From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Dec 5, 2022 at 6:13 AM

Subject: 12-5-22 THOUGHTS

12-5-22   THOUGHTS

“Knowledge, arrogance and love” begin the passage area below.  Arrogance must be overcome by love when it comes to what I know.  I must never “RUIN” a soul for whom Christ died, by my behavior of knowing.  I must be sensitive to every soul I connect with.  Some things I know don’t matter in comparison to the value of an eternal soul.  THERE IS NO GOD BUT ONE!
Read verse 6 carefully.  We exist to get souls to see these principle things.  I must not over-power, or cause a stumbling of  a weak conscience.  Our RIGHTS,  can be a terribly selfish and destructive position.  If we assume the stronger position, our task is to lovingly direct a soul to Christ, with behavior that does not “sin and wound”!  May I note that there is application here in our marriages!   Love is key, always!  

1Cor 8:1-13    Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2  If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3  but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 4   Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.  5  For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6  yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 7  However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8  But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9  But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.  10  For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?  11  For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12  And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13  Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

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My Prayer:
Lord, as you let us live with other souls, may we, with pure hearts and loving behavior, help them to see Jesus.  You are the one and only true God, may we worship you with our whole being.  Make us more diligent and serious in our desire to know you fully.  Mature us as you let us live.  May we be sensitive to each soul we meet, and in love, may we value each soul.  Make us fishers of men, O Lord.  Make us lovers after your  nature.     In Jesus name,     Amen.