I have been thinking over some conversations I've had over the last few days. Its amazing how the Holy Spirit uses other people to remind us of God's truth, isn't it? I made the point in class Wednesday night that the apostles' PRIORITY was the central message of the faith, the Gospel. The underlying premise in so much of their teaching is "What will serve to advance the spread of the Good News?". In Peter's epistle, chapter 3, he directs some teaching to husbands and wives about their relationships. What I want to emphasize here, though, is the reason he gives for those directives.
"Wives, in the same way (see 2:21), accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives conduct (3:1)."
"Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex (vessel), since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life-so that nothing may hinder your prayers (3:7)."
Everything we do should be guided by this principle. The question I should constantly ask is "Does this (practice, attitude, activity, teaching etc.) serve to help or to hinder the effectiveness of the Gospel?" If we're discussing a matter of opinion, then the opinion which is most conducive to the spread of the gospel should win out every time. Unfortunately, I have not always guided my opinions by this principle. More often than not, my opinions, actions and attitudes have been guided by what I am most comfortable with, or what I prefer rather than on what is best for the gospel's sake. We all have to be very honest with ourselves on this one--no finger pointing here! How am I contributing to the advancement of the kingdom of heaven in MY community, in MY workplace, and in MY world? How does my attitude draw others closer to Jesus? Peter follows up with a very appropriate word of counsel which we all need to take to heart as we study and discuss issues which very much concern the spread of the kingdom:
"Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind (3:8)."
May this be true of me.
Woman praying outside the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem
About Me
- Cary Hadley
- Winter Garden, FL, United States
- I am the Adult/Preaching Minister for the West Orange Church of Christ in Winter Garden, Florida.
Aren't our actions a reflection of our opinions on how things ought to be done? When we pool these actions/opinions as a group, we become a culture. It's been interesting with this study to examine our "culture" as a group of believers within the larger culture of America. Americans have been pretty opinionated (historically) that we have a lock on the best way to do things. It makes it difficult for us sometimes to think globally and look at situations from the perspectives of others. It also leads some people from other cultures have negative opinions of us as a people. I think the same thing can happen to us as a church "culture" if we hold our personal opinions too dear. When I was growing up, I remember being discouraged from attending the religous services or festivals my classmates were a part of. There seemed to be an awful lot of rules back then. As a result of this attitude, the cofC was seen as "isolationist" by others. That attitude definitely did not help us attract many people. In fact, it caused us to lose most of my peers who "grew up in the church." (Ask me how I feel about that expression sometime.) If that seems like finger-pointing, I apologize.
ReplyDeleteOver the past few years, I have been learning to separate what I believe (core beliefs) from what I prefer (culture). As a result of this differentiation, I'm finding that I feel more comfortable with my own beliefs- perhaps because they are more clearly defined- and therefore more comfortable with shifts in the "culture" I find myself in. When you have young adult children, you may find yourself in some interesting new "cultures." In other words, because I know what really matters to me, the stuff that does not matter no longer makes me uncomfortable.
Well said Jmelsha! I constantly remind myself that everywhere humans go they strew culture. We can't help ourselves. Of late I've tried to be more amused than frustrated by it (in the church). On occasion when it (church culture)hinders the cause of Christ we see the REAL source of concern for the church, the dearth of leadership. Gal 1:10 I'll shut up now.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick look back in the 70’s, I saw many churches supported missionaries to foreign lands to spread the Word, and we still do for good reasons. That was like the only method we use to spread the Word. But it seems like America’s demography has changed, or at least in Orlando. Contrary to what people say on TV, American is good, still attracts people, and have immigration waiting lists of at least 10 yrs for some. Only a few houses away, we’ve got people from various countries in Latin America, Western and Eastern Europeans, Middle-Easterners, Southeast Asians, New Jersians (LOL), etc. Seriously, the World is literally at our backyards.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to that, the Internet has changed the definition of a “neighbor” as you can converse, or email, to people oceans away. My point is that we, as Christians, have unprecedented opportunities to spread the word, while still living at home. God has brought harvest-ready fields right before us.
I wonder if we were to focus on our tasks, spreading the Gospel to the “fields”, then it may be easier to work the “culture”, particularly because we see the true context (advance to cause of Christ) easier. If everyone sees the true context of our existence, culture would become a moot point. But if we focus on culture, then it’s a fight.
The fields are riped. There are huge opportunities to use the internet for Christ. This blog is a good example. Others can be forums for people who need support (trying times, lost love ones, etc.) which are moderate by people who got experience in these trials. Plus, people’s hearts are more likely to be open when they are at a familiar surrounding.
May Faith comes by “surfing”, surfing the Word of God ?
I love it! Cowabunga...Nhiem- that's surfer speak for "Amen".
ReplyDeleteNhiem: AMEN!!!!!!!! That's THE point.
ReplyDelete