Burn-a-Koran Evangelism Program

Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

Paul starts the chapter by asking the great rhetorical question,

"Am I not free?"

In the "western world" (including Australia and the USA), we are immersed in a culture of freedom, and exercising our individual rights to do what we want. Paul has a different view (v. 15):

"But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision."

Why doesn't Paul exercise his rights? For the gospel!

Please read again 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

To the Jews, Paul became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.

How might we apply this passage to guide us in winning Muslims for Christ? I think it's a pretty simple exegesis: "To the Muslims, we should become as a Muslin, in order to win Muslims."

Afraid this may compromise your faith? Never! Paul never compromised his faith in Christ in any way to become "as a Jew" or "as one outside the law"; he simply adapted his behaviour - and diet - so as not to offend those people. Why would we ever put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ? Why would we ever allow ourselves to be that obstacle.

So let's turn now to the recent actions of some obscure preacher in Florida, USA. He attained international notoriety with his on-again-off-again plans to burn a whole pile of copies of the Koran, Islam's holy book. What was he thinking? What would any Christian be thinking that supports this?

Burning the Koran will win Muslims to Christ as quickly as using the Talmud as toilet-paper will win the Jews or barbequing beef-steaks on the lawns of the Taj Mahal will win the Hindus. In fact, even after the Koran-burning was cancelled, protesters in Afghanistan were still shouting "Death to America" and "Death to Christians" (Source).

Let's become all things to all people that by all means we might save some. And if we are wronged, and our Bible and our flag are burned, let's turn the other cheek, and continue in love.

Stinking, Rotten Meat

Read:Colossians 2:18-19

Are you impressed when people deny themselves food, drink or comforts in the name of spiritual growth? Some people are, obviously. Is God impressed? I think perhaps, not.

These people are happy to go on at length about their spiritual experiences with angels, visions, voices, messages, words and tongues - and probably many more things I've forgotten, or not yet heard of. These people make their own experience and "faith" the new standard, and come down on others that don't measure up. They will try to disqualify you. They insist that unless you do [fill in the blank for the crazy things they do] you're not a real Christian.

Don't be deceived: these are not Super-Christians. They're just full of themselves. That's what "puffed up without reason" means: they're full of themselves. They're certainly not full of Christ, anyway. They're disconnected from Christ, who is the head of the body: the church. Body parts that are disconnected from the head aren't really part of the body at all. They die, rapidly. Soon, they begin to smell.

Don't let the stinking, rotten meat within Christ's body convince you that your simple faith and simple worship are not good enough for God.