Lordship Issue

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. [1 Corinthians 6.12-13]

It is so easy to make the Bible fit us rather than our lives fitting the Bible. With only a little effort, we can read what we want into the message of grace... But this is only so because of our immaturity in the Word.

As I was reading the portion of Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth today, it stood out to me that Paul was being pulled into all kinds of "spiritual maintenance." It kind of reminds me of the early church having to select the 7 deacons...

Even today, any time the church or any church group launches some new ministry, it doesn't take long for rules to have to be in place. Give it enough time, and there will be a problem.

Why? Why was Paul having to deal with these issues? Why does it always seem that man has to come back to living by rules?

The short answer is: because of Lordship issues. Jesus was not unclear whatsoever about the cost upon a devoted follower of His:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

As soon as we say, "Yeah, but what about..." be sure of this: Lordship has become an issue. If there is a question, then we should be on alert for rebellion - no matter how religious or spiritual it sounds. Jesus' words were not vague: giving up our own way is, and always will be, giving up our own way! And, "taking up our cross" will never mean anything other than death to self and selfish ways.

It started with the first church and has been an issue with every church since that time.

Just to say, "I am allowed to do anything..." (as Paul quoted above) reveals self-focus. Again, if there is a question, then there is a Lordship issue looming...

Father, help us to get past ourselves and solely into Christ. May we see that our lives are not at all our own, but Christ's to do with as He will (as He demonstrated). Remind us, every time an "issue" comes up to look for and avoid a selfish Lordship issue.