Understanding the non-negotiable's within scripture has been the catalyst for strength, courage, and discernment for many churches. Determining these non-negotiable's has also driven a wedge between various church bodies. The outcome of these wedges have been as severe as a church split, or simply, and yet as difficult: frustration, confusion, and disrespect. Our goal is to work through the non-negotiable's of scripture and ministry to strengthen our ability to be obedient to God as one team fighting for the same cause. A cause and purpose that has been laid on all of our hearts by God Himself.
What do you think are the non-negotiable acts of obedience being taught within these scripture passages? Please explain.
+Matthew 10:24-25
+Romans 12
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"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."
ReplyDeleteSincerity can be a hard trait to harness. In this world of "How are you?" "-fine" we both get used to giving and receiving generic responses to others. Sometimes we don't want to share the truth and sometime we don't want to or have time to hear the real answers from those we pose that question to.
I think a non-negotiable is sincerity. When we are open and sincere to each other and those who look up to us, we are paying them the respect of humanity. It is then, as humans we express love like Christ did. He was genuine in his time spent and conversations with others. Sometimes telling them things they didn't want to hear but yet still affirming their worth by caring enough to listen and then speak the truth in love.
It is amazing how hard it is to have sincere conversations anymore, whether with people or God. Everyone is so rushed, and have so much going on that to slow down seems impossible. To be sincere, for some anyway, may mean that they must slow down. To slow down gives some a feeling that at some point they need to catch up, but catch up to what is the question. The only thing that really matters in the long run is catching up with God, and God becomes the last thing on the list to do. And, that is a huge problem. God should never be something that we do. If you can't catch up with God, and our ministry stems from God are we really doing any good for others. Through us God's love, truth, forgiveness, hope, purpose, etc. is revealed to the world.
ReplyDeleteThe non-negotiable's I see are many, however the few that jump out to me focus on aligning our lives with Christ (renewing of our minds) for we represent God to those around us (a disciple is not above his teacher), especially to those who we disciple, mentor, coach, etc.
Fear comes over me at times due to the magnitude of our responsibility to model Christ. We are the ambassador's for God, and it is clear that we need to fight evil with good. Often times Christian's reverse those, and that scares me as they claim to represent God. At that point who does God become than due to our behavior? In the end God loves His creation more than we could ever do, therefore He will work through all our sin to make sure the correct message is being delivered. That is one of many reason why He is so amazing.
Ture
I agree with Ture, the non-negotiables I see in these passages are very many. But the verses that stood out most to me were Romans 12:11-12.
ReplyDelete"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer."
This has been a little bit of a struggle for me as I started a new job at JC Penney. I struggled to understand how this position related to my life and what part it played in God's plan for me. The first few weeks were especially hard for me, trying to balance all of my after-school activities, school, and work. But after lots of prayer, God has opened my eyes to ways that I can serve him in this position and be an example for my colleagues and the costumers of his love and joy. He has showed me how to praise him and rejoice even when we don't understand and maybe don't even like the position we are in, and then changed my perspective so I can find joy and peace in serving him in that same position.
I also think that this is essential when it comes to being a leader and example of Jesus for the children that we are pouring into. If we don't serve God with zeal and fervor, in all situations,how can we expect them to?
-Nicole Fish
Romans 12:4-6a "Just as each of us has one body with many members,and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us."
ReplyDeleteI think the non-negotiable from this passage is that we need to remember that our gifts are not for ourselves but for the benefit of the whole body.
Nicole Sudhoff
Romans 12 has so much to say that its hard to put in one comment, but there is one thing that left an impression on my heart.
ReplyDeleteThe message puts it this way...
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.
Our lives are not our own, we are His, and with that He doesn't want just simple, he wants more. Its hard though because we get caught up in our lives that we sometimes forget that God is first, because we have these lives, and they consume us.
I have to daily tell myself that all things that I do are done unto Him. I don't get this right all the time, but I try, and it seems that when I allow Him to be the lead like a good dancing partner, things go better!!!
Just my thoughts!
Wow! There are a lot of things here that I understand to be non-negotiables.
ReplyDeleteI think Matthew 10:24-25 teaches us to be an example worthy of following. And that can be very intimidating for me... It's hard to disciple/mentor others sometimes I gear they will want to be like me; I try to remind the girls the ultimate goal is to become like Jesus not like me! It kind of brings me into a place where a relationship with God-seeking Him and constantly trying to learn more about Him and be more like Him is not an option its a necessity because if I am not growing I cannot possible help others to grow.
Romans 12 also had a lot to say. Like Theresa said, our bodies are not our own and they belong to God and to a larger body-the church and like Nicole S said, our gifts are meant to be shared within the body and all are needed in order for the body to be alive and healthy. I also noticed in verse 2 it says BE TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of your mind ~ It isn't just a one time thing that takes place... its a constant relationship with the Lord, learning from Him and being more like Him.
Jessica