We Live in Such a Way

One of the methods I use to meditate on a passage is to act it out so I can get a feel for what the people were experiencing; I can imagine what they saw, smelled, tasted, touched and heard. I also try different inflections for the words. For example, say the words from John 7.31 like you'd imagine a Jewish butcher saying the rhetorical question--"When the Messiah comes, is he going to perform any more miracles than this yunger-man, this mentsch?" (paraphrase obviously).

Another method is to emphasize different words. Let's take 2 Corinthians 6.3. Just before this, Paul begs the readers not to ignore God's gift of Christ's sacrifice so that we can be right with Him. Today is the day of salvation.

"We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry" (2 Cor. 6.3 NLT). It's similar to Romans 14.13. Since as believers we are called also to be ministers of Christ, let's look closer at the verse to see if we can pull out different applications for our own lives today.

"We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry." It's our responsibility.

"We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry." We can't hide in seclusion; that wouldn't be living by most cultures' definitions.

"We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry." What complaints do people have about you? Do you not listen? Are you apathetic? Are you irritable? Impatient? What other aspects of your life are like the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit?

"We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry." This includes everyone we come in contact with, including those on social media venues. And those who have heard about us from other people. It especially includes other believers. Here is the toughest group: your spouse, your kids, your parents, your boss, your co-workers, your grumpy old neighbor, your disrespectful young neighbor, your bus mates, your car pool buddies--in short, everyone in close, close contact with you.

"We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry." Christ's reputation is in our hands as His ambassadors. We can block people from understanding who He is and the gift of grace and mercy if we're not living in a gracious and merciful manner. We can lead people astray thinking it's okay to ignore our "respectable sins" (Jerry Bridge's book) because they see us doing it.

Think about these different aspects and you've done some meditation on a verse. Let it seep into your being throughout the day. Then you've fulfilled the command of Deuteronomy 6.6. It will be as if it's written on your hands, forehead and doorposts. You'll see it in your heart wherever you go.

Blessings on you.