Day Eighty-Three -- Freedom, Spiritual Blessings, Joy and Glory

Galatians 3:26--6:18, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians

Listening in on Paul's "conversations" with these Christian communities around the Mediterranean Sea makes me wonder what he was like in person.  Commentators have speculated, based on some of Paul's own words, that he was not very physically impressive and his speaking voice left much to be desired.  There is no denying, however, the power of his written word, and his often soaring turn of a phrase can leave us breathless: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).  "There is one body and one Spirit -- just as you were called to one hope when you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).  "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near." (Philippians 4:4-5).  "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15).

It is testimony to the power of Paul's message that it did not depend upon externals.  He did not impress his listeners because he had the right "look" or the most engaging after dinner remarks.  It is no secret that he could speak too long (see Acts 20:7-12) and his written sentences could exceed 70 words (see Ephesians 4:11-13).  What he offered was insight into the heart of a person who couldn't contain the joy he experienced by having his whole life turned upside down by God.  

Day Eighty-Two -- If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation

1 Corinthians 15:1 to 16:24, 2 Corinthians, and Galatians 1:1 to 3:25

It has been an enlightening experience to read 1st and 2nd Corinthians back-to-back.  Paul's letters to this Christian community is like listening in on a conversation about what is happening in all of their lives.  Paul makes references to mutual acquaintances, talks of his future plans, responds to the Corinthians hurt feelings, continues to provide guidance on faith and daily living, and defends himself against criticisms of his ministry.  There was obviously a lot of communication going on, and it makes me wonder what else either Paul or the Corinthians corresponded about.  One thing for sure is that they were all striving to live in a new way, to understand what Jesus meant to them and how their lives were to be re-ordered around this understanding.  Paul, characteristically, states that what is happening is even far more radical; what is occurring is nothing short of the re-creation of the lives of believers.

Perhaps this is why Paul exhibits such frustration with believers who seem to be straying away from the gospel.  In writing to the Galatians he expresses his dismay that they seem to be willing to accept teachings that contradict what he has already taught them, and even calls them "foolish" for their willingness to choose observance to the law over faith in Christ Jesus.  He so desperately wants them to know that they have been given a new freedom and relationship with one another and creation that he's willing throw a few insults at them to shake them up.  Hmmm -- maybe that's why Paul moved around as often as he did, but we sure can't argue with his results.

Day Eighty-One -- I love you, but I don't like what you're doing

Romans 15:1 to 1 Corinthians 14:40

Have you ever had one of those moments - it might have been with a teacher, an employer, or your loved one - that started out with them intentionally saying how much they appreciated your efforts or your company, and just when you're feeling good and you let down your guard WHAM they let you have it.  "How could you do such a thing!  This isn't what I expected out of you!  Shape up or ship out!"  Okay, maybe not to that extreme, but the receivers of Paul's 1st Letter to the Corinthians might have experienced a bit of whiplash at how quickly Paul jumps in to deal with the wide range of problems and concerns he has with the behaviors within their faith community.

This actually is not the first time Paul has corresponded with the Corinthians (see 1 Cor 5:9-11), and it was either by letter or other means that he has been informed of divisions, immoral relationships, boastful behaviors, insensitive worship and a host of other issues.  He knew them well having lived and preached in Corinth for eighteen months, and he can hardly believe what has happened to them since he left.  His affection for them is evident, however, as he urges them to "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts" (14:1).  After all, how can Paul remain upset with them?   He did, after all, proclaim that love "keeps no record of wrongs" (13:5).

Day Eighty -- Love letters from afar

Romans 1:1 to Romans 14:23

One of the things that makes the scriptures of the New Testament different from the Old Testament is that they are predominately letters.  Twenty-two of the twenty-seven New Testament books are written to faith communities or individuals for the purpose of instruction, admonishment or encouragement in the faith.  The preeminent letter writer is Paul, who brings to the budding Christian churches a form of writing that was typical in the Greco-Roman world of his day.  Such letters were seen as personal conversations between people who were separated by distance.  The letters were viewed as more than written words but as vehicles for carrying the presence of the letter writer to the recipient(s).

Today we begin reading the longest of Paul's letters, the one he addresses to "all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints" (Romans 1:7).  It begins with much expressed affection for the believers in Rome and Paul's desire to visit them.  What he might tell them in person that he doesn't go on to say in this letter is anybody's guess.  He is nothing less than thorough in lining out his proposition that we are not saved by works or the Law, but by the mercy and grace of God in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  His arguments include references to Creation, Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and a myriad of prophets.  What I like is that he is not just making theological points for he is concerned for pastoral issues as well.  It is not enough to think rightly or to have faith in one's heart; it is about how we live sacrificially with each other.  I probably wouldn't get any support for proposing an addition to our weekly liturgy, but it wouldn't hurt our congregations to regularly hear Paul's words on love (12:9-21), or what he has to say about passing judgment on others (14:1-23).

