Today we end the week with a bit from the fourth chapter of 1 Corinthians.
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite apart from us you have become kings. Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we might be kings with you. (1 Cor. 4:8)
In the next verses, it will be come clear that Paul and his companions in the spreading of the gospel are anything but kings. In fact, they are intensely persecuted. To the Corinthians though, there was this notion that the complete Reign of God was present and complete. And yet, as their teacher will help them see, the road of the followers of Jesus is along a road in a world that does not take to this Jesus life. Yes, there may be quite a bit of enthusiasm at the beginning of the journey into the land of grace, but this land is an alien place and that makes the Corinthians and us - aliens no matter where we might be. It almost seems strange today to see the Church of Christ so intertwined with the powers of the world...almost to the extent that Christians simply assume that governments should bow down and do whatever we would like. In some ways, I think Paul would look at what many of us are doing today and simply laugh - or cry. Rather than be the suffering servants of all, we have tried to put ourselves in the company of the worlds kings and queens and rulers.
Connection: Always...we serve and we return to the Christ who is our way and our life. That means that as we recipients of grace we are also the vehicle of grace to the world around us. It is as we are on that road that we may face something other than praise.
Lord of the Resurrection, we long to live within your glory and yet we still must trod along the way of your Beloved. It is a road that will take us more deeply into the blessedness of service to others and care for the world. Grand us the strength to move in that way and the vision to keep our eyes on the glory that comes within our service and our loving. Amen.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Wednesday, June 8, 2005
9 June 2005
Today we continue in 1 Corinthians, chapter four.
I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers and sisters, so that you may learn through us the meaning of the saying, "Nothing beyond what is written," so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? (1 Cor. 4:6-7)
We always go back to the water. For me, infant baptism is one strong image for a community that does not know anything but the gift. From the water where the power of the love of God soaks us for life, there is no other status and no other story that can be used by one person or group against another. The water is the language of the gift and we have all been to the water and we have all left the font as gifted children of God. It does not matter who led us to the water or who poured the water over us or dipped us beneath its surface. The only thing that matters is what God does to us and with us. Therefore, we are free from the games people try to play with every source of power the world knows. There is no us or them...there is no one side standing closer to God. We are a gifted people and all we can do is point to our God and say, "Wow, what a way to start the day and face whatever will be among us."
Connection: A gift has been given to you. According to this gift, you have had life handed to you in an abundant fashion and it continues to be the power that will sustain you and shape you. No one can take that from you or claim a greater power.
Presiding Lord of Life, all we can do in your presence is give you thanks. Let our thanksgiving be in the shape of our lives wholly responding to your gracious love. Amen.
I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers and sisters, so that you may learn through us the meaning of the saying, "Nothing beyond what is written," so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? (1 Cor. 4:6-7)
We always go back to the water. For me, infant baptism is one strong image for a community that does not know anything but the gift. From the water where the power of the love of God soaks us for life, there is no other status and no other story that can be used by one person or group against another. The water is the language of the gift and we have all been to the water and we have all left the font as gifted children of God. It does not matter who led us to the water or who poured the water over us or dipped us beneath its surface. The only thing that matters is what God does to us and with us. Therefore, we are free from the games people try to play with every source of power the world knows. There is no us or them...there is no one side standing closer to God. We are a gifted people and all we can do is point to our God and say, "Wow, what a way to start the day and face whatever will be among us."
Connection: A gift has been given to you. According to this gift, you have had life handed to you in an abundant fashion and it continues to be the power that will sustain you and shape you. No one can take that from you or claim a greater power.
Presiding Lord of Life, all we can do in your presence is give you thanks. Let our thanksgiving be in the shape of our lives wholly responding to your gracious love. Amen.
Monday, June 6, 2005
8 June 2005
Including the piece from 1 Corinthians 4 from yesterday, we press on.
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. (I Cor. 4:1)
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purpose of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God. (1 Cor. 4:2-5)
As stewards of the Reign of God - the good news in all its gracious glory - we are to be trustworthy in regard to the good news. Nothing else but the grace of God as we hear it in the story of the life, death, and resurrection is placed in our care. That is a singular task that is a gift and a great responsibility. In many ways, we are to be great defenders and caretakers of the vision of the Reign of God within the everyday dynamics of life as it is presented to us in every time and place. This is a responsibility that does not settle for the way things are. We are always called into the same position as we have held previous to this time - be faithful stewards of the good news...let the light of the gospel shine no matter what the darkness of the day tries to do with us or to us. Therefore, we look to one another to be stewards of this gift of life...to let it shine...because we cannot trust ourselves to do that. We will always fall short. We need the light of the gospel that moves through the prism of the community to bring depth and color to our life.
