24 May 2005

Due to problems of sending the devotions by e-mail last week please note that those devotions are posted on our website - www.RedeemerLuth.com
We continue with the second chapter of First Corinthians.

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. (1 Cor. 2:6)

I really intended in going much more into the text than one verse but so much is laid at our feet. We live in a time when a number of religious people appear to be siding with the specific powers of the day. Let me say that this is a comment about segments of all religious peoples. In the case of Christians - especially Christians in this country as this is where I live - we seem to be living within a time when religious communities are openly blessing and anointing the direction and the policies of our government as though God has made a decree that certain policies and people within our government are divinely inspired. Whenever religious people put that kind of a stamp of approval on the actions and words of any government, the time at hand is a dangerous one for all of us. The way of the cross of Jesus is never the way that a government would choose to move. In fact, this cross-shaped wisdom of God and the life that springs from such self-sacrificing love will never rise to power in any country. That makes me wonder what word is leading some religious leaders in our country to walk hand in hand with and then simultaneously bless one group of politicians over another. When I look around, these leaders are not being led by a call to love all people or even a call to simply want justice for all or peace to prevail among us.

Connection: Simply ask, "Who will benefit by this action?" We are not called to ask, "How will I benefit by this action?" We are always invited to ask the "We" question with the "We" being the whole body of God's people without limits.

Be glorified, O God Most High. Be glorified within the ongoing incarnation of your wisdom as the cross of your Beloved continues to be the way of life that questions all life with the vision of your gracious Reign. Amen.