ISSL Reflections November 26 2023 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 Post 3

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VII.
This passage becomes (at least for me) an exercise in “if … then.” “If (A) is true, and if (B) is true, what THEN.”

Maybe we could think of this as some of the paradoxes inherent in discipleship. If “paradoxes” is too strong of a word for you, maybe we could say “contrasts” in the life of the disciple.

Let’s take a look at these paradoxes/contrasts.

VIII.
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 (NRSVue)

“All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

IX.

All things are permitted,
    Not all things are beneficial.
All things are permitted,
    Not all things build up.
Seek your own advantage,
    Seek the advantage of the other.
Eat whatever is before you,
    Do not eat for the sake of the conscience of the other.

Have you had the opportunity (challenge) to walk this line that Paul draws? If so, when was it? How did you walk it?

Sometimes the statement that, “… i try to please everyone in everything I do…” gives me trouble. It sounds like the opposite of “freedom.” It could sound like what I think doesn’t matter. Do you think that is what Paul has in mind here?

One more thing from this passage,

“… do everything for the glory of God.”

How can we live with the paradoxes Paul puts before us while seeking “the glory of God”?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 26 2023 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 Post 2

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IV.
After your initial reading (probably a re-reading) of this passage what freedoms do you hear Paul mention or imply?

V.
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 (NRSVue)

“All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

VI.
What does lead us to consider?

Certainly food, and food rituals. Of course that includes what we drink or do not drink. When he speaks of being invited to share a meal with an “unbeliever,” he addresses hospitality and friendship, I think.

All this with the underlying theme of “freedom.” It seems to me Paul takes our “freedom” in Christ seriously.

But then there is the other side of our freedom.

“Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other.”

How does he apply that to eating, drinking and hospitality?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 26 2023 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 Post 1

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I.
How free is the religious person?

Some folk think to be religious is to lose freedom. Others may think, to be religious is to find greater freedom.

This week let’s consider the perspective Paul brings to the discussion.

II.
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 (NRSVue)

“All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

III.
His opening phrase, “All things are permitted …” has to capture our attention. Right? Wait a moment. Then we hear, “… but not all …” Isn’t that so often the way things turn out. There is so often that “… but … “ which limits or even negates what we just found to our liking.

As you spend time with this passage, keep that tension of, “All … but …” in mind.

First, let’s notice what he identifies or implies is “permitted.” Look for parallels in your experiences of what he names for those first readers.

Let’s start our consideration of his words with getting a good handle on the freedoms that Paul considers available to us as disciples of Jesus.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 19 2023 Colossians 2:16–23 Post 3

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VII.
Today as we reread this passage, let this be our guide through the passage,

“… holding fast to the head.”

VIII.
Colossians 2:16-23 (NRSVue)

Therefore, do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food or drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the body belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, initiatory visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with a growth that is from God.

If with Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.

IX.
Paul had already mentioned in Colossians that Jesus Christ is the “head,”

“He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.” (Colossians 1:18)

… and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. (Colossians 2:10)

And in Ephesians he wrote,

And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, (Ephesians 1:22)

but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, (Ephesians 4:15)

In this week’s Scripture passage he emphasizes some things that prevent one from acknowledging Jesus as our “head” but also prevents us from “[growing] up in every way into him who is the head.”

Take time today to reflect on what might hold you back from recognizing Jesus as the head of our life of discipleship and the model for our maturing in the life of discipleship.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 19 2023 Colossians 2:16–23 Post 2

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IV.
As we return to this passage, please notice the last sentence,

“These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.”

What does this suggest to you is the goal of practicing the “regulations” identified here?

V.
Colossians 2:16-23 (NRSVue)

Therefore, do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food or drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the body belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, initiatory visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with a growth that is from God.

If with Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.

VI.
What do folk think they gain by practicing these “human commands and teachings”?

Do they want to improve their lives? Do they want to become more Christlike?

Do they want to become “wise, pious and humble” or do they want to appear to be so?