Connection: We always want to know who is right and what is the right way. Well, time will tell. And time will tell if the mysteries of God really do shine through time and bring new life. What appears to be a "right way" now may be quite empty in regard to being a witness to the grace of God.
How wonderful it is, O God, that you entrust us with the life of your Reign. As we go out into this day, let your light of the new life that comes in Christ, Jesus, be our guide and our wisdom as we attempt to discern your will among your faithful people. Amen.
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. (I Cor. 4:1)
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purpose of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God. (1 Cor. 4:2-5)
As stewards of the Reign of God - the good news in all its gracious glory - we are to be trustworthy in regard to the good news. Nothing else but the grace of God as we hear it in the story of the life, death, and resurrection is placed in our care. That is a singular task that is a gift and a great responsibility. In many ways, we are to be great defenders and caretakers of the vision of the Reign of God within the everyday dynamics of life as it is presented to us in every time and place. This is a responsibility that does not settle for the way things are. We are always called into the same position as we have held previous to this time - be faithful stewards of the good news...let the light of the gospel shine no matter what the darkness of the day tries to do with us or to us. Therefore, we look to one another to be stewards of this gift of life...to let it shine...because we cannot trust ourselves to do that. We will always fall short. We need the light of the gospel that moves through the prism of the community to bring depth and color to our life.
Connection: We always want to know who is right and what is the right way. Well, time will tell. And time will tell if the mysteries of God really do shine through time and bring new life. What appears to be a "right way" now may be quite empty in regard to being a witness to the grace of God.
How wonderful it is, O God, that you entrust us with the life of your Reign. As we go out into this day, let your light of the new life that comes in Christ, Jesus, be our guide and our wisdom as we attempt to discern your will among your faithful people. Amen.
7 June 2005
Today we move into chapter four of 1 Corinthians.
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. (I Cor. 4:1)
Like any mystery things may not always be just as they appear. The Reign of God and the life that is brought forth by the Holy Spirit as that Reign begins to emerge in our lives is always beyond our grasp. I always find this to be quite like the grace of God. We have images of it. We say it is the source of our life in Christ. We know that it is how God acts towards God's people. Having said that, grace seems to always be cut short by our interpretation of what it means. We have an expansive vision but...then there is reality and we don't usually like to go beyond what we see as our reality of choice. Therefore, it is essential for us to be open to how the whole body of Christ interprets what it is to be servants of Christ and to be very frank about how God's way to lead us into the future is indeed a mystery compared to how I would tend to enter that journey. The love and grace of God is always beyond our comprehension and we me be those people who keep it just like that...beyond us...calling us...shaping us...but never completely the same as how we would interpret what it is to be servants.
Connection: What can we learn about the mysteries of God's grace from one another? Most often, it is the power that pulls me into life outside of my reality...a power to love when I have no ability to love anymore.
Come Holy Spirit and deliver us into the land of grace where forgiveness blossoms and love is able to transform us. Help us to be thrilled and not frightened by the surprises in life that nudge us into a more gracious way to see and be in the world. Amen.
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. (I Cor. 4:1)
Like any mystery things may not always be just as they appear. The Reign of God and the life that is brought forth by the Holy Spirit as that Reign begins to emerge in our lives is always beyond our grasp. I always find this to be quite like the grace of God. We have images of it. We say it is the source of our life in Christ. We know that it is how God acts towards God's people. Having said that, grace seems to always be cut short by our interpretation of what it means. We have an expansive vision but...then there is reality and we don't usually like to go beyond what we see as our reality of choice. Therefore, it is essential for us to be open to how the whole body of Christ interprets what it is to be servants of Christ and to be very frank about how God's way to lead us into the future is indeed a mystery compared to how I would tend to enter that journey. The love and grace of God is always beyond our comprehension and we me be those people who keep it just like that...beyond us...calling us...shaping us...but never completely the same as how we would interpret what it is to be servants.
Connection: What can we learn about the mysteries of God's grace from one another? Most often, it is the power that pulls me into life outside of my reality...a power to love when I have no ability to love anymore.
