In The Driver's Seat!

Driving a vehicle is an awesome responsibility because it is like driving a missile down the road. The lives of those in the vehicle are literally at the mercy of the one doing the driving. Therefore, without due care, lives could be at stake. Through the years I have noticed a number of campaigns with the goal of bringing about a mindfulness among drivers that would potentially make our highways safer. I remember the “Drive Legally!” signs. However, isn’t it possible to “drive legally” without exercising caution? This campaign was followed by one urging to “Drive Defensively!”, behind which was the focus BEYOND SELF to a watchfulness of what other drivers were doing and the potential hazards that could arise. Then there was the encouragement to “Drive Carefully” which might take into consideration the observance of the law and what others might be doing. Though it has been promoted for a few years now, the most recent re-emphasis has been to “Drive Friendly!” The focus through this campaign has been toward eliminating incidents of the “road rage” that has become far to common on congested roadways.

Just like on the streets and highways where we live the focus must be BEYOND SELF to others who are sharing the space, so must we be mindful of this with regard to life in general, including within the church. However, as we do so, just as one could drive legally without necessarily driving cautiously, the same could happen as our life intersects with the lives of others.

In his first letter to the church at Corinth Paul stated. . .
“(23) ‘All things are lawful,’ but NOT ALL THINGS ARE HELPFUL. ‘All things are lawful,’ but NOT ALL THINGS BUILD UP. (24) Let no one SEEK his own good, but THE GOOD OF HIS NEIGHBOR.” ( 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 ESV)

The specific context of which Paul was dealing related to the eating of meat sacrificed to idols and a difference of where people were in their knowledge. With regard to this issue it was possible for someone to do what was right, but be wrong in the doing if they had not given consideration to another. ( 1 Corinthians 10:25-30) There are other situations we may find ourselves in where this principle of taking a look BEYOND OURSELVES will also serve to make our actions HELPFUL FOR BUILDING UP rather than creating an offense. This may require us to do the loving thing of forgoing something that may be just fine in order to build a bridge rather than a wall between us and another. In our interaction with others we need to recognize when we are the one in the “driver’s seat” to steer things in a direction that brings the greatest God glorifying (i.e. 1 Corinthians 10:31) benefit.

Down a few verses Paul drew attention to the example of his own life.
“(33) just AS I TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED.” ( 1 Corinthians 10:33 ESV)

There were rights Paul could have exercised which he was willing to set aside if he saw they might distract from reaching out to others. It was not that he set the truth aside -- his letters make it clear he would not sway from the truth -- but that he set aside personal advantages and rights for the sake of bringing the hope of salvation to others. That was much more important to Paul than any personal right he may have possessed. May we also share that focus by recognizing in our own interaction with others what is of the utmost importance in contributing to creating bridges that will either draw toward or strengthen relationships to Christ for the sake of the soul of others.

Have a great day WITH LOVING CARE STEERING OTHERS TOWARD JESUS!
Carl

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