Today I sat down to read through 2nd Corinthians.
Reading this highly personal letter of Paul made me stop, pause, and reflect on how those who are outside of Christianity often perceive, and mis-perceive, the Church.
It was the old politician Tip O'Neil who said, "All politics is local". Which means people vote for those who care about what is happening around them in personal ways. While politicians talk about their parties, their ideals, political movements, etc...it usually comes down to basic things for people voting. So, what does this have to do with Church?
Churches tend to project various things: their beliefs (doctrine), their programs, their buildings, the personality of their leaders, etc... all of which have some relevance, but miss the mark. Ministry is highly personal. If you don't believe that, just read 2nd Corinthians again.
Here Paul gives a defense of what the Gospel looks like in practical ways.
The Gospel either penetrates our lives and causes real contrasts - not based on outward appearances, nor on rules - but in the practical everyday aspects of living. What happens in our work? What about our Marriage, or in other cases, as a single person? What about our relationships around us? How do we do business? How do we conduct our affairs when it comes to money? What do we do with giving back? Are we generous, or do we only give when we have to, and the minimum? Do we focus more on the temporal, or more on eternal things in terms of everyday life? These are the questions that are highly personal, but must be asked to make us stop, think, and reflect on just what the Gospel means to us.
To how many people do I feel comfortable saying, with Paul: 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Reading this highly personal letter of Paul made me stop, pause, and reflect on how those who are outside of Christianity often perceive, and mis-perceive, the Church.
It was the old politician Tip O'Neil who said, "All politics is local". Which means people vote for those who care about what is happening around them in personal ways. While politicians talk about their parties, their ideals, political movements, etc...it usually comes down to basic things for people voting. So, what does this have to do with Church?
Churches tend to project various things: their beliefs (doctrine), their programs, their buildings, the personality of their leaders, etc... all of which have some relevance, but miss the mark. Ministry is highly personal. If you don't believe that, just read 2nd Corinthians again.
Here Paul gives a defense of what the Gospel looks like in practical ways.
The Gospel either penetrates our lives and causes real contrasts - not based on outward appearances, nor on rules - but in the practical everyday aspects of living. What happens in our work? What about our Marriage, or in other cases, as a single person? What about our relationships around us? How do we do business? How do we conduct our affairs when it comes to money? What do we do with giving back? Are we generous, or do we only give when we have to, and the minimum? Do we focus more on the temporal, or more on eternal things in terms of everyday life? These are the questions that are highly personal, but must be asked to make us stop, think, and reflect on just what the Gospel means to us.
To how many people do I feel comfortable saying, with Paul: 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
and keep a Christ perspective...not a "look around and see what others are like". 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
Our lives are more transparent than we believe. What we do in everyday life goes a long way to give evidence with our own works what we believe. Paul says to the Corinthians two things that should be daily exercises for us:
First, we need a daily dose of personal reflection before God..."Lord, did I do what I needed to do today to live out the reality of your life within me?"
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
And,
Second, we need the long term of perspective that this life of Christ I'm called to is possible to both receive and experience....just not in my own power. Three ingredients I need everyday wrap up this letter.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Everything about the Gospel is personal to us...
Peace
Comments