Faith and paradox go hand in hand. How can we be saint and sinner at the same time or free slaves? How can we be so individual that every hair on our head is numbered, and yet be so corporate as the body of Christ? When you start with the unsearchable riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God, as Paul does in Romans 11:33, then paradox is not a problem. Why I am a Lutheran...reason number 156, Lutherans do not seek to explain the paradoxes of faith, but proclaim them as the mysteries of God! Take a few minutes to read and to pray on Romans 11:33-12:8. Allow God's Word through Paul to transform your thinking away from the influences of a world that says you have the power to do all things yourself. Think of the TV show "Junkyard Wars" as a good example of what Paul is talking about. On the show, teams need to search, scavenge and scrounge for parts to build a complex machine, like a drivable car or a sailable boat. While each part and piece is critical to the success of the machine, the talents of each person on the team is even more important. Each has a gift to offer, a talent to share. Conflict erupts when the focus shifts from WE to ME. When one member takes or is given ultimate control, things fall apart! Isn't this our problem in our relationships as well? The paradox of the faith is that it is at the same time individual and corporate. We must, as individuals, be touched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet if it remains all about me, I become isolated and cold - serving to benefit my own wants needs and desires. At the same time as we are touched as individuals, we are brought into the corporate body of believers. Each of us has God given gifts and talents designed to serve together in this junkyard of a world. This is the warmth of community, of service not for me or for God (see verse 11:35!!) - but simply for others who need to know and see that they are not alone. A LIFE IN FAITH IS A LIFE AS WE!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
All for one and one for all!
Faith and paradox go hand in hand. How can we be saint and sinner at the same time or free slaves? How can we be so individual that every hair on our head is numbered, and yet be so corporate as the body of Christ? When you start with the unsearchable riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God, as Paul does in Romans 11:33, then paradox is not a problem. Why I am a Lutheran...reason number 156, Lutherans do not seek to explain the paradoxes of faith, but proclaim them as the mysteries of God! Take a few minutes to read and to pray on Romans 11:33-12:8. Allow God's Word through Paul to transform your thinking away from the influences of a world that says you have the power to do all things yourself. Think of the TV show "Junkyard Wars" as a good example of what Paul is talking about. On the show, teams need to search, scavenge and scrounge for parts to build a complex machine, like a drivable car or a sailable boat. While each part and piece is critical to the success of the machine, the talents of each person on the team is even more important. Each has a gift to offer, a talent to share. Conflict erupts when the focus shifts from WE to ME. When one member takes or is given ultimate control, things fall apart! Isn't this our problem in our relationships as well? The paradox of the faith is that it is at the same time individual and corporate. We must, as individuals, be touched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet if it remains all about me, I become isolated and cold - serving to benefit my own wants needs and desires. At the same time as we are touched as individuals, we are brought into the corporate body of believers. Each of us has God given gifts and talents designed to serve together in this junkyard of a world. This is the warmth of community, of service not for me or for God (see verse 11:35!!) - but simply for others who need to know and see that they are not alone. A LIFE IN FAITH IS A LIFE AS WE!
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1 comment:
Adding to what you have already said:
If I was to look at one word that the body of belivers is missing is HOSPITALITY. To people of "THE FAITH" it was regarded "as important as the reception given to the Shekinah Glory". When the Greek mindset began to influence the early church instead of faith being something to practice it became somthing to ponder.The mind became more important than relationships.Gods truth became not a faith to be practiced but facts to be pondered. - "Christ was Savior but self was King".
It is said that the rewards for Hospitality is like a tree "the fruit of which man enjoys in this world,while the trunk remains for his enjoyment in the world to come".I wonder where Jesus would fellowship if he was to visit our town. Would we say hello to him, ask his name,shake his hand,listen to him or be more interested in what we have to say. I need to ask myself those questions because " as you have done to the least of them you have done to me.
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