I went to church today. There's a close knit body of believers that gathers in a local movie theater, and I thought some air conditioning and quiet meditative time with other believers would be refreshing. And I am refreshed! The speaker used lots of scripture in his talk, and you know what? The Bible is stuffed full of hope in the coming Kingdom of God!
The sermon was from Matthew 17, the section on the demoniac that the disciples couldn't heal. Jesus tells them that if their faith is small as a mustard seed they will tell a mountain to move and it will. Unfortunately, the preacher chose to dwell exclusively on 17:21, which isn't in all manuscripts, and probably wasn't part of the original. He used it to springboard his content on prayer. His point was, "Prayer is hard because God is distant, but it is important for you to do it anyway." He said that he didn't understand a lot of the things that Jesus said, and I think that is because he doesn't really understand the Kingdom of God. That's something I want to understand better, because I think it lights up the words of Christ.
I am really encouraged by the text:
Matt 17:14-20
14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
17 "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can [shall] say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.(from New International Version)
His disciples came to him, confused and frustrated (and maybe embarassed) by their lack of effective ministry. And Jesus basically tells them not to worry. They have baby faith, but when it is full grown it will have the power to do anything. The words "little faith" are rendered in some translations as "unbelief," but that is not accurate. The greek word there appears only this passage, no where else. It is from the words that mean "puny" and "faith." The next sentence he says that if they have faith like a seed of mustard (a puny but powerful thing), they will ultimately have effectiveness. Isn't that encouraging? Even if our faith today is small and confused and babyish, one day we will be full grown participatants in the administration of Christ's love, justice and restoration.
1 Cor 13:8-128 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (from New International Version)
This section on being a child is sometimes used to exhort us to come to maturity. However, it seems to me that we will not be what we are becoming until Christ returns:
1 John 3:2-32 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
Does your faith seem childishly puny? Mine does. But this is great encouragment! Jesus didn't expect us to have mighty, full grown power--we just have the teaser. We are *children* of God. What we will be has not yet been made known. But we will be like Jesus in his resurrected form when he comes back!
Let us not begin to think (or continue thinking) that this is what we'll be when we are mature. We will not have real maturity until Christ returns--until then, we are just children--dearly loved and accepted, but having not come into our inheritence yet. Our appropriate response is joyful expectation and humility.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Stone and Shadow
Our Christian hope is more like this stone that it is the shadow. Very often, we feel our hope in Christ is more wishful thinking or "spiritual reality than something we could stand on. I know people don't say outright that it is just intangible reality--a shadow, but it comes out that way. They look at scriptures like "Ask whatever you want in my name and it will be given you," and they take it for now, and then they have to bend it and soften it to make it true. They put conditions on it--you didn't ask right, you didn't believe right. But taken at face value, that is a pretty card blanche guarantee. What if Jesus was being serious? He does appear to be offereing something solid like a stone, not shifty like a shadow. A day will come when we will have whatever we ask for. And our requests will truly be righteous.
Here's a scripture that is also taken figuratively or spiritually:
Isa 40:3131 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. NKJV
"Waiting" as I have understood it means to meditate and sit still before the Lord. However, we can rip off the Christian face, and just "wait on the Lord" the way everyone else waits. That is, patiently observe the passing of time. If we wait, we will "mount up with wings like eagles," literally:
1 Thess 4:16-1816 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
We rob ourselves of a real hope when we take just the shadow of reality that we have right now to be the full substance. Yes, we have the Holy Spirit and the promise that Jesus will be with us always. However, that tenuous and subjective reality is temporary. If we wait for the end of this age of faith, we will have the substance of these outrageous promises. We will mount up on wings like eagles. We will have a physical body that will rise up in the air, that air will rush past our physical ears and "with our eyes we will see God". Right now, if we are honest, we do grow tired and we do faint and our bodies get worn out and we fall. However, this will not always be so:
1 Cor 15:51-5351 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
And how will we be changed? We will no longer be subject to the weakness of the body, it's mortal nature:
1 Cor 15:53-5453 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
I've heard so many sermons on our victory in Christ and walking in it. But how hollow these scriptures are when we take them for now. These are promises of His Kingdom--when King Jesus takes his rightful place to rule the world, with the saints he redeemed, transformed and resurrected. Yes, we can rejoice that our sins are taken care of. But the implications of that--that we will now have Life--that remains to be seen. We make a terrible mistake to believe we have anything but the scarcest taste of the promise today.
I encourage you to read the scriptures with me and find the nuggets of hope in the resurrection. Our hope is yet to come, and it isn't figurative or immaterial or subjective. It is overwhelmingly powerful, tangible, and starkly real. It was enough to give the apostles boldness. And they were guys that were bumping along living the life of subjective faith that we live with too. Paul wanted to go to Asia, but the spirit prevented him. Why did he want to go there if he was supposed to be lead by the spirit? Peter was going around acting like a jew when the jews were around and compromising the gospel to placate men. The apostles didn't have the fullness of the kingdom. They suffered confusion, conflict, frustration. They didn't get whatever they asked for. Instead of running and not growing weary, they got persecuted and killed. But they weren't bothered because they knew that the Kingdom would come, and all the promises would be made good, as evidenced by the resurrection of Christ. When they saw Christ raised, it was the outline of the shadow of the full deal: a redeemed earth with physically raised saints. Let's not settle for less.
