Identity - Week 17

If you were with us last week you know that 1 Corinthians 8 speaks to the priority we place on personal liberty. It exalts liberty as a uniquely "Christian" concept. We have been given liberty in Jesus Christ to live by the values of God's kingdom and not the religious rules of men. On the other hand, the Scripture, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and the example of Jesus all challenge us to submit our liberty to the greater priority of love. Love always trumps liberty for the follower of Jesus Christ. When we fight for our "rights" at the expense of others, we prove that we do not really understand the gospel.

Today we get a glimpse at the heart of a man whose liberty was fully submitted to the priority of love. He was willing to do even the unreasonable for the sake of the gospel; good news about Jesus that had radically rearranged every passion and priority in his life. I am challenged by this passage because I have yet so far to travel. I hope it challenges you as well as we continue together learning to live out our identity as "the people of Jesus Christ."

- Dan