[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Monday March 19, 2007

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotion Monday March 19, 2007

I have for some time now thought to write a devotional book based upon the
introductory verses of each book of the Bible. This week walk with me as we
listen to the opening verses of some New Testament writings. pastor barry.

 

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our
brother Sosthenes, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are
sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who
in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord
and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord  Jesus
Christ.

 

The line from Mary Poppins, "a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go
down,"  has to be in the top ten principles of healthy human relationships.
Paul begins his letter to the Corinthian congregation with a spoonful of
sugar but is careful that it is not a piece of baloney.

The Corinthian Christians are a real mess. They are quarrelsome, arrogant,
rude and riddled with heresy.  Their congregational life has become so bad
that word has reached him hundreds of miles away. Rather than begin his
letter to them in anger (which they deserved) or condescension (in which
they were well schooled) he begins with a gentle and loving greeting that
carefully reminds them whose they are as the people of God and wishing for
them grace and peace.

He does not tell them that they are lovely or that they are a great bunch of
people nor does he pounce upon their sin. He confronts them gracefully and
then in a few sentences goes on to talk about the situation.  

Are you angry at someone? Don't ignore them or the problem. Confront the
situation with a spoonful of sugar (not baloney) but be honest and genuine.
That is the way of Christ and it will lead to resolution and healing.

 

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