Romans 12:3-13--Contributing

This week’s readings  have shown us what God wants from His church: that it reconcile all people to Him and each of us to each other. Today’s reading, Romans 12:3-13, focuses on the parts each of us play in bringing that about.  Let’s look dig into it. 

First, it tells us the each of us—every one of us—is expected to contribute in some way. We are all joined into “one body,” we “belong[] to each other,” and should “be devoted to one another,” so we owe it to each other.   Romans 12:5, 10. Indeed, that point is so crucial that it is reiterated in 1 Corinthians 12:14-26.  

Second, we each contribute in different ways. God gives each of us a unique set of inclinations and skills. He gave them to us so that we can each make unique contributions. Romans 12:6.

Third, we are to be discerning about what type of contributions we make. Romans 12:3. For example, I really like music, but I recognize that given my dearth of musical skills, I would add zero value to a worship team or choir and that I would be miserable trying. Instead, I try to contribute in ways that are better aligned with how God has wired me. He’s given me a love of scripture and the ability to write, so I put my energy into these devotionals.  He’s also given me a love of gardening, so I work in the UALC Community Garden.  Consider what you enjoy and are good at and start there. And along the same lines, be open to the fact that you might be able to contribute in more than one way; don’t sell yourself short. 

Fourth, whatever our gifts are, we are to use them to the fullest. As Romans 12:11  puts it, we are to “never be lacking in zeal.”  That can require significant time and effort, but it is worth it. 

Fifth, although this is beyond the text of today’s reading, it is important to note that God blesses us when we put our skills to work for Him. There is the satisfaction inherent in the work itself.  We also develop wonderful relationships as we join others in serving. Service is also a great antidote to despair.  For example I experience joy when I do the work involved in putting one of these devotionals together, I have been blessed with lasting friendships through the community garden, and God gives me peace as I do those things.   Is that hard or inconvenient sometimes? Yes, but the blessings always outweigh the difficulties.  

Finally, there are multiple ways to contribute. There are lots of ways you can do that within UALC, some of which are described here. There are also ways you can help the church deliver God’s love to the broader community, as discussed here,  here, and here.  Pray over them, follow God’s lead, and jump in. You, the folks you serve, and the folks you serve with will be glad you did. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the skills and talents you give each of us and the blessings you shower down when we put them to work for you. Help everyone of us to discern how we can do that, plug us in where you want us to serve, help is to be all in, and to savor the good that results.  We pray this in the name of the one who came to serve, Jesus the Christ.

Galatians 6:14 & 16--Countercultural

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

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“. . .  I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Galatians 6:14, 17 (NIV)

 

These statements from Saint Paul call us to an intensely countercultural world view. That becomes evident when we consider the Greek underlying them and the context they were written in.  

They call us to “boast” in the cross.  The Greek word translated as “boast” means to exult, vaunt, speak loudly of, and the cross was something that, at that time, an object of horror, revulsion, and disgust. It was something not discussed in polite society.  They call us to be “crucified,” to the world, and to crucify something meant to utterly destroy its power. The Greek word translated as “mark” meant to have a brand or tattoo identifying one’s master, much like a steer’s brand identifies its owner. In short, those statements called believers to boldly adhere to a belief system that was viewed as foolishness by the wider world. See 1 Corinthians 1:23-31. See also, Galatians - resisting a compromised Gospel.

So what does that look like in our time?  Several things come to mind.

Jesus taught and perfectly exemplified humility, and was the embodiment of scripture that consistently condemns pridefulness. Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 14:7-11; John 1:14; Wisdom Principles--God Loves Humility and Hates Pride. Our culture exults those who exult themselves.  We should not, and should reject those who do.

Jesus is truth and the embodiment of scripture that consistently condemns lying. John 14:6; John 1:14; Wisdom Principles--No Lying. Our world is numb to blatant and repeated lies. We should not be.

Jesus tells us to love those who do us wrong and to forgive. He and the scriptures he embodies tells us to do good to those who do us wrong. Matthew 5:38-48; John 1:14;  Wisdom Principles--How to Deal With Those Who Do You Wrong. Our culture stews in grievance and revels in revenge. We should break that toxic cycle. 

Jesus and the scripture He embodies tell us to welcome strangers and to recognize their inherent dignity as human beings. Matthew 25:31-46, especially vv. 35, 38, 43, 45;  John 1:14; Wisdom Principles--Don't Discriminate Against Foreigners  Our culture is demonizing and abusing them. We should support them.

Will that be hard?  Yes, at times. Does scripture demand it? Yes, all the time.  But do we want to buy into a world system that is so clearly at odds with what Jesus taught? No. We must therefore crucify that system’s hold over us and boldly demonstrate our allegiance to Jesus.  

Prayer

Lord, draw us to you and what you desire, even—especially—when the world goes in other directions. Give us the strength to go your way. We ask this in the name of Him who created and sustains the World, Jesus Christ.

