1 Corinthians 8  

Scripture - "When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ."  1 Corinthians 8:12

Observation -  This reminds me of Matthew 25 where it Jesus says, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me."  In Matthew it was more of a positive sense, talking about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, but the same would hold true if one does something bad (hurt) on of Christ's brothers or sisters...you've done it to him. 

Application - In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul is not talking so much about physically hurting a friend, but causing a friend to stumble in his/her faith journey because of something we've done.  In fact, he would probably see this as an even greater "sin" than physical harm, because it has eternal consequences.  We should expand the concept of friend when considering this verse, to include all those to whom Jesus would like to be his friend.  This would mean pretty much everything.  Are there things in our understanding of Christian freedom (especially) that could possibly cause someone to stumble or even be an obstacle to his or her coming to know Jesus to begin with.  Are there things in our personal life that might be viewed as "do as I say, not as I do"...are there things in how we "do church" that keep people from entering, staying and connecting with Christ?

Prayer - Dear God, you desire for us all to be your friends, and your friends are to be our friends.  Forgive us, Lord, for those times that we have "hurt" you by hurting your (and our) friends.  Help us be sensitive, not just to our own need, but to the needs of others.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.