Come Holy Spirit and deliver us into the land of grace where forgiveness blossoms and love is able to transform us. Help us to be thrilled and not frightened by the surprises in life that nudge us into a more gracious way to see and be in the world. Amen.
Friday, June 3, 2005
6 June 2005
1 Corinthians chapter 3 is still on the table.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy and you are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God... So let no one boast about human leaders. for all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (1 Cor. 3:18-19, 21-23)
Begin with the understanding that the "you" in "you are God's temple" is the "you" as in "all y'all". It is a community term. The temple is no longer that geographic place in Jerusalem...it is no longer a building restored and rebuilt several time and now for some a place that needs to be rebuilt again. Rather, the temple is the people. The holy site...the dwelling place of God...the manifestation of grace and glory here in the midst of ordinary people is...the ordinary people...who come together on this gracious foundation that is Christ, Jesus. This is a wonderful way to remind each of us that no one can claim to be the source of all wisdom. In fact, that is quite a contrary notion within the Reign of God in Christ. From the community, the temple, each stone is considered an important part of the making of the whole. The community of Christ counts on each of us to bring our gifts to play into the building of the life of promise that is always pulling us into God's future. By using the various names of leaders in Corinth, we find that Paul is pressing the Corinthians - and us - to consider the wealth of wisdom that is the whole body. No one person is given credit for the life we have together. Rather it is Christ, who is our body, our wisdom, and the life into which we can walk together.
Connection: Share you gifts and expect that others have them also. Knowing that, there is much that will be brought to the life of the community. That in itself is a miracle - that we would honor the wealth of gifts that come from the many of us who are now called one body.
Builder of the People of God, we give you thanks for the opportunity we are given to see how gracious you are as we look around and are witnesses to the way your gifts are scattered among us so that we might be drawn to one another rather than separate from one another. Continue to help us see the worth of those other than ourselves. Amen.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy and you are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God... So let no one boast about human leaders. for all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (1 Cor. 3:18-19, 21-23)
Begin with the understanding that the "you" in "you are God's temple" is the "you" as in "all y'all". It is a community term. The temple is no longer that geographic place in Jerusalem...it is no longer a building restored and rebuilt several time and now for some a place that needs to be rebuilt again. Rather, the temple is the people. The holy site...the dwelling place of God...the manifestation of grace and glory here in the midst of ordinary people is...the ordinary people...who come together on this gracious foundation that is Christ, Jesus. This is a wonderful way to remind each of us that no one can claim to be the source of all wisdom. In fact, that is quite a contrary notion within the Reign of God in Christ. From the community, the temple, each stone is considered an important part of the making of the whole. The community of Christ counts on each of us to bring our gifts to play into the building of the life of promise that is always pulling us into God's future. By using the various names of leaders in Corinth, we find that Paul is pressing the Corinthians - and us - to consider the wealth of wisdom that is the whole body. No one person is given credit for the life we have together. Rather it is Christ, who is our body, our wisdom, and the life into which we can walk together.
Connection: Share you gifts and expect that others have them also. Knowing that, there is much that will be brought to the life of the community. That in itself is a miracle - that we would honor the wealth of gifts that come from the many of us who are now called one body.
Builder of the People of God, we give you thanks for the opportunity we are given to see how gracious you are as we look around and are witnesses to the way your gifts are scattered among us so that we might be drawn to one another rather than separate from one another. Continue to help us see the worth of those other than ourselves. Amen.
Thursday, June 2, 2005
3 June 2005
We will end the week in chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:10-11). Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Cor. 3:12-15)
It is important to note that the builder suffers loss and yet...the builder will be saved. It is also important to note that it doesn't matter what is used in the building...the builder will suffer loss. Fire has a way of reducing to nothing that which is not able to reflect the life of the foundation. As soon as I read this piece I couldn't help but think of Jesus pointing out the fine work and precious stones of the Temple and that even this fine work would one day be reduced to not one stone on another. Then, in that same section of the gospel there is the woman who drops mere coins - all that she has - into the treasury. Two very different builders - two very different structures...and yet one foundation of grace. There is that need for us to experience the fire that brings our grand ideas of life into line with the foundation upon which we are given life.
Connection: There are many ways that we go along our merry ways and think that the way we are moving is the way everyone should go. But unless we have a community of people who feel free to draw one another into question and offer suggestions and nudge us to look again at what we are building in our lives (all of this can be called prayer), we will continue on our way and miss the blessedness of new life that is always ours in Christ, Jesus.
