John 5:10
so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”
Life Lesson
Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) begins after Jesus heals a lame man in Jerusalem on the Sabbath day by the pool. After 38 years the man is healed instantly. He rolls his mat and begins walking.
In pondering over today’s passage the thought which weighs most heavily on my heart is “Man or God made” rules. Moreover, does it (rules) help spread the Good News and help advance the Kingdom? Or, does it become an obstacle and a roadblock instead?
Over the past few months I noticed rules being placed on servants who volunteer with dedication and serve with devotion only to become discouraged. First a little. Then most recently, as of last week actually. Enough to leave our church to go elsewhere. Why? perhaps because man not God made rules were placed on them. Further, perhaps because Core Value #7 of our church which is “We Believe that genuine love and caring relationships are key to the life of every endeavor. We believe that a life will reach a life. Each believer develops genuine relationships with friends and family and extends an invitation to them. Evangelism gets to be a normal, natural lifestyle of winning others to Christ, one by one.” might not have been more carefully considered or maybe ignored altogether.
Hence, my take away today, without getting into the details of these rules, is to reflect on 2 Timothy 2:24 often and as necessary which says, “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.” Remembering it is good to be right but better to be kind. As Romans 14:13 says, “So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.”
Good stuff : )
Thanks Ken!