Day Seventy-Nine -- What I am saying is true and reasonable.

Acts 16:38 to Acts 28:31

It seems like there's never a dull moment when Paul is in town.  His persistent preaching of Jesus' resurrection as proof of the fulfillment of the long-awaited Messiah gained him many converts as well as many enemies.  Those who came to believe in Christ were zealous in protecting Paul from the numerous plots against his life.  They could not, however, keep him from being thrown out of one town after another.  From the synagogues to the public arenas, his message was sure to stir up a crowd.  Along the way he also stirred up a lot of hearts, which is the hope of anyone who feels compelled to preach the gospel.  Like all preachers, however, Paul could be a bit long-winded as evidenced by his effect on poor Eutychus, the young man "who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on" (Acts 20:9).  The worst part of it for Eutychus was he was sitting in a third story window at the time and fell to his apparent death.  Paul rushed down and revived him, and since it was midnight decided to take a break for a little food.  Paul then characteristically went right back to preaching and didn't stop until the sun came up.

There was nothing that could stop Paul.  Not opposition from religious leaders who labelled him as a blasphemer; not merchants who viewed him as bad for business; not Roman officials of any rank who saw him as a threat to the civil peace.  His determination took him all the way to heart of the Roman Empire where he ends up under house arrest but with considerable freedom to meet members of the local community.  Acts ends on a triumphant note: "Boldly and without hinderance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ" (28:31).  It appears that nothing can suppress God from working through his chosen vessels.  Nothing, that is, except our own inaction.

Day Seventy-Eight -- "Who was I to think that I could oppose God?"

Acts 6:8 to Acts 16:37

Just as the infant Christian community begins to take hold, the persecution begins in Jerusalem.  The first to suffer martyrdom is Stephen, one of the seven chosen and ordained by the apostles to help care for the needy members of the community.  Following his death the believers, with the exception of the apostles who stayed in Jerusalem, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1b), and later as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch (11:19)  Those who fled did not leave their faith behind, for they began to tell the story of Jesus wherever they went.  We do not know exactly how they did this or what they said, but Acts does tell us about God's specific guidance to Peter and Paul.

Peter ventured outside of Jerusalem and was led to a broader understanding of his world and God's intentions to bring all people - both Jews and Gentiles - into relationship with him through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Paul, whose dramatic conversion from persecutor of the Church to proclaimer of the Gospel, is brought into the active ministry of teacher and evangelist by those who recognize the sincerity of his newfound faith in Christ.

Along the way both Peter and Paul find themselves thrown into prison by their opposition, and Paul gets himself stoned by an angry crowd in Lystra and later flogged by the city officials in Philippi.  And yet they keep going.  They certainly don't move in the same circles, or always agree or get along with other believers, but they never lose sight of the source of their redemption and their call under ever-difficult circumstances to proclaim the Good News.  It all makes me wonder:  Would I have had the strength of faith to stand up to the same challenges they faced?

Day Seventy-Seven -- From Promise to Fulfillment to Mission

John 15:18 to Acts 6:7

As John's gospel account moves towards its climactic conclusion, Jesus teaches the disciples that he will leave them neither comfortless nor without heavenly assistance.  When he has gone away (ascended to the Father) Jesus will send the Counselor, the Spirit of truth which is the Holy Spirit of God.  This is the promise the disciples must cling to as the betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus unfolds in rapid succession over the next eighteen hours.  When did Jesus confer the Holy Spirit on his disciples?  According to John, the group of disciples (minus Thomas) received the Holy Spirit on the Day of the Resurrection when Jesus appeared to them as they huddled in fear behind locked doors.  Thomas does not get his share until a week later, and it is no less a share than what the others had received.  However, in the Acts of the Apostles the Holy Spirit does not come upon the disciples until the Feast of Pentecost - fifty days after the Resurrection!

Is it essential to know which account is correct?  Not to me.  My faith does not rest on such details but on the overall witness of what God has and is doing among his people.  The Holy Spirit was/is indeed sent by God and the evidence is the church itself, that is, the gathering of individual faithful Christians whose lives have been empowered and changed. We see this empowerment and transformation of lives as the Acts of the Apostles begins to tell the story of the early mission work for Christ.  It was a time for getting organized, of giving the gospel and teachings of Jesus new voices so that it could be heard by people both nearby and far away.  This new fellowship and community cared not only for itself, but for the healing and well-being of those around them.  And as it did so, it began to flourish.

This is not just a history lesson.  It is much more than that, for it is the blueprint for the church of today as well.