act respectfully toward women. Besides that the girl was about a foot taller and quite a lot heavier than I was. It was time to retreat.

There are times when we may feel that we are right and want to push our Christian liberty in the presence of a brother who is restricted by rules and regulations. Paul indicated that this may “provoke the Lord to jealousy” so that He will take up the defense of our brother against us. That is a situation we want to avoid. In our desire to please God at all times and in all ways we will do our best to not damage the conscience of our brother by our freedom in Christ.

Dr. Gayle Woods

1 Cor 11:17-34 (26)

They pushed. They shoved. They talked at the same time. The father looked down at his two little boys. It was clear to see that he was perplexed. How do you treat your son as if he were your only son when he isn=t? When would they learn the joy of having a brother? When would they learn that they did not have to be an only son to be loved by their father?

It is so noxious to see two siblings struggling for the attention and favor of their parent. This happens between older siblings as well as those who are still children. The methods may be more sophisticated but the intent is still the same. The change in the tone of voice, the extra animation in communication, the body language all demonstrate the tug of war that is raging between two who want exclusive rights to the one they pursue.

The Corinthian Christians should have been there when Jesus prayed that special prayer. What was His concern for those who followed Him? That they would be one! He wanted to be sure that they would be unified! He did not want them to be fighting over Him . . . He wanted them to love Him and each other as well. He wanted them to remember that they were family. Maybe we also ought to read His prayer once again.

Dr. Gayle Woods