Here's a scripture that is also taken figuratively or spiritually:
Isa 40:3131 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. NKJV
"Waiting" as I have understood it means to meditate and sit still before the Lord. However, we can rip off the Christian face, and just "wait on the Lord" the way everyone else waits. That is, patiently observe the passing of time. If we wait, we will "mount up with wings like eagles," literally:
1 Thess 4:16-1816 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
We rob ourselves of a real hope when we take just the shadow of reality that we have right now to be the full substance. Yes, we have the Holy Spirit and the promise that Jesus will be with us always. However, that tenuous and subjective reality is temporary. If we wait for the end of this age of faith, we will have the substance of these outrageous promises. We will mount up on wings like eagles. We will have a physical body that will rise up in the air, that air will rush past our physical ears and "with our eyes we will see God". Right now, if we are honest, we do grow tired and we do faint and our bodies get worn out and we fall. However, this will not always be so:
1 Cor 15:51-5351 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
And how will we be changed? We will no longer be subject to the weakness of the body, it's mortal nature:
1 Cor 15:53-5453 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
I've heard so many sermons on our victory in Christ and walking in it. But how hollow these scriptures are when we take them for now. These are promises of His Kingdom--when King Jesus takes his rightful place to rule the world, with the saints he redeemed, transformed and resurrected. Yes, we can rejoice that our sins are taken care of. But the implications of that--that we will now have Life--that remains to be seen. We make a terrible mistake to believe we have anything but the scarcest taste of the promise today.
I encourage you to read the scriptures with me and find the nuggets of hope in the resurrection. Our hope is yet to come, and it isn't figurative or immaterial or subjective. It is overwhelmingly powerful, tangible, and starkly real. It was enough to give the apostles boldness. And they were guys that were bumping along living the life of subjective faith that we live with too. Paul wanted to go to Asia, but the spirit prevented him. Why did he want to go there if he was supposed to be lead by the spirit? Peter was going around acting like a jew when the jews were around and compromising the gospel to placate men. The apostles didn't have the fullness of the kingdom. They suffered confusion, conflict, frustration. They didn't get whatever they asked for. Instead of running and not growing weary, they got persecuted and killed. But they weren't bothered because they knew that the Kingdom would come, and all the promises would be made good, as evidenced by the resurrection of Christ. When they saw Christ raised, it was the outline of the shadow of the full deal: a redeemed earth with physically raised saints. Let's not settle for less.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Putting Church in Order
I just read a section in 1 Corinthians about gatherings of the saints. You know, in church or Bible Study, we usually take a bite of scripture and look at it closely. And that has value. But sometimes, looking at a long section--the whole book at once, or at least everything that writer has to say on that subject at the time--sometimes that gives a better understanding. The section I read is Paul addressing the way the members of the body are interacting and how they are missing the point.
In 1 Cor 11:17, Paul begins by expressing his opinion that the Corinthian church's meetings did more harm than good. As a church detractor, part of me goes, "Ha! See, just getting together isn't necessarily better than not getting together!" But I quickly come back to earth. He says that the Corinthians are not being considerate of those among them that have nothing--that they are being cliqueish and exclusive, and not making sure that those with nothing are cared for at their potlucks. He says in 11:29 "Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself." It seems clear to me that the oft-quoted "eating and drinking in an unworthy way" doesn't refer to having unconfessed sin, but rather to selfish or self-exalting exclusiveness. The body of the Lord refers not only to the broken body that paid our debt, but also to our corporate identity in which there is no distinction, but "Christ is all and is in all." Notice that the punchline of this discussion doesn't have to do with confessing sin, but about simply waiting for one another to eat.
The Corinthians seem to have an ambition problem here. The whole section is addressing self-promotion. Paul goes back to square one and says, yes, you know that you have spiritual gifts. Then he emphasizes that they are given for the common good, and that each part needs the other, and that presentable parts don't need special care, but unpresentable ones are given special care so that equal concern is given for each part.
I have heard the end of that part read as "Eagerly desire the greater gifts." But the NIV has a footnote with an alternate reading that may be more apropo to the greater theme of the section. That's this: "But YOU eagerly desire the greater gifts." As if people had too much ambition to climb the ladder of importance in the church, perhaps. He says, "Now I will show you the most excellent way." And goes on to talk about love.
