God's Way vs Our Way

 1 Corinthians                    Psalm 64            

 Today because I was preaching from 1 Corinthians 6 I decided to read the full letter to make sure I was looking at it in context. The main text I was looking at came from 6:12 in the lectionary reading for today. Being reminded that because something is lawful, whether it is in the laws of the land or God, doesn’t mean that we should do something. As I read through this letter today, I noticed the early church really delt with the same challenges we face today.

 The whole letter is filled with the conflict between those that want their own way and those that are working to understand and lead in the ways of God. Sometimes it is hard to tell them apart. As individuals and as groups we want to have the power to control. The ability to love, putting someone else above ourselves, is one of the greatest challenges we face. That is the challenge of Jesus to us.

 Reading through Psalm 64 I am reminded how often David felt under attack and at times his very life in danger. Asking God to protect him, hide him from the enemy even though they work so hard to plot to destroy him. In the end he reminds us that that those that pursue the ways of God will be glad in the Lord and have refuge in Him. The upright in heart will glory the Lord.

 How often do we think what we are going through is new? Only to turn to the Word and find out that the struggle is as old as human beings have roamed the earth. We want our way to be the right way and often work to shape God, including as shown to us in Jesus, in the image we want to be right. The righteous way will always be God’s way and should be our goal.