SCRIP-BITS

Romans 12:3.     For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! Yes, that joyful day that heralds the upcoming weekend. And for once the majority of workers are on the same page, expressing the sentiment ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ Some will use the time off to party, others to just laze around, while some unlucky ones will have to catch up on the housework they ignored during the rigorous workweek. But one thing is certain, regardless of how the weekend is used, we’ll all complain that it’s way too short. However, as believers, we have our Friday Chant that helps to put everything in its proper perspective. So let’s chant nuh. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Yes Friends, with the help of Almighty God, the weekend will do wonders for our minds, souls and bodies, so that come Monday we’ll be fighting fit and ready to battle once again. But in all of that we have to be very careful of our attitudes, in terms of our Bit: ‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.’ Bruh Paul was here writing to the Roman Church re the service of LOVE for all. The basic story here is that we ought not to get too ‘hoighty toighty,’ too swell headed over our gifts from God, neither should we become too humble, having no pride at all in our abilities and gifts. It’s a fine balancing act to do it properly, but do it we must, for Christ’s Church is based on a solid combination of both pride and humility. Now if we break down our Bit, what do we find? In the opening words, Bruh Paul talks about the grace given to him, which obviously came from the Almighty, but still caused some confusion between him and the apostles in Jerusalem. The latter doubted his authority to preach the gospel, and also having knowledge of his earlier persecution of believers, didn’t help matters either. However, fourteen years after visiting Jerusalem, Bruh Paul was led by the Spirit to go back there, accompanied by Barnabas and Titus. While there he conferred privately with the senior apostles re the gospel he was preaching to the Gentiles. Obviously there were some who negated his teaching, and the contentious matter of circumcision also came up. But Bruh Paul paid them no heed, since they added nothing to him or his ministry. (Gal.2:1-6) In the end though common sense won out: ‘But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; For he that wrought effectually (worked effectively) in Peter to apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty (worked effectively) in me toward the Gentiles: And when James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen (Gentiles), and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward (eager) to do.’ (Gal.2:7-10) Oh Friends, yuh see the confusion that can be caused in Christ’s Church when pride and ego get the better of us. Although Bruh Paul was doing great work amongst the Gentiles, some of the Jerusalem elders still argued about circumcision for believers, as well as disputing his authority, possibly thinking that his status was inferior because he had not personally walked with Jesus, as some of them had. But you don’t have to actually walk with Jesus on earth to be granted His grace, else none of us today would have it. And it’s a sad commentary on Christ’s Church, that a lot of that petty nonsense and stupid bickering still goes on today, causing it to break up into even smaller divisions than we already have. Christ’s Church is supposed to be one whole, viable, spiritual body, not many small, contentious groups. Oh Friends, please remember Jesus’ wise words: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’ (Matt.12:25) So as true followers of Christ, let’s try and cut down the divisions nuh, and start rebuilding the connections for a healthy Church. That’s the only way it will survive against the enemy’s planned and vicious onslaught. More tomorrow on this subject, our God in favour. Till then, please walk safely with Him. Much LOVE!…divide and conquer…the enemy’s successful modus operandi against Christ’s Church…time to stop it…