Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world because you hold on to the word of life. This will allow me to say on the day of Christ that I haven’t run for nothing or worked for nothing. But even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the altar of service for your faith, I am glad. I’m glad with all of you. You should be glad about this in the same way. Be glad with me! So then, my brothers and sisters, be glad in the Lord. It’s no trouble for me to repeat the same things to you because they will help keep you on track. Watch out for the “dogs.” Watch out for people who do evil things. Watch out for those who insist on circumcision, which is really mutilation. We are the circumcision. We are the ones who serve by God’s Spirit and who boast in Christ Jesus. We don’t put our confidence in rituals performed on the body, though I have good reason to have this kind of confidence. (Philippians 2:14-18; 3:1-4a, CEB)
This is a lesson I need to learn. Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. The ministry I serve is at a very conservative campus and we are a Reconciling in Christ Ministry, meaning we welcome everyone and everyone belongs as they are. We are on campus almost every Wednesday to pass out popsicles and with our RIC logo on a poster we have we usually get one person ask us about our beliefs, which usually leads to me getting agitated and argumentative. And this doesn’t help anyone or anything. I need to learn to follow my advice from yesterday and “Shake the dust off your feet and walk away…” This would be fruitful for all and help to stay blameless.
Fighting doesn’t help build up the body of Christ. We can not remain silent but at what point do we concede and walk away? We need to watch out for evil, and maybe point it out but if evil is causing arguments, when do we step away? Our hope is in Jesus and Jesus said if they don’t accept you, shake off the dust and walk away. I need to learn to walk away form those who will not engage in conversation.
Love always and share that love.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 