What do you think leads Paul to consider such “of no value in checking self-indulgence”?

What “self-indulgence” do they want to put behind them and what “self-indulgence” do they embrace?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 19 2023 Colossians 2:16–23 Post 1

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I.
As we turn to these few sentences to the Epistle to the disciples in Colossae, do you hear Paul tell them,

“Do Not submit to regulations.”

Take that waring from Paul and listen to him speak of “regulations” that are “simply human commands and teachings.”

What “regulations” does he identify in these paragraphs?

II.
Colossians 2:16-23 (NRSVue)

Therefore, do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food or drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the body belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, initiatory visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with a growth that is from God.

If with Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.

III.
What did you notice?

  • Food, drink
  • Festivals
  • Self-abasement
  • Worship of angels
  • Visions

Do you ever notice such “regulations” taking a priority in the life of disciples today?

What other “regulations … commands … teachings … ,” do you notice that take on an inflated importance in the life of discipleship today?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 12 2023 Romans 13:8–10; 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 Post 3

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VII.
Let’s give another reading to both of these passages.

Take note that Paul speaks of what fulfills, what never ends, and what ceases.

Read the passages again, looking for how the eternal might break into our lives that are often held captive to the momentary.

VIII.
Romans 13:8-10 (NRSVue)

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NRSVue)

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.

IX.
“… for the one who loves has fulfilled the law … love never ends … I have been fully known … faith, hope and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”

Where does the One who fully knows you, see faith, hope and love in our life?

Where do you see faith, hope and love in your life?

What does Paul offer you in the way of hope and the three, faith, hope and love, can increase in your life?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 12 2023 Romans 13:8–10; 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 Post 2

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IV.
Today, let’s read both of these passages and then return to the 1 Corinthians passage and reread it.

In part this passage deals with time. What do you hear it telling you about time and the ending of things?

V.
Romans 13:8-10 (NRSVue)

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NRSVue)

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.

VI.
What does Paul tell us will end?

And on the other side, what does he tell us will not end?

After he mentions “… knowledge … will come to an end…” he introduces the idea that some things are partial or incomplete, and yet, he tells us “the complete” can come. And apparently to offer another illustration of this he references what a child can think, reason and know as opposed to an adult who “put[s] and end to childish ways.”

And to still give another illustration he contrasts seeing a reflection and seeing “face to face.”

I can’t help but think Paul is trying to help us catch a glimpse of the eternal and at the same time, hold what we think we know with a sense of humility.

What do you think? Does Paul offer you any reassurance that we can know something of the eternal given we live in a world where things will come to an end and cease?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 12 2023 Romans 13:8–10; 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 Post 1

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I.
This week we will focus on passages from two of the Pauline epistles, Romans and 1 Corinthians.

Both passages stress “love.”

After you read both passages, come back to the Romans passage and listen for how love “fulfilled the law.”

II.
Romans 13:8-10 (NRSVue)

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NRSVue)

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.

III.
Paul tells us “the one who loves has fulfilled the law … love is the fulfilling of the law.”

What does love do that fulfills the law?

How does love take one beyond keeping the commandments?

Maybe we could even ask how love takes us beyond doing and on to being the person that loves.

Can you identify something you “owe” to another person? Can you think of how love can “pay-off” what you owe?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 5 2023 Acts 15:1–11 Post 3

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VII.
“After much debate Peter stood up and said to them …”

As you read this passage today, think of what those who wanted the Gentile believers “to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses” wanted to hear from the meeting of “the apostles and elders” and what they did hear.

VIII.
Acts 15:1-11 (NRSVue)

Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”

The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers,you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us, and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

IX.
What does Peter claim about his part in what brought this issue to the point the apostles and elders faced here?

Did he claim too much or was he reporting the situation accurately?

Is he right that the “yoke” the “believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees” wanted to place on the neck of the Gentile believers was so heavy that no one had been able to carry, and no one could carry it?

What “yoke” of discipleship can you manage?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}