We move a bit further into the third chapter of 1 Corinthians.
For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who give the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building. (1 Cor. 3:4-9)
Division happen over what may appear to be the smallest things. And yet, these small cracks within the life of any community can result in its ruin. The problems at Corinth are good for us to see because it shows that along with our history of having the Holy Spirit shape us and mold us and a people, there is also that power that divides. Today, the Church is arguing over all sorts of issues and all of them cause division of one sort or another. From differences in opinion over how building or ministry matters are handled to differences over how we interpret scripture as it relates to the life of the present community of Christ, we tend to thrive on our divisiveness. And yet, that is never true...we never can thrive over our divisiveness. We are called to be a community of reconciliation and a people who know of our differences and yet we are inspired and shaped by the one Lord of the Church. This is all easier said than done.
Connection: How do we stay within the tension between conflicting interests? How do we continue to lean on the everylasting arms of our God who promises new life and wholeness and healing even as we are experiencing our brokenness? This is something for us to prayerfully consider again and again.
Master of the Resurrection, as we face our faults and see no way to resolve our conflicts, be the power for life that brings among us the vision of your gracious Reign and leads us along that adventure for life that we cannot quite see - now. Amen.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Monday, May 30, 2005
31 May 2005
This week we move into chapter three of 1 Corinthians.
And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? (1 Cor. 3:1-3)
So Paul has been writing about how foolish the wisdom of God seems to be to those who are "unspiritual." As he now moves to write about what appears to be some divisions among the Corinthians, he backs up to acknowledge just how difficult it can be to take hold of this rich food called the gospel. The grace of God is something we often only can handle in story form - something that doesn't seem all that real - something that is off "over there" in another place or time. But we are invited to share in the life that comes with the Good News. We are invited to take this love of God in Christ, Jesus, and let it be the life of us. Paul experience within the realm of God's gracious action in Christ has enabled him to know that a life of graciousness can be a hard thing to swallow among us. It is much easier to keep focused on score keeping, comparisons, who's who...we all know that life. Paul will now bring to the Corinthians another level of community life that helps them move beyond what once was - life in the flesh (self-centered and self-concerned) - and into life in the Spirit (where the "community" life is a grand gift of the followers of Jesus).
Connection: Sometimes when the grace of God's Reign is heard, it sounds too free...too inclusive, and therefore limitless. To people who think we must pay a price, keep the group closed and not let the "word" reach out beyond our grasp in order to be good religious people, this unconditional love of God is always a bit confusing and strange. Keep looking into this strangeness.
Lord of the Banquet, you offer us the richest food of life, your boundless love. As we begin to feast upon this meal of new life, let it become our life and our loving. Amen.
And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? (1 Cor. 3:1-3)
So Paul has been writing about how foolish the wisdom of God seems to be to those who are "unspiritual." As he now moves to write about what appears to be some divisions among the Corinthians, he backs up to acknowledge just how difficult it can be to take hold of this rich food called the gospel. The grace of God is something we often only can handle in story form - something that doesn't seem all that real - something that is off "over there" in another place or time. But we are invited to share in the life that comes with the Good News. We are invited to take this love of God in Christ, Jesus, and let it be the life of us. Paul experience within the realm of God's gracious action in Christ has enabled him to know that a life of graciousness can be a hard thing to swallow among us. It is much easier to keep focused on score keeping, comparisons, who's who...we all know that life. Paul will now bring to the Corinthians another level of community life that helps them move beyond what once was - life in the flesh (self-centered and self-concerned) - and into life in the Spirit (where the "community" life is a grand gift of the followers of Jesus).
Connection: Sometimes when the grace of God's Reign is heard, it sounds too free...too inclusive, and therefore limitless. To people who think we must pay a price, keep the group closed and not let the "word" reach out beyond our grasp in order to be good religious people, this unconditional love of God is always a bit confusing and strange. Keep looking into this strangeness.
Lord of the Banquet, you offer us the richest food of life, your boundless love. As we begin to feast upon this meal of new life, let it become our life and our loving. Amen.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
27 May 2005
We bring ourselves to the end of chapter 2 or 1 Corinthians.
Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:14-16)
They don't receive them because they could care less about them...they don't want them. What good is mercy, kindness, reconciliation, graciousness and the like if it is not going to "get you someplace" in this world of ours. The gifts of God's Spirit is not the gift of national power or world power or religious power and therefore, they are foolishness. But then, the powers of the world like to pretend that they are gifted by God to do what they do in the way that they do it. No way! The way of the cross - the mind of Christ - is not something the powers of our day can discern. They see the life of the cross and they try to find another way that can sound like God talk but never comes close to the way of the cross. By the power of the Spirit of God we walk into this day assured that our God will teach us and lead us within the mind of Christ.
