Tag: Jesus

Not Just Clean on the Outside

Hebrews 7-9

Devotion by John Tullis (OH)

When I was a kid, I often had to do the dishes.  I was not a fan of having to take time to soak the dishes and scrub them, inside and out.  One time, I decided to save time and only cleaned the outside of the cups.  They looked super clean!  I put the cups away and everything looked clean and ready for the next meal.  Later, when my Mom pulled a cup from the cabinet, it looked nice and clean.  But the inside was a mess.  Milk had spoiled in the cup and was caked along the bottom.  She was not very happy and found the cup to be completely unusable.  I had to pull all the cups out and get the job done the right way!

In the Old Testament, God’s people were instructed to offer sacrifices to God.  These sacrifices of animals, grain, and oil were expressions of devotion to God, addressed sin, and maintained covenant relationship between God and Israel.  Animals were burned on an altar symbolizing total surrender to God.  Sometimes, animal blood was applied to the altar.  In this case, the offering was a sin offering – usually a lamb.

The writer of Hebrews compares the offerings of the Old Testament with the new offering through the death of Jesus Christ.  Hebrews 9:11-14 tells us that “the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean”.  They became sanctified – set apart for God’s special use – because of the spilled blood of an animal.  However, people were only ceremonially clean on the outside of their body.  They were now clean to worship God and come before Him, but on the inside sin would return.  Again and again, people would have to continually offer animals in sacrifice to God to maintain their ceremonial purity before Him. 

Jesus, as the sinless, perfect, lamb of God is clean on the inside as well as the outside.  In other words, after His resurrection, He was able to ascend to Heaven and sit at the right hand of God because of His perfect, redeeming blood.  Since He died and was resurrected in perfection (because He was always perfect), he could now spend eternity with His Father in Heaven!  Jesus had no sin, so He did not need to be “saved from sin” like you and me.  The very blood of Jesus, shed on the cross for you and for me, is the blood that makes us clean on the inside (Hebrews 9:14).  No longer do we have to make sacrifices repeatedly.  He died for us, once and for all (1 Peter 3:18, Romans 6:10, 1 John 2:2).  Hebrews 9:15 teaches us that Jesus is the perfect mediator of a NEW covenant (not like the Old Testament…).  Those who put their faith in Him may “receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15).  Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  We are now “clean” on the outside and inside.  Like one of my cups  – finally spotless and useful for the Kingdom of God.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Why did God want blood as payment for sin? (Hebrews 9:22)
  2. Why does Jesus appear for us in God’s presence? (Hebrews 9:24)
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Sharp!

Hebrews 4-6

When my son was a little boy, he asked for a pocketknife for Christmas.  He was interested with those who could take a piece of wood or a stick and whittle it into a figure or an animal.  Watching an experienced woodworker use a little knife to create amazing little figures was fascinating to a young boy.   

Of course, I got him his first pocketknife, and we talked about how it was very sharp.  We talked about how to hold the knife and how to begin the process of whittling away.  I warned him not to put his finger on the blade and to respect it.  Of course, the first thing he did was rub his finger across the blade – and cut himself.  Just a slight bump against the blade and the cut was deep enough to draw blood – and a few tears. 

The writer of the book of Hebrews describes the Word of God as being sharper than any type of edged weapon (4:12).  Like a pocketknife, it can cut deep – deep into the mind and heart of the believer.  God’s Word judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Like an impartial judge sitting on the judgement seat, the Word of God judges what is within us.  The Word of God judges if we are resting in God’s grace or in human works.  We can work hard and perform many good deeds for ministry.  But those good deeds will not save us.  Only the grace of God through faith in Jesus can save us from our sin.  We can fool other people, but the Word of God makes it very plain that we cannot fool God.  He will judge us rightly and with justice.  If our faith is in Christ, we will find a sympathetic savior, who while tempted in every way, did not sin.  He is perfect – and wants us to trust in His father as He did.  The Word of God makes it very plain – our salvation is through grace by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).  We cannot pretend to “earn” our way into God’s Kingdom.  His Word testifies to the truth – that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) and trusting in him allows us to receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).   