Acts 7:54-60; Jude 17-15 and Ephesians 6:10-18--Dealing With Distortions & Attacks

As I dug into Acts 7:54-60, I was struck by its similarity to Jude 17-25. I was also struck by how both readings parallel Ephesians 6:10-18. Given that God often repeats Himself  when He communicates key precepts, it strikes me that we should spend some time looking at the directions given in all three of those scriptures. 

Initially, it is important to note all three address the same dynamic: that some will seek to distort or suppress the truths that Jesus gave us.  The broader context of Acts 7:54-60 described how the Jewish religious leaders killed a particularly effective messenger of that truth and persecuted the very early church in Jerusalem. See Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-8:3. Similar actions against the church as it spread were addressed in Ephesians 6:10-18. Jude addressed folks who attempted to thwart the church through false teaching and poor examples.  Each of those scriptures identified three ways to respond to those things.

The first is to focus on the truth God has revealed to evaluate and respond to those distortions/threats.  Acts 7:55 (NASB)  tells us that St. Stephen “gazed intently” at what the Holy Spirit had revealed. Jude 17  tells us to remember the truths revealed by the Apostles. Ephesians 6:14  tells us to make truth central to our responses to distortions/attacks. Each of those scriptures tell us to use undisputed truth as the benchmark for identifying and responding to distortions and attacks.  

The second is to pray and pray hard. Acts 7:59 and 60 tell us that St. Stephen “prayed” and “cried out” to God in the midst of the attack against him, and the underlying Greek words describe intense prayer. Jude 20 tells us to respond by “praying in the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 6:18 similarly tells us “pray in the Spirit.”  That makes sense because we cannot adequately respond to distortions/attacks on our own. We need God’s wisdom and strength so, we must ask Him for it. 

The third is to not completely write off the individuals who make the distortions/attacks. That is implicit in today’s reading; one of those attackers was “Saul,” who later became St. Paul, one of the greatest expositors of God’s truths. See  Acts 7:58; 8:1; 8:3. Similarly, Jude 23  tells us to extend mercy to those distorting the faith despite their corruption. That is also implicit in Ephesians 6:12’s  reminder that the source of distortions and attacks is not the individuals who make them, but something behind them.

Those principles continue to be relevant today. The distortions/attacks addressed in Acts, Jude, and Ephesians have receded into history, but new ones emerge in every age. Today they include Christian nationalism, the subordination of scriptural principles to political allegiances, and the prosperity gospel.  New distortions/threats will undoubtably arise as time goes by. We will therefore be wise to keep these principles in mind 

 

Prayer

Lord, draw us ever more fully into your word because it is truth. Draw us ever more fully into ongoing conversation with you so we receive your wisdom.  Fill us with your love and mercy, even for those who distort your truth and attack your church. We ask these things in the name of the one who is truth itself—Jesus the Christ. 

 

James 1:17-18--Being First Fruits

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.” James 1:17-18 (NASB, other translations here)

This week’s readings have shown how God extends his grace to us through Jesus, and  how we should respond to His loving initiative.  Today’s reading continues that, reminding us that every “good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father[.]” It also tells us how we should respond to those “good things”—we are to be “a kind of first fruits among His creatures.” 

What does that mean? What are “first fruits” and how do we go about being such fruits? The context of James’ letter provides guidance.

James was writing to Jewish Christians who would have been familiar with the Hebrew scriptures, what we now refer to as the Old Testament. Those scriptures required farmers to sacrifice a sample of the very first of their crops.  The purpose was to show their gratitude to God and their trust that He would help them successfully bring in the rest of their crops. Leviticus 23:9-14. James’ statement that God desires us to be like “first fruits” can therefore be read as a direction that Christ followers manifest that kind of gratitude to and trust in God.  

That reading is consistent with other scripture and reflected in liturgy. Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15; and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 each tell is to constantly thank God for the good things he does for us. Lutheran liturgy recognizes that it “is right to give [God] thanks and praise” and that such gratitude is “indeed right and salutary[.]” Lutheran Book of Worship, pp. 68, 88, 109.   As our  Catholic friends put it, “[i]t is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father most holy, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ” (emphasis added).

So how do we do that? 

One way is to end each day with a review of all the good things God did for you that day. Consider the prayers He answered and how He did that. Think about what went well and God’s role in those things, even if you didn’t pray about them. Were there any things or interactions that struck you as “God things”?  Think about the good things that you would otherwise take for granted: good health, provision, safety.  Write them down and thank God for them. If you are too tired to do that at the end of the day, do it first thing the next morning. Regardless of when you do it, that discipline will help you realize how faithful God is, focus your thanksgiving, and give you peace to face whatever is coming.  It will  make you “a kind of first fruits.”

Prayer

Father, thank you for lovingly extending yourself to us. Jesus, thank you for going through all you went through on our behalf. Holy Spirit, thank you for persistently and selflessly working in, among, and through us.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.