Unity

I’m continuing my trek through 1 Corinthians and am pondering the impact God intended to leave on his people when he had Paul write Ch’s 12-13.  Most are aware that these passages refer to spritual gifts and Love, but those are just the fruits or rather subtitles to the main point- which is unity.

Obviously there were issues amongst the Corinthian church involving people esteeming certain gifts over others (which is why certain gifts are mentioned- NOT because these are the only gifts as Paul makes clear in 12:4-5 when he uses the word “varieties”).  The reason Paul even addresses any of this is because it brings disunity amongst individuals. Paul is reminding them and us, that we all have the same Spirit (v.4), the same Lord (v.5), the same God (v.6). Verse 7 further solidifies that the purpose for these gifts is not for our individual closeness with God or characteristic that makes us special or unique, it is for the “common good” (v.7).

The rest of the passage goes on to identify certain gifts only to have Paul reemphasize the fact that we all have the same Spirit who determines who gets what- further reminding us that we are all nothing without Him. (v.11, 18).

 What takes me even deeper is God’s plan to use each of us individually to form the very place He CHOOSES to dwell.  My whole life I’ve lived thinking as an individual and living independently, often priding myself of these characteristics. That mentality unfortuantely, still resides and is natural to my everyday instinct, however it is complete opposite of what God demands of His people. Over and over again he states how we are a part of one another.

I’m still learning how to flesh this out, but it is at least a humbling reminder that I’m really nothing special apart from His Spirit and His people.

1 Corinthians 2:9

I am currently reading a 1 Corinthians commentary and have found myself struggling with a certain passage. My struggle with this section, particularly 2:9, is found between what the verse is actually saying and what others and myself have said it is saying.

2:9 “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.

I can’t tell you how many times that verse was brought to my attention in regards to describing the mysteries of God’s will for my specific life. In other words, how He would personally fulfill all of my wildest dreams- even beyond my imagination. So if I would just believe or get others to believe, then God would do this for me too. It was almost a motivational device. Sadly it misses the entire point.

1 Corinthians is saying something as a whole and v. 2:9 fits into it perfectly. The message Paul is trying to get across to his Corinthian brothers and sisters is that we are not our own, we have one true Master who has authority over us. This picture is illustrated through Paul’s use of slave terms- over 75 terms throughout this letter. As he establishes this reminder he is also addressing some major issues amongst this church. But in dealing with these divisions he begins in 1:18, with a discourse that is weaved throughout the entire letter- Which is Christ crucified. He describes this as folly to the world but it is our wisdom. In 2:6-7 Paul says, ” yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is a not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.” Now all the times I’ve read these verses, I must admit my tendency to “spiritualize” them, complicating the verse. I become lofty and creative, believing that there is this added “wisdom” that I can obtain as I continue to work really hard at being a Christian. THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS IS SAYING. It is so clear!

The “mature” means “ones capable of understanding”. So you ask, “able to understand what?” To understand the foolish message of the cross( which Paul is talking about in Ch 1). In v. 7 it says that “we impart a secret and hidden ‘wisdom’ of God.” The later half of v.8 secures that the “wisdom” in v.7 is that the Lord of Glory is the Christ crucified, b/c Paul says “none of the rulers understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” If they would have been capable of understanding the secret wisdom, then they would have seen that this Jesus Christ is the Messiah, so they wouldn’t have killed him…Now this finally goes into my point. V.9 is talking about the revelation of the hidden wisdom (Christ is Lord). I don’t need this verse to be lofty and lure me into a God who is going to answer my deepest desires. He is done far above that by creating this “wisdom” that has saved me. This beautiful verse is still talking about my Savior. What he accomplished on the cross will forever be far beyond my own understanding. My eyes may never fully see, nor ears fully hear, or heart imagine all that was truly accomplished b/c of this hidden wisdom. But it is always enough.

So this verse spoke volumes to me as I drank my morning coffee. I don’t need to find a beautiful explanation of this verse. God already did that. I must shamefully admit my tendency to think that always talking about Jesus and what He did on the cross is cheezy and people don’t want to hear it. They want to hear something cool, different, something that makes them ooo and aww over God. That is only because I still have no clue what He really did accomplish for me up there on that tree. 1 Corinthians 2:9 sure is beautiful reminder, though.

More from “The Shack”