Remember to honor and obey God’s Word.  While it contains the awesome message of salvation, it also opens our lives up to the all-knowing, all seeing eyes of God.  Sharp indeed! 

Questions for Discussion: 

  1. How could Jesus experience EVERY temptation?  (4:15) 
  1. How is God’s throne a throne of Grace? (4:16) 
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To Make You Stronger

1 Peter 1-3

Devotion by John Tullis (OH)

One of the strongest building materials is steel.  All the great towers and skyscrapers today are built out of steel.  It is a very hard metal and very durable.  But it does not start that way.  It begins as a piece of iron ore.  To transform the iron ore into steel, the iron must be heated to extreme temperatures and exposed to blasts of super hot air to blow out the impurities.  When it is quickly cooled, the result is steel – a pure form, durable, and able to stand the test of time.  It is only tough and useable because of the intense “heat and violent blasts of air” that transforms it. 

The apostle Peter wrote his letters to Christians scattered out across Asia Minor (Turkey today).  The Christians there were struggling because of hardship and persecution.  Living a life of faith in God was very difficult and dangerous.  As the Roman empire continued to persecute the Christians across the empire, the apostles, like Peter, worked hard to encourage the children of God. 

Peter reminds us in his letter that we have a “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3-4).  No matter what kinds of trouble we experience in life, we can be assured that the hope that we have in Jesus is true and eternal.  We know this because Jesus has been raised from the dead, proving that every promise that He made is true.  No matter what kinds of sorrow we face in this life, we can be assured of an “inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  Kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).  Jesus promised to return to this world to make things right.  Then, our promise will be revealed before our very eyes as we enjoy eternity with God the Father and His son Jesus Christ in God’s glorious earthly kingdom.

Despite being persecuted and threatened by the Romans, Peter reminds the Christians that they are to put their faith in God and serve Him.  Like the first Christians, God allows us to experience trouble and sorrow because, like heat to iron, He wants to create a tougher, more usable child of God.  God desires for each of us to endure troubling times.  We are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9-10).  As God’s chosen people, we can be assured that He will use hard times to strengthen us.  It is God’s will that we suffer for doing good (1 Peter 3:17).  Jesus suffered greatly on the cross.  But the result of His suffering has brought us closer to God (3:18).  Who knows what incredible things God will bring about because His people are willing to suffer for doing good?

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Are good works the way to earn a blessing? (1 Peter 3:9-12)
  2. Why be gentle and respectful to unbelievers? (1 Peter 3:15)
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A Slippery Sin

Philippians 1-2

Devotion by Jenn Haynes (OH)

One of the sins that always frightens me most is the sin of pride. It’s slippery and hard to recognize because one of the symptoms of this particular sin is the inability to see a fault in ourselves. I’ve seen many people who claim humility – they are quick to point out their easily recognized flaws and will readily acknowledge when someone else is better than them at something that they are terrible at. I think of that as easy humility. It’s a quick reassurance to ourselves that we are not guilty of the terrible sin of pride. It makes us feel better about ourselves and our attitudes.

But pride doesn’t have to show up in every aspect of our lives. You can be humble about your skills playing an instrument, while still being enmeshed in pride in some other area. Sometimes pride disguises itself. For example, not seeking counsel because you believe you already have the answers? Pride. Insisting on things being done a certain way because you think it is the RIGHT way, when really it’s just the way you PREFER? Pride.

Philippians 2:3-4 says:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

It’s an easy thing to say. I bet most of us think we already place others before us. We serve others, we give of our time and resources, we pray over their needs. But Paul calls us to do more than this. He says do NOTHING out of selfish ambition or conceit. 

We all have agendas. We all have goals. Do every single one of our agendas and goals look out for the interest of others? I know mine don’t always. I struggle with shopping for gifts for others because I keep seeing things I would like to get myself! We are trained by the world to look out for ourselves! We must do what is best for ourselves! 

Let’s be clear – God wants you to take care of yourself and do good things for yourself as well. But in this letter Paul is talking to the church as a whole and to the people working within that church. We, as a body of Christ, are to be working together in complete humility, putting others before ourselves. I’ve had to say many times, both to myself and to others, “This isn’t about you.” 

