Daily Butter1/21: Family Matters

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (1/21/12):

 

But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer* who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person.

(1 Corinthians 5:11 HCSB)

 

Paul’s clarification here of an earlier instruction (v9) is a key distinction. To disassociate from every single person with any of the listed traits is inconsistent with our call to be the light of the world (Matt 5:14-16) and our task to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20) since it clearly contradicts His words highlighted yesterday the He came to call sinners. Like yesterday, I found the translator’s footnote (at the star above) meaningful that it was “Lit[erally] anyone named a brother.” Those who claim to have been made a new creation through Christ cannot REALLY tolerate such filth. This is a cancer and needs removed. Just remember you get measured by the same ruler you use.

 

- Andy Jentes

Daily Butter 1/20: Pick Me

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (1/20/12):

 

Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.

(Matthew 9:13 HCSB)

 

What struck me afresh from this verse is not so much what it says but what it doesn’t say. So often I have heard this quoted, as David C. McCasland did in today’s ODB from the King James or New King James Version that to see the verse end this way seemed odd yet enlightening (though to be fair the Holman Christian Standard Bible translators did in include the footnote at the end of this verse that “Other mss add to repentance”). I looked a several other modern translations I trust (NASB, NIV, and NLT namely) only to see that those translators also chose not to include the mention of repentance at the end.

 

In conjunction with my commitment to read through the Bible with those from my home church (see also my post 2012 Plan) where we are finishing up Genesis, this verse served only to highlight something He has been teaching me: God chooses broken people because that’s His choice. He’s God and does not need to justify His choice according to human wisdom. Quite often I wind up scratching my head wondering shy He would choose such people as “His chosen people,” but then I look in the mirror and praise Him that he chooses unworthy people.

 

- Andy Jentes

2012 plan

I mentioned that I was taking the challenge with my brothers and sisters at First Baptist Gallatin to progress through the Bible in 2012. We are using READER'S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE - Chronological Reading Plan which has already proven a great tool. Not only does the chronological progression and notes from Dr. George H. Guthrie provide fresh insights, the schedule has been much kinder as it follows the model given to us in creation: six days per week with the seventh off. Being a 21st Century American who has jam packed days, I fear this is less often a day of rest than one of catching up on the things undone. This has proved helpful in keeping up so far, so if all holds to this pattern I will likely resume ODB readings & MDB writings by the beginning of February.