Lord, you build the community of your disciples and we are in constant need of you Spirit of truthfulness and grace so that we can work with one another as we come to learn the depths of your love and the shape of the life you offer us. Amen.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:10-11). Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Cor. 3:12-15)
It is important to note that the builder suffers loss and yet...the builder will be saved. It is also important to note that it doesn't matter what is used in the building...the builder will suffer loss. Fire has a way of reducing to nothing that which is not able to reflect the life of the foundation. As soon as I read this piece I couldn't help but think of Jesus pointing out the fine work and precious stones of the Temple and that even this fine work would one day be reduced to not one stone on another. Then, in that same section of the gospel there is the woman who drops mere coins - all that she has - into the treasury. Two very different builders - two very different structures...and yet one foundation of grace. There is that need for us to experience the fire that brings our grand ideas of life into line with the foundation upon which we are given life.
Connection: There are many ways that we go along our merry ways and think that the way we are moving is the way everyone should go. But unless we have a community of people who feel free to draw one another into question and offer suggestions and nudge us to look again at what we are building in our lives (all of this can be called prayer), we will continue on our way and miss the blessedness of new life that is always ours in Christ, Jesus.
Lord, you build the community of your disciples and we are in constant need of you Spirit of truthfulness and grace so that we can work with one another as we come to learn the depths of your love and the shape of the life you offer us. Amen.
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
2 June 2005
Onward with division and the work of the church in 1 Corinthians.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:10-11).
I will include this section again along with the following verses in tomorrow's devotion.
The foundation forms the future of what will be. We are given the opportunity to raise up lives that bring attention to the foundation upon which the life of the community of Christ is built. Therefore, the character of the building - the community and each of its members - must always return to the foundation in order to align ourselves with the grace that abounds from that source - Christ, Jesus. The beautiful notion of building on a foundation of grace is that we are not fixed into one pattern like a kit that will allow you to build something just one way. Rather, the community of Christ can and must build itself up within its abilities and skills and gifts. This means that even as we have a common foundation, the community in which Jesus is lifted up as Lord may look different in its very structure and presentation but its "being" is shaped by and secured in place by the grace of God that makes all things begin and brings all things to an end.
Connection: There is too much fighting over how different we are in the church. It is as though we do not care about the abundant grace of God and the freedom of life it brings. It is as though we expect that everyone will be the same...have the same kind of lives...live in the same manner as others. In reality, this demand for conformity is usually not based on the Good News, it is based on the values of one set of people in one time. Have you ever noticed that people mandating a set of "Christian Values" for everyone...rarely have a view of everyone. Instead it is usually simply a view of themselves and how they would have the world be.
Keep us anchored in your grace, O Lord of Love, so that as we find ourselves confused by the winds of the day we can return to you, our rock and our foundation, for a new way to face all that comes and goes around us. Amen.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:10-11).
I will include this section again along with the following verses in tomorrow's devotion.
The foundation forms the future of what will be. We are given the opportunity to raise up lives that bring attention to the foundation upon which the life of the community of Christ is built. Therefore, the character of the building - the community and each of its members - must always return to the foundation in order to align ourselves with the grace that abounds from that source - Christ, Jesus. The beautiful notion of building on a foundation of grace is that we are not fixed into one pattern like a kit that will allow you to build something just one way. Rather, the community of Christ can and must build itself up within its abilities and skills and gifts. This means that even as we have a common foundation, the community in which Jesus is lifted up as Lord may look different in its very structure and presentation but its "being" is shaped by and secured in place by the grace of God that makes all things begin and brings all things to an end.
Connection: There is too much fighting over how different we are in the church. It is as though we do not care about the abundant grace of God and the freedom of life it brings. It is as though we expect that everyone will be the same...have the same kind of lives...live in the same manner as others. In reality, this demand for conformity is usually not based on the Good News, it is based on the values of one set of people in one time. Have you ever noticed that people mandating a set of "Christian Values" for everyone...rarely have a view of everyone. Instead it is usually simply a view of themselves and how they would have the world be.
Keep us anchored in your grace, O Lord of Love, so that as we find ourselves confused by the winds of the day we can return to you, our rock and our foundation, for a new way to face all that comes and goes around us. Amen.
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