Because it’s not. None of this is about you. The types of songs we sing in worship. How we conduct meetings. How the furniture is arranged. How we do prayer requests or announcements. What type of public events we hold. I could go on. None of those things are about you. 

We have one mission as a church. We are to live and serve like Christ. We are to go and make disciples, baptize, teach, serve, and love. We are to do Christ’s work, and not once did Jesus ever put his own agenda before God’s agenda. He was the ultimate example of what it looks like to put God’s will before our own. 

Reflection Questions: 

Where are you guilty of pride? Don’t stop at the easy answers either. Look deep. Do you find yourself getting frustrated over people in church doing things “the wrong way” when really it’s just not the way you would do them? Do you find yourself not asking for counsel in an issue because you think you already have the answer? Do you find yourself not praying over decisions?

What areas of your life would look different if you put others before yourself? What areas of your church would look different if you put others before yourself? (Note that I didn’t ask what areas would look different if OTHERS were more humble or selfless. We are looking just at ourselves, so don’t start down that dangerous path.)

Prayer:

My prayer for you is that our church bodies be united in humility to do Jesus’ work. I pray that we are able to keep the slippery sin of pride far away from us. I pray that others are able to see Jesus Christ in us because we are continually showing them love and putting them first above ourselves.

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Relationship Inventory

Ephesians 4-6

Devotion by Jenn Haynes (OH)

Relationships are tricky things. They are a blessing to us, and yet they don’t come without thorns. God decided in the very beginning that we weren’t to be alone. We were created to be with others. The final three chapters of Ephesians center around how to be in relationships. From the bond found in church bodies and friendships,to slave/servant and master, to children and parents, to husband and wife, we see a wide array of relationships. And they all start in the same place: unity in Christ. 

What a tricky thing to do, being one in spirit and purpose when we aren’t always one in mind. For example, you could look at the political atmosphere in our country. I know Christians who are Democrat, and Christians who are Republican, and a vast array in between or beyond. They are definitely not of one mind, though I like to believe that most are of one spirit: they want our country to be a good, safe place to live. We just all have a different ideas of how that should happen, and we prioritize different ideals, right? 

The same goes in every relationship. In churches, I rarely see a lack of peace because someone desperately WANTS to go against Christ and destroy his church. Usually I just see different groups of people with different priorities and different ideas of how things should be done. One in spirit, but not one in mind. This holds true in every relationship. No matter how united we are in our goal, we will find differences that lead to conflict. 

So how do we handle relationships when we differ in mind? Paul gives us a lot of advice here, so I’ll list some highlights: 

1. Be humble, gentle, and patient in love. Show humility by admitting that maybe your way doesn’t have to be THE way. And of course be gentle and patient when you are disagreeing.

2. Seek God in determining your place in the body of Christ, as well as in your relationships. Many times our conflicts occur because we have stepped away from where God wants us. 

3. Deal with your anger in a Godly way. Don’t let it take root and stew in your bitterness. Evaluate what you’re actually angry about. Is it righteous anger? Is this anger God would have in the same situation, or is this YOUR anger – anger that things aren’t going the way YOU want them to. If it’s Godly anger, then you need to speak up in truth. If it’s your anger, then you need to stop letting it get in the way of the work God wants to do in you and through you. 

4. No unwholesome talk. This means you DON’T put others down. You don’t gossip, and you don’t say hurtful things about those who are one with you in the body of Christ. You don’t put down your children, you don’t put down your spouse, you don’t put down your friends, and you don’t put down your church body. You can’t be unified in mind and purpose if your speech is keeping you apart.

5. Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  That verse is so important to good relationships that I put it to song and had my children memorize it when they were small. God forgave you for all your stupid, stupid mistakes, sins and words. So forgive others for theirs. 

6. Do not wait for others to follow Paul’s advice here. It starts with you. Paul didn’t say this, but we see it in every example of a good disciple. You can’t control others’ actions and emotions. But you can control yours. And good disciples take the first steps and live as an example to others. 

Paul goes on in the rest of Ephesians with more good advice, specifically pertaining to certain relationships. But these foundations he lays out in chapter four pave the way. You are called to be united in Christ. So it’s time for a relationship inventory. 