Connection: It is so important to breathe and take time to consider how contrary is the way of our God in Christ, Jesus, to that of the ways of the political and social powers of the day. Sometimes we need to be still, breathe, and look around with Jesus in mind.
You, O Life Giving Spirit, send us beyond our ways by opening up our eyes to see the gentle Reign of God as it comes to life around and and invites us to step within it borders. By you Power pull us alongside your gracious ways. Amen.
Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:14-16)
They don't receive them because they could care less about them...they don't want them. What good is mercy, kindness, reconciliation, graciousness and the like if it is not going to "get you someplace" in this world of ours. The gifts of God's Spirit is not the gift of national power or world power or religious power and therefore, they are foolishness. But then, the powers of the world like to pretend that they are gifted by God to do what they do in the way that they do it. No way! The way of the cross - the mind of Christ - is not something the powers of our day can discern. They see the life of the cross and they try to find another way that can sound like God talk but never comes close to the way of the cross. By the power of the Spirit of God we walk into this day assured that our God will teach us and lead us within the mind of Christ.
Connection: It is so important to breathe and take time to consider how contrary is the way of our God in Christ, Jesus, to that of the ways of the political and social powers of the day. Sometimes we need to be still, breathe, and look around with Jesus in mind.
You, O Life Giving Spirit, send us beyond our ways by opening up our eyes to see the gentle Reign of God as it comes to life around and and invites us to step within it borders. By you Power pull us alongside your gracious ways. Amen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
26 May 2005
We pick up at verse 11 in 1 Corinthians chapter 2.
For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. Now we have receive not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. (1 Cor. 2:11-13)
Let's be very clear that Paul is not talking about some "hocus pocus" that communicates something beyond what is real and everyday. The Spirit teaches us about the cross of Christ. The Spirit lets us in on the mystery of Christ and the life that is available for us now. We can figure out how humanity thinks and acts. We see examples of it everyday...and it is not always a wonderful thing to view...but we can count on humans knowing that kind of life. The Spirit takes us on a ride through a Reigning vision of new life that springs up among us by the power of God - the Good News. Yes, it will be a vision shaped by acts of kindness and humility that is often seen as being contrary to our ways of brashness and bravado that make people swoon but the disciples of Christ weep. The Spirit brings life - not make believe. The Spirit opens up our eye and ears to that life we cannot and will not see if left up to our own abilities.
Connection: As always, it takes more than me in the seclusion of my own life to come to see the life that the Spirit opens up for all of us. More and more, it is the dialogical power of community that sends us walking into the very depths of our humanity that is led by the Spirit of God.
Hold our hand, Spirit of New Life, and point us in the ways of God's wide open spaces of peace and hopefulness and joy. When we are left with nothing but our own ways, shake us up to behold the presence of your Reign and stir up our hearts as you have always promised you would. Amen.
For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. Now we have receive not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. (1 Cor. 2:11-13)
Let's be very clear that Paul is not talking about some "hocus pocus" that communicates something beyond what is real and everyday. The Spirit teaches us about the cross of Christ. The Spirit lets us in on the mystery of Christ and the life that is available for us now. We can figure out how humanity thinks and acts. We see examples of it everyday...and it is not always a wonderful thing to view...but we can count on humans knowing that kind of life. The Spirit takes us on a ride through a Reigning vision of new life that springs up among us by the power of God - the Good News. Yes, it will be a vision shaped by acts of kindness and humility that is often seen as being contrary to our ways of brashness and bravado that make people swoon but the disciples of Christ weep. The Spirit brings life - not make believe. The Spirit opens up our eye and ears to that life we cannot and will not see if left up to our own abilities.
Connection: As always, it takes more than me in the seclusion of my own life to come to see the life that the Spirit opens up for all of us. More and more, it is the dialogical power of community that sends us walking into the very depths of our humanity that is led by the Spirit of God.
Hold our hand, Spirit of New Life, and point us in the ways of God's wide open spaces of peace and hopefulness and joy. When we are left with nothing but our own ways, shake us up to behold the presence of your Reign and stir up our hearts as you have always promised you would. Amen.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
25 May 2005
Continuing with 1 Corinthians chapter two.