pg. 134-136

“”This is what we were talking about at breakfast,” she responded. “Let me begin by asking you a question. When something happens to you, how do you determine whether it is good or evil?” Mack thought for a moment before answering. “Well, I haven’t really thought about that. I guess I would say that something is good when I like it-when it makes me feel good or gives me a sense of security. Conversely, I’d call something evil that causes me pain or costs me something I want.” “So it is pretty subjective then?” “I guess it is.” “And how confident are you in your ability to discern what indeed is good for you, or what is evil?” “To be honest,” said Mack, “I tend to sound justifiably angry when somebody is threatening my ‘good,’ you know, what I think I deserve. But I’m not really sure I have any logical ground for deciding what is actually good or evil, except how something or someone affects me.” he paused to rest and catch his breath a moment. “All seems quite self-serving and self-centered, I suppose…       “He hesitated before finishing his thought, but Sarayu interrupted. “Then it is you who determines good and evil. You become the judge. And to make things more confusing, that which you determine to be good will change over time and circumstance. And then beyond that and even worse, there are billions of you each determining what is good and what is evil. So when your good and evil clashes with your neighbor’s, fights and arguments ensue and even wars break out.”…        “I can see now,” confessed Mack, “that I spend most of my time and energy trying to acquire what I have determined to be good, whether it’s financial security or health or retirement or whatever. And I spend a huge amount of energy and worry fearing what I’ve determined to be evil” Mack sighed deeply. “Such truth in that,” said Sarayu gently. “Remember this. It allows you to play God in your independence. That’s why a part of you prefers not to see me (she’s the Holy Spirit). And you don’t need me at all to create your list of good and evil. But you do need me if you have any desire to stop such an insane lust for independence.” “So is there a way to fix it?”asked Mack.” ” You must give up your right to decide what is good and evil on your own terms. That is a hard pill to swallow; choosing to only live in me. To do that you must know me enough to trust me and learn to rest in my inherent goodness.” Sarayu turned toward Mack; at least that was his impression. “Mackenzie, evil is a word we use to describe the absence of Good, just as we use the word darkness to describe  the absence of Light or death to describe the absence of Life. Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence. I am Light and I am Good. I am Love and there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist. So, removing yourself from me will plunge you into darkness. Declaring independence will result in evil because apart from me, you can only draw upon yourself. That is death because you have separated yourself from me: Life.”

I thought this passage was challenging in regards to my thought life and how much of me is playing judge.

The latter half reminded me of the difference between believers and nonbelievers, and how much I died to my self-destructive independence. I find it fascinating that the mask of Independence looks so enticing- enough that our entire world bought into it, yet it is the very thing that leads to death. I daily need to be reminded who my Master truly is.

I didn’t take the part about removing yourself from Life literally, b/c according to the Word, God never gave us the power to draw in and out of his presence. Once a believer, John 10:28-29 confirms you will remain a believer by Gods power.

Who God Is…thoughts from “The Shack”

So I’ve been reading this book called “The Shack” by William P. Young and it is really challenging my thoughts on who God is and how much I take my own definitions and let that shape who God is.”The Shack”, thus far, has illustrated God to be a warm hearted, large black woman. The Holy Spirit is a shimmering Asian woman who is often hard to see but comforting, and Jesus is an Arab carpenter. The story is fascninating and has been described as a modern day Pilgrim’s Progress. Here’s just a small, small portion of a conversation between “God”- aka large black woman and Mackenzie- the lead character.

” ‘Well, I really have no idea. I mean, you’re God and I’m not.’ He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice, but she ignored it completely. ‘Yes, But not exactly. At least not in the way you’re thinking. Mackenzie, I am what some would say ‘holy, and wholly other than you.’ The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn’t much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I’m far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think.’”

Due to some other circumstances I’ve been forced to think about not only how much I define God based off of my understanding, but how much I define Christianity by being an American. More thoughts on this topic to come….

Must read…
Job 38-41.

Guilty, but it doesn’t matter. I am free.

I feel guilty. This past week I have been absolutely awful to my husband. I mean realistically he could probably recall a few times where I have been a little worse, but for me, it seems like this one could top the charts. Maybe it’s because I embarked on having an attitude that was quarrelsome and easily irritatable all week long. It was continual. The monster never rested.
Now, I feel awful. I’ve had plenty of time to recognize the ugliness that I’m guilty of and I feel just plain wretched. Not to mention yesterday Bob and I went to a visitation due to one of our friends’ father passing away. This man, Gary Driskell, spent his entire life devoted to the Lord and serving him musically. I was blown away at the love and comments by those he left behind. In light of his life I was entirely put to shame, because as I’m standing in the line to shake the families hand I am in the midst of a strained relationship due to my sin. I wondered, was there ever a selfish bone in Gary’s body? It didn’t seem so. His legacy seemed to be so hidden behind the glory of God that it was evident that nothing else mattered. So, I stood condemned of being the complete opposite to my wonderful husband, caring only for my thoughts than unity.
In an hour I will be standing with all of Gary’s friends in family, participating in an incredible worship service- full band and everything. In the midst of feeling this emotion of guilt, I know that eternally this is not the case. This morning I had to remind myself of Ephesians 1 and choose to believe those words. I definitely feel so unlike HIS child right now. But I am realizing that all of this is why we worship God and not self. TO HIM BE THE GLORY.

Entrusted

“Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You,” says the subtitle in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. I kept reading…”Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not b/c of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me…By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”

I have been sitting on this chapter for quite some time. Both convicted and humbled, I sat in my living room the first morning I read this passage and realized that the “treasures” I have been “granted” (ie. my house, car, clothes, etc) really were nothing more than rubbish in comparison with the gospel. All the ways I attempt to live the best life- reading Dave Ramsey so my finances aren’t too out of control, attempting yoga b/c those people look happy and fit, finding the new vegetable that will grant me the energy I’ve been lacking, or figuring out how to have a great relationship with my husband, all of this is treasured in my life, b/c my time is invested in it and, to be honest, it’s what others tell me my treasures are- yes, even Christians. How many times have you heard a sermon on being a good steward of your finances? Now don’t get me wrong I will continue to invest in the things I’ve just listed above, and I do find value, as a human, living a life of balance. My point is I am all too often swayed by the love of things that I miss what has ultimately been entrusted to me. It’s the very reason Paul was in chains and in Second Timothy he paints a beautiful picture that I can’t get out of my head. The gospel is precious and valuable, dangerous and life threatening, and God has chosen whom to trust with it. Now, to this may I be a good steward.

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