Sep 4th

1 Samuel 28     Ezekiel 7     1 Corinthians 9     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

1 Corinthians 9 has a slightly presidential speech quality to it, one that by the end has you almost standing up applauding or wiping a tear from the corner of your eye. Paul is getting passionate and that translates to us when we read it.

The beginning of the scripture is aimed at correcting those speaking bad of him. Reminding them of what he justly has rights to and the fact that he hasn't taken what perhaps he deserves. It's the end of this passage that really gets me, where Paul begins to talk about self discipline and getting ourselves in good shape to run the race set out before us.

This year has been a year of amazing races, medals, joy and tears. But the Olympics is once every 4 years, what does a runner do when they get home from running a race? They train, they train and they train. They put the hard work in, they train themselves to make the right decisions while running a race. The more that comes from good habits and less that comes from choices mid race the better the sprint is. In this new academic year are there parts of our lives we want to train on, perhaps a new discipline. Perhaps the hard work now will mean a smoother run when the bumps of life come.

(lay member of staff)

Sep 3rd

1 Samuel 27     Ezekiel 6     1 Corinthians 8     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Does having the 'right' to do something mean we are right to do something?

Paul takes us through a scenario presented to a first century believer. Possessing the knowledge that fake idols, gods and lords, with small g's and i's, hold no power against the one true God. They no longer had to fear the eating of meat left as sacrifice to these idols. Paul is telling the reader that in terms of sin they are clear but that is not the end of his message. They have the 'right' to eat this meat but are they right to?

Paul gives us a clear instruction in verse 9 "be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak." The situation Paul is speaking into is one where the body of believers is undecided and wary of eating meats left to idols. Paul takes his opportunity, to address the theology of 'idol meat' but carries on to present a more passionate plea. That regardless of wrong and right our actions are determined not by what we are allowed to do, the rights we have but by the offence or blessing they may cause others.

Although today we are not dealing with the issue of 'idol meat' perhaps there is a still an amazing question we can ask. Just because I have the 'right' to do something, am I right to do it?

(lay member of staff)