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) But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Cor.2:7-8)
Before anything was created...before age was age...there was the love of God that creates out of nothing. It is known among us. It is the foundation of how we live within the realm of God's power. It is also the power that the rulers of this age cannot allow to flourish because their power and their might - as they count power and might - would be dismantled and their rule would present itself in the image of God and not the image of the rulers of this world. Though many rulers try to pass themselves off as leading in the name of the God of Creation, just look at their actions - no peace - no justice - special interests that will not stoop to seek the welfare of all - mammon leading the decision of the day and trying to disguise its actions with religious language. Today, the powers - all of us - would still choose to drive those nails or flip the electrical switch in order to preserve what we have and who we want to be. Before the ages and even through this age, the crucified Lord still Reigns even when others claim to be in power.
Connection: Don't be fooled by sweet talking religious leaders who speak of values and morals but their discussion and action is limited to self-centered issues that will not touch the expanse of life that is called forth by Jesus.
O Ancient of Days, this is the day that you have made and we long for you to make us a bold witness to your gentle Reign. Teach us the wisdom of your ways. Amen.
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) But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Cor.2:7-8)
Before anything was created...before age was age...there was the love of God that creates out of nothing. It is known among us. It is the foundation of how we live within the realm of God's power. It is also the power that the rulers of this age cannot allow to flourish because their power and their might - as they count power and might - would be dismantled and their rule would present itself in the image of God and not the image of the rulers of this world. Though many rulers try to pass themselves off as leading in the name of the God of Creation, just look at their actions - no peace - no justice - special interests that will not stoop to seek the welfare of all - mammon leading the decision of the day and trying to disguise its actions with religious language. Today, the powers - all of us - would still choose to drive those nails or flip the electrical switch in order to preserve what we have and who we want to be. Before the ages and even through this age, the crucified Lord still Reigns even when others claim to be in power.
Connection: Don't be fooled by sweet talking religious leaders who speak of values and morals but their discussion and action is limited to self-centered issues that will not touch the expanse of life that is called forth by Jesus.
O Ancient of Days, this is the day that you have made and we long for you to make us a bold witness to your gentle Reign. Teach us the wisdom of your ways. Amen.
Monday, May 23, 2005
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.
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.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
23 May 2005
This week we move into chapter two of First Corinthians.
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. (1 Cor. 2:1-5)
Conditional love (the way the powers of this world try to love) takes a lot of energy and a lot of work...and...it never reaches the reality of love as we hear and see it in the story of Christ crucified. The mystery of God is that God is completely revealed within the weakness, fear, and trembling of our humanity. Here, right here in the make up of the community, God promises to bring the power of creation and liberation and renewal to all people. There will be no list of proposition to which we must agree. There will be no hoop through which we must jump in order to show that we fit into a correct pattern or method or rule. Paul brought a story of a love that could not be shut up...and therefore he did not shut up. This love - this mysterious love of God - becomes for us the whole foundation upon which we offer ourselves to one another. Within that simple story all his teaching will find its beginning and its eternal rest. In other words, God's action for us will be enough and not another piece is needed to make this news - Good.
Connection: Listen up to what is being said through the lines of religious babble all around us. The freedom and new life promised through Christ, Jesus, most often sounds full of conditions and limits and promises that really only give us what we want - nothing new. Unfortunately, the language of condition is a beloved language to people who cannot trust what God hands over to us in Christ.
Lord Whose Love Stretches Beyond Our Sight, we are so content to live within the bounds of our limited lives. Stretch us and anoint us with your promises so that we will not fear that love you shower upon us in Jesus' name. Amen.
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. (1 Cor. 2:1-5)
Conditional love (the way the powers of this world try to love) takes a lot of energy and a lot of work...and...it never reaches the reality of love as we hear and see it in the story of Christ crucified. The mystery of God is that God is completely revealed within the weakness, fear, and trembling of our humanity. Here, right here in the make up of the community, God promises to bring the power of creation and liberation and renewal to all people. There will be no list of proposition to which we must agree. There will be no hoop through which we must jump in order to show that we fit into a correct pattern or method or rule. Paul brought a story of a love that could not be shut up...and therefore he did not shut up. This love - this mysterious love of God - becomes for us the whole foundation upon which we offer ourselves to one another. Within that simple story all his teaching will find its beginning and its eternal rest. In other words, God's action for us will be enough and not another piece is needed to make this news - Good.
Connection: Listen up to what is being said through the lines of religious babble all around us. The freedom and new life promised through Christ, Jesus, most often sounds full of conditions and limits and promises that really only give us what we want - nothing new. Unfortunately, the language of condition is a beloved language to people who cannot trust what God hands over to us in Christ.
Lord Whose Love Stretches Beyond Our Sight, we are so content to live within the bounds of our limited lives. Stretch us and anoint us with your promises so that we will not fear that love you shower upon us in Jesus' name. Amen.
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