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Inspirational article from Joanne Lowe

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NO COMPROMISE

“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”

1 Corinthians 10: 21, 23 King James Version

Webster’s Dictionary defines expedient as “expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles”. We live in a world that is filled with advertising that entices us to do things that hurt Jesus. Many people think that it is okay to take one or two drinks, but Jesus said “All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not”. The definition for edify in Webster’s Dictionary is “to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge”.

The question all of us need to ask ourselves is “When people see me doing this, will it draw them closer to Jesus or will it hurt my testimony? Will they know that I love Jesus if I do this”? If we are doing something that will not encourage people to turn to Jesus, then we need to ask God if He wants us to do it. It may be okay to do it, but it may not be in His will for us.

A man was talking to me a couple of weeks ago and he made this statement “She came to me and told me that she was going on a mission trip but I doubt if she really is sincere. She claims to be a Christian but she had a cigarette in her hand when she told me about the mission trip. Aren’t people supposed to act different when they say they are a Christian”?

A very dear friend of mine told me that everyone is watching him to see if he makes a mistake. All of us who call ourselves a Christian have a responsibility to live our lives the way Jesus has asked us to live. This does not mean that we will never make a mistake and sin, but it does mean that we should not do something to put a stumbling block to Jesus in front of others intentionally. If you have any doubts at all that what you are doing may hurt your Christian witness, then you need to go to Jesus and ask Him what you should do. He is the only one with the authority to answer this question. Others can advise, but only Jesus has the answer.

I urge all of us to be careful that we don’t put a stumbling block in front of our families, our friends and the world. A pastor friend of mine once said in a sermon when he was preaching about being careful what we say to people “Is it important? Is it necessary and does it encourage? If it doesn’t meet these guidelines, then you don’t need to say it”.

Is what we are doing encouraging people, or is it discouraging them? Do they see Jesus in our actions and hear Him in our words? We need to be very careful that we don’t offend people and keep them from seeking Jesus. He is not willing that any should perish and we need to be a shining light for Him.

Joanne Lowe
November 11, 2006

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