Reflection Questions:

 First, are you united in spirit in this relationship? (As in, do you have the same goal, and is that goal Godly?) If you aren’t, then maybe it’s time to place some safety distance in that relationship so that it doesn’t affect the work God would like to do in your life. If you ARE united in spirit, you can move on to further analysis. 

If you’re united in Spirit, are you currently not united in mind about an issue? 

Are there negative feelings attached to that issue? Are you angry, bitter, hurt, jealous, anxious, or something similar? You need to find out the root cause. Do those feelings stem from something that is ungodly, or do they come from a more personal place? If you look at it hard enough, is this really just a difference of opinion, or is this an issue of righteousness? Most of the time, it’s a difference of opinion. If that’s the case, it’s time to start looking at Paul’s suggestions there in chapter 4. Most of all, show love. Rather than saying, “I’m angry at this person because of….” start actively saying, “I love this person because…” and you will see a radical shift in your relationships with others. Even if you have to start small with, “I love this person because God told me to.” Doing what God asks is a wonderful place to start. 

Prayer Thoughts:

My prayer for you today is that you read through these passages and really try to apply them to your relationships. I pray that you are able to recognize a difference of opinion for what it is – a difference in how your beautiful brains think, not a reason to be angry and distrustful. I pray that you find unity in spirit and unity in mind in your relationships. I pray that when you don’t find that unity, you step up and be a good disciple by making the first move toward togetherness. I pray that you love and forgive others as Christ forgave you.

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A Short Appeal

Philemon

Devotion by Jenn Haynes (Ohio)

I’m amazed at how the book of Philemon came to be included in the Bible. I mean, this is a personal letter from one man to another. It wasn’t addressed to a group. And it was giving a simple, short message. It was just a note, really. But sometimes short and to the point is what we need, especially when the message is as radical as what Paul says to Philemon. 

In this short letter, we see people in three positions in which every one of us has probably found ourselves. 

We have Paul, who shows us how to encourage others towards love and forgiveness. He encourages Philemon not only to forgive Onesimus, but to accept him as a brother. And Paul does this with such love and gentleness. Paul reminds Philemon of their bond and implores him to show love to Onesimus and treat him as he would treat Paul. And he says that whatever debt that Philemon still feels Onesimus owes, should be considered Paul’s debt instead. Paul is showing us how to be Jesus to others. 

Then we have Philemon, the wronged party. We’ve all been hurt by someone before and we see here how we should handle it – with love, grace, and forgiveness, just as Christ showed us. And Paul knows that’s hard. When you’ve been wronged and hurt, it’s hard to let that go. But here Paul asks us to not only forgive, but to also love the one who hurt us, just as Christ loves us. 

Finally we have the one I think we can relate to the most: Onesimus. Onesimus has run from the one he wronged, and Paul knows that it isn’t enough to ask for forgiveness from afar. He sends Onesimus back to Philemon to do the hard thing. He sends him back to reconcile. Making things right is uncomfortable and even painful. But Paul knows that it must be done for true healing. We have all been Onesimus. We have all needed forgiveness. 

And what these three thankfully have in common is that they are all saved by Christ and they are no longer what they once were. Their relationship is new. They aren’t slave and master or teacher and student. They are equal brothers in Christ. 

Reflection questions: 

When have you been Philemon lately? Is there anyone you’re struggling to forgive? 

When have you been Onesimus? With whom should you be reconciling? 

How can you remind others of Christ through your speech and your example, just as Paul does here? 

Prayer:

I pray that you don’t let awkwardness or hurt or unforgiveness stand in the way of your relationships with other believers. I pray we are united in an effort to spread the gospel message to the world by showing others the power of love and forgiveness. 

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What Does God Want Me to Do?

Acts 24-26

In this next episode Paul is arrested by the Jewish leaders, and they conspire to put him to death because of their hatred of Paul and Christianity.  As we read the rest of the chapters of Acts the largest questions that stare at us are:

What is the relationship of what we want to do in life vs what God would have us do?

What does God do when we disobey His direction and do what we decide is the better course?

How much more could Paul have done for God if he were not arrested?

