I Corinthians

9:19-23:
"For though I be free from all men, yet I have made myself a servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without the law (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all tings to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you."

10:30-33:
"For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that which I give thanks? Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God: even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved."

When Paul speaks of becoming (or being made) "all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" he is obviously not speaking of breaking any of God's laws, nor of doing anything against his own conscience. When Paul says "all things' in chapter 9 he means "all things" that "profit many, that they might be saved" (chapter 10). It will not save or profit anyone for Paul to disobey "Christ's law". It is for the believers to "judge all things" (2:15) in order to decide what course of action will be beneficial to the individual lost.


On a side note: I thought of using not getting a tattoo as an example of not disobeying Christ's law; but I couldn't remember the particular verse. So I googled it, and came up with for and against arguments that all seemed very convincing (I hate that I am easily swayed!); so I decided to go for an opinion from some Pastor that I really trusted. I went to John MacArthur; couldn't find anything for or against. So I went to John Piper: he says it can be fine so long as your motives and heart are right before God; so long as it is not a means of finding fulfillment apart from God; and that individuals must decide for themselves. I am not quite sure that I can digest that just yet, it goes against everything I have always believed. Anyway, just found that interesting (and unsettling!).

Romans

Verse memorised from this book:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: "the just shall live by faith." 1:16-17

Favourite portion:

Therefore, you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. For we know that the judgement of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think that you will escape the judgement of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
2:1-4

By Searching

This is that latest book that I have completed. It is a warm, honest account of how Isobel came to believe in God and be sanctified by Him, by searching.

Isobel was raised in a Christian home that was not entirely on the straight and narrow. Her parents taught her the things that she should do and believe in, but did not give her Christ Himself. She became an antagonist at university. While still at university she met and fell in love with an ex-WWI soldier and became engaged to him. A good friend of Isobel's came to her one day to inform her that Ben was dating another girl behind Isobel's back. She was shattered. She confronted Ben about it and his response was: "Isobel, you're a softy. You don't suppose, do you, that after we are married, I'm not going to take other women out sometimes?" "Then we part," Isobel replied.

She was grief stricken, especially because she had given him her whole heart. Her father had warned her to give her heart entirely only after marriage, but she had refused to listen to him, and now reeled with agony. After some time, she decided on suicide. But the thought of her father's grief stopped her from doing so. She sat down on her bed and prayed that if there really was a God that he would send her peace. She was filled with peace immediately, and slept that night for the first time in many weeks.

After that day, Isobel continued searching. She was sanctified and taught by the Spirit (often through godly Christian's, and His Word). She went to Bible college after she graduated from university (as a teacher), only being able to afford to be there through rich gifts (unasked of humans, only asked of God) and a lot of hard work as a waitress (sometimes with the promise of pay unfulfilled by employers). She met John Kuhn at Bible college and after both their graduations became engaged to him. He went to China first to preach to the Lisu tribe, she followed about six months after, doing missionary work at home with working girls, as part of the Vancouver Girls Corner Club. The Kuhn's were missionaries to the Lisu's for 35 years. They had two children, Kathryn and Daniel. Isobel died in 1957 from cancer at the age of 55.