This is a famous and oft read section. However, I haven't often read it in the larger context of Paul trying to bring the Corinthians back from their tangent. They have gone off on self ambition, and he wants to bring them back to an interaction based on egalitarian interdependence, mutual submission, and appreciation. He goes down the list of spiritual gifts and says they are useless without love. Furthermore, they are temporary--they serve only on the earth in this age, and will not be in play when Christ returns, when we will see him and be full grown. But, he encourages them to pursue spiritual gifts, in love, and gives guidelines as to what a couple of the gifts are good for.
Then comes something that is astonishing. Apparently, their meetings were crazy because everyone came with something to say. Paul says that they should put this in order--listen to each other and stop talking while someone else is speaking, think about what is prophesized and weigh it, and don't let more than six or so people talk. Imagine having meetings in which the problems was *everyone* over participating! Imagine if there was time to consider what was spoken and discuss it! Imagine if everyone was welcome to bring something! Well, of course, not everyone, because Paul said women should be quiet and ask their husbands at home.
As I consider my young daughters, I wonder at this. Was it because women were less educated and didn't have worthwhile questions to add to the discussion due to their ignorance? I hope to encourage my young ones to listen more than they speak and so gain wisdom rather than displaying their ignorance.
Anyway, that's my thoughts on the section. I'm including the whole section below, in case you'd like to catch the whole jist of it yourself.
1 Cor 11:17-14:40
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not! 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
1 Corinthians 12
12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 13
13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 14
14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord. 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" 26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two-or at the most three-should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (from New International Version)
In 1 Cor 11:17, Paul begins by expressing his opinion that the Corinthian church's meetings did more harm than good. As a church detractor, part of me goes, "Ha! See, just getting together isn't necessarily better than not getting together!" But I quickly come back to earth. He says that the Corinthians are not being considerate of those among them that have nothing--that they are being cliqueish and exclusive, and not making sure that those with nothing are cared for at their potlucks. He says in 11:29 "Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself." It seems clear to me that the oft-quoted "eating and drinking in an unworthy way" doesn't refer to having unconfessed sin, but rather to selfish or self-exalting exclusiveness. The body of the Lord refers not only to the broken body that paid our debt, but also to our corporate identity in which there is no distinction, but "Christ is all and is in all." Notice that the punchline of this discussion doesn't have to do with confessing sin, but about simply waiting for one another to eat.
The Corinthians seem to have an ambition problem here. The whole section is addressing self-promotion. Paul goes back to square one and says, yes, you know that you have spiritual gifts. Then he emphasizes that they are given for the common good, and that each part needs the other, and that presentable parts don't need special care, but unpresentable ones are given special care so that equal concern is given for each part.
I have heard the end of that part read as "Eagerly desire the greater gifts." But the NIV has a footnote with an alternate reading that may be more apropo to the greater theme of the section. That's this: "But YOU eagerly desire the greater gifts." As if people had too much ambition to climb the ladder of importance in the church, perhaps. He says, "Now I will show you the most excellent way." And goes on to talk about love.
This is a famous and oft read section. However, I haven't often read it in the larger context of Paul trying to bring the Corinthians back from their tangent. They have gone off on self ambition, and he wants to bring them back to an interaction based on egalitarian interdependence, mutual submission, and appreciation. He goes down the list of spiritual gifts and says they are useless without love. Furthermore, they are temporary--they serve only on the earth in this age, and will not be in play when Christ returns, when we will see him and be full grown. But, he encourages them to pursue spiritual gifts, in love, and gives guidelines as to what a couple of the gifts are good for.
Then comes something that is astonishing. Apparently, their meetings were crazy because everyone came with something to say. Paul says that they should put this in order--listen to each other and stop talking while someone else is speaking, think about what is prophesized and weigh it, and don't let more than six or so people talk. Imagine having meetings in which the problems was *everyone* over participating! Imagine if there was time to consider what was spoken and discuss it! Imagine if everyone was welcome to bring something! Well, of course, not everyone, because Paul said women should be quiet and ask their husbands at home.
As I consider my young daughters, I wonder at this. Was it because women were less educated and didn't have worthwhile questions to add to the discussion due to their ignorance? I hope to encourage my young ones to listen more than they speak and so gain wisdom rather than displaying their ignorance.
Anyway, that's my thoughts on the section. I'm including the whole section below, in case you'd like to catch the whole jist of it yourself.
1 Cor 11:17-14:40
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not! 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
1 Corinthians 12
12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 13
13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 14
14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord. 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" 26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two-or at the most three-should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (from New International Version)
Love and Honesty
My husband doesn’t want our children to say “Excuse me,” when what they mean is “Get out of my way.” He says it’s dishonest to paint a polite face on a selfish request and would rather that they not pretend to be considerate. I, on the other hand, would rather that they not have a selfish heart that puts themselves first—I would rather that they bring their heart in line with their words, rather than their words in line with their heart. I suppose, in the meantime, it is better that they be honest with themselves about the condition of their hearts. I would sometimes rather not be honest with myself about the condition of their hearts!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