The Roman legion commander comes to Paul’s rescue because he claims to be a Roman citizen, which is true.  The commander realizes that Paul cannot get a fair trial of any kind in Jerusalem and sends him to Caesarea to the governor to be tried there in a Roman court.  The Jews have men also that have taken an oath to kill Paul and try to do it on the way.  When Paul is tried by the governor, there is no decision and then Felix listens to Paul but is hoping that Paul will bribe him to be set free.  

Acts 24:12-16(NLT) And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

What do you think about how Paul goes to Jerusalem and how he is now arrested and in great difficulties?

Acts 24:27 – 25:5(NLT) After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison. 1 Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, 2 where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. 3 They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). 4 But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. 5 So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”

Acts 25:10-12 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
  12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Was this a good decision by Paul?

Acts 26:25-32 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

With my 20/20 hindsight I am shouting inside for Paul not to do what he did.  I want him to do the things that will get him released, not go in chains to Rome.  Easy for me to think now, but we also are guilty of doing the wrong things for the right reasons.  Good intentions and sincerity are not the way to do God’s calling.  Walking in the spirit every day in Christ will get us the correct results.  True good works are doing what God has prepared for you to do.

Love in Christ, Tom Siderius

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We Believe It!

Romans 4-7

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”  (NKJV)

Devotion by Merry Peterson (Canada)

In the part of Ontario where I live there is a museum called ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’.  Inside there are lots of strange and unusual items and displays about occurrences that are most, well, quite frankly unusual!  The sign says it all – believe it – or not. Some things in that museum I find really hard to believe.  

Faith is really about belief.  Our belief that God is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do.  That’s the tenet of having faith – those beliefs about God.  His existence as the supreme ruler of the universe and that His declarations of what He will do He follows through on. 

In the previous chapter we see that Abraham was justified by his faith even though the whole salvation plan through Jesus dying on the cross for our justification hadn’t happened yet in his time.  It was Abraham’s belief that God was in control and able to do what He said He would do that brought him justification.

We as Christians have received justification through Christ’s sacrifice because we live in a different time frame than Abraham.  Christ, the promised savior that God declared would become the sacrifice for sin has indeed died, and risen again, and our justification comes through that fulfilled promise. 

Notice that the fulfilled promise brings peace.  We have peace with God through Christ.  We have peace knowing that our sin is covered by Jesus’ blood, that we are no longer God’s enemies because of our sin.  The blood of Christ washes away the debt of our sin.  We become in good standing with God.  How is this achieved – by our belief that God is in control and follows through on his promises.  He said that Jesus would be the once for all atoning sacrifice for mankind bringing us justification with Himself.  We believe it! 

For Reflection:

Do you have friends or family members who have a hard time with faith?

When did you first start to have faith and believe?

Was there something or someone who helped you truly believe?

Are there ways that you could help guide another person to belief?

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Changed: Sown in weakness, raised in power!

I Corinthians 15:43            “It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 15-16

Devotion by Merry Peterson (Canada)

This is such a beautiful passage concerning the resurrection.  It brings a beautiful picture to my mind. Here’s the reason why – in my previous church I was privileged to work with a wonderful group of elders, one of whom had disabilities.  He didn’t let his disabilities hold him down, with a great sense of humor he navigated life around them. 

As a young man Boyd had the misfortune of contracting Polio.  He spent time in the infamous iron lung equipment for treatment.  As a result of this he was never able to stand up straight and tall again, and had troubles with his legs. He was stooped over and had to use a walking stick for assistance, and in later years ran around his expansive ranch on a motorized scooter.  It was difficult to watch him navigate the stairs at church one step at a time, as best he could – he was determined. It took him a little longer to do the normal things in life, but he navigated around his inabilities, ran his ranch well, had a large family and kept the faith. 

Boyd was an inspiration to all of us.  When we laid him to rest at the end of his life’s journey we were all encouraged by this thought:  In the resurrection our dear friend Boyd will stand straight and tall and will never have to use a walking stick or scooter ever again.  In fact – he’ll be able to run, skip, dance, and leap for Joy to his heart’s content!  His body was sown in dishonor, in weakness, broken by the ravages of illness.  He will be raised to a glorious, whole, fully functioning new body.  He will have the power to do what he couldn’t do before. He will trade his weakness for the strength he was meant to have.

