The Plumbline

I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common. (I Corinthians 1:10 MSG) When God has a 'bone to pick' with us, he certainly doesn't mince words, does he? Here we find the believers in Corinth at each other's throats, comparing what Paul, Apollos, and even the Messiah himself had taught or were presently teaching. They were 'taking sides' - in other words, there was division in the church even from the start! Imagine that - division amongst God's chosen - now how could that have happened? Pride, jealousy, misunderstanding, and even gossip could have been at the core of this division - we just don't know the specifics, but we do know God wanted it to stop. Learning to live in unity as believers is sometimes a bit of a challenge because we all come into thi...

Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. (I Corinthians 1:7-9 MSG) Some people make grocery lists, ensuring that items needed for the week's meals are purchased when an order is placed online or they visit their local grocer. Others 'wing it', hoping for the best and then wonder why they are missing that one key ingredient that would have made the meal 'perfect'. Those who know and serve Christ might think they can 'wing it' a bit in this walk, hoping for the best in their spiritual growth. The truth is that we have been given ALL we need...