At the Resurrection we too will be able to trade weakness for strength because of Christ and the resurrection power to bring wholeness to broken-ness.  Each one of us suffers brokenness in some way. Through Christ our once brokenness will be made whole. When we are raised in the Resurrection whatever we struggled with will no longer be an issue – we too, like our friend Boyd will be made whole.  What a glorious thought of how tremendous the resurrection will be! 

For Reflection:

Are there disabilities or weaknesses that you struggle with? 

Have you fully contemplated how wonderful it will be at the Resurrection when we will leave the old hinderances behind and go on to our new fully whole life with Christ?

What a joyful, glorious hope we have!

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Unity

1 Thessalonians 1-5

Devotion by Emilee (Ross) Christian

The book of 1 Thessalonians covers a lot. Shout out to the Wednesday night Bible study group at Jaynes Street in Omaha, NE and Pastor Isaac! Last Spring we took our time diving into all Paul had to say in his letter to the church in Thessalonica. This sparked some great discussions and I recommend a deeper study into this book. While reading through it this time around, I was struck by one theme in particular: unity. We live in a world with so much division. In this letter, Paul urges us to get along with everyone and gives us a few pointers on how to do so. 

First, Paul advises us to “live a quiet life, minding your own business” (4:11 NLT). It’s interesting how this comes after his instructions for holy living. In yesterday’s reading we saw Paul correcting a group of people for their unholy idol worship and leading them in love towards the truth. Christians are given clear instructions to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the good news. I believe there is a right way and a wrong way to go about doing that. Basically, avoid causing drama for drama’s sake. If you want to offer your opinion, make sure it is done with the right heart and mindset. Treat others with dignity and respect. Let that be the first thing people notice about you, rather than preachy words for holier living. 

It is clear from this letter, and others, that a strong work ethic was important to Paul. Paul was proud of his ability to support himself through his tentmaking trade while he was a missionary. He urges believers to “work with their hands…then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others” (4:11 & 12 NLT). I believe Paul is wanting the church to take an active role in society, not a passive one. We can be a people set apart, holy, and chosen by God while still serving the unchurched. 

How do we do this? How do we live transformed without shunning the world? It’s quite easy, actually. “Be patient with everyone” and “do good to each other and to all people” (5:14 & 15). I hope my sarcastic humor is coming through these typed words. It is certainly not easy to remain patient with all people. Simply put, there are a lot of idiots out there – ourselves included. God has remained faithful and patient with us. Give this patience to others. Even those with whom you disagree. Yesterday, Paul approached the Athens people with patience. He didn’t accuse them of pagan worship, but rather approached them as a group of misunderstood people whom he sought to lead towards truth. I wonder what it would be like if we treated those with differing ideas from us as toddlers who truly know no better. 

Finally, there was one place where the theme of unity struck me the most, in reading Paul’s words for the hope of the resurrection. This might seem an odd place to find unity as there are differing end of life and end of time doctrine. Those in the church of God Conference know this especially all too well. While passages like this seem to support a sleep of the dead theology, Paul’s intentions for writing these words on the resurrection were not so much to teach as they were to encourage. The hope of the resurrection is not meant to cause division but to encourage us in the future glory we will share with Jesus. The timeline and order of events is not as important as the actual event. We know that there will be a day where we will be with the Lord forever. THAT is our hope. This is not to say that the when, the where, the how, are not also important, but they don’t seem to be Paul’s focus of his resurrection writings to the Thessalonians. More than once Paul mentions how he doesn’t need to write to the church about such things as they are already aware (5:1, 5:4). Rather Paul says he is writing about the resurrection to “encourage each other” and “build each other up” (4:18, 5:11 NLT). Until today, I had only looked at this resurrection passage as supporting a particular doctrine. When I read Paul’s closing statements as to why he wrote such things I was hit with the sad realization that we as Christians, myself included, have allowed the hope of the resurrection to be a dividing point in our faith rather than something that unites us. 

Reflection Questions

  1. I challenge you today to look for ways you have allowed divisions to occur between you and others. How can we take Paul’s instructions for unity and apply in our lives, today? 
  2. How do we live transformed without shunning the world?
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