Hey There,
Sorry I missed a week. It seems like I've been overwhelmed with the circumstances of life these days and my energy has been totally sapped, particularly in the evenings. When I started this, I had every intention of updating it a couple of times a week, but that doesn't seem to be happening just yet. I'm amazed at the people that can provide updates to their blogs every day!
We had some interesting conversations during our class this past week, and the energy level was quite high, with the discussion continuing right up until the service. That's really good. I'm encouraged by how alive the Word is and how relevant. Although we don't have the specific problem in PCBC to the degree that Paul discusses, I wonder if we are missing out on an important principle of church responsibility.
As I've studied this section of scripture (I Cor 6:1-8) and thought about it over the last week or so, I've been challenged by the expectation that Paul has for the Corinthian Church. It's one thing to bring matters of faith and doctrine before the church for judgement. But his expectation is that "trivial cases" be brought before the church. I really wonder exactly what he meant by that. What type of things were to be brought before the church for contemplation, discussions, and ultimately, for judgement? Let's explore this...
The context of the passage provides a hint. Notice in verses 3 and 4 Paul says "Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life. Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters..."
Do you see the hint? Paul is talking first about the future millennial state, when the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus will be established on the earth for all to see. He talks about the believer's responsibilities in "judging" during this time. The Greek word for "judge" is "krino" and can mean to rule or govern. So as Jesus taught in Matt 19 and Rev 2, believers will have a hand in ruling the world, both the spiritual and the material. Paul makes the argument that if we can handle THAT immense responsibility, we ought to be able to handle things now. What things?
"The things of this life."
That's the hint that Paul gives. If we have disputes (or discussions to determine a decision) about things of this life, we need to appoint judges within the church to deal with them.
It's clear that the Corinthians had two problems. First, they were bringing their disputes before the world for judgement- they had things all turned around. In chapter 5, they had a tendency to judge the world and in chapter 6, they had a tendency to let the world judge them! Second, they had a moral problem with cheating and defrauding their Christian brothers and sisters.
But does that obscure the implication that's under the surface? That we are to bring "the things of this life" to the church so they can help us figure out what to do?
We have two choices when it comes to "things of this life". We can figure them out ourselves or we can go to the world for advice and council to have them make decisions for us.
But there is a third choice. A radical one.
We can bring them to the church.
Let's face it. Many times you and I don't have the resources to make a good decision or judgement. Sometimes our vision is clouded by emotion- we're too close to the problem. We do the best we can, but often feel overwhelmed with what we have to face in this life. Pride comes into play and we figure we can make our decision on our own. Or we don't want to appear weak. Or we don't want to share our issues. Good old pride drives us to continue to be inward.
Most often, if we feel particularly in over our heads, we go to a pro-fessional to get advice and to help us make decisions. Many times, they can offer excellent advice in their areas of expertise. But many that we go to are not Christians. They don't have our worldview. They don't understand what motivates us and what is important to us. Our way of looking at this life is radically different from theirs, the World's view. So we go to them and the advice is "you need to put more money in your 401k and save for retirement so you're comfortable and maybe you want to cut back on your charitable contributions." Hmm.
Has it ever entered your mind (or my mind) to go to the church for help with things of this life? Practical things. Can you imagine asking three or four people in the church to meet with you to talk about that new job you've been offered? Picture the situation...
"I've been offered a new position at work. It's a promotion with a higher salary. With it comes more responsibilities, such as more hours, some travel and a bunch of extra stress. I feel competent to be able to do it, and feel like maybe God has put it before me, since I sure wasn't asking for it. I feel like I can be a positive influence for Jesus if I took this position. But I'm not sure if I really should take it. Can you help me?"
Pick another topic. College. Or a girlfriend. Or buying a house.
The things of this life.
Wouldn't it be really cool and amazing and rad and awesome if somehow we felt like we were all in this together? That we could rely on each other and count on each other for making decisions, judgements about the things of this life?
"All the believers were together and they had everything in common." Acts 2:44
"All the believers were one in heart and mind." Acts 4:32
The early church sold all their goods and lived together in community. While we might not do that today, we can certainly act on a similar principle. Think how that would feel. Think about the support we would have. Think about the reduction in stress and piece of mind we might have.
Maybe I wouldn't be so overwhelmed with the circumstances of this life, as I have been lately.
Eric
Monday, June 16, 2008
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2 comments:
I love reading the blogs- thanks Eric for starting the conversation. I agree the opportunity to meet with other Christians and seek spiritual adivce is powerful. We need to do it more! In order to provide Godly advice I first need to be in prayer and fellowship with Christ and I also need to have a relationship with people in my church. After spending time with families and individuals in the church - I begin to develop an understanding of thier spiritual walk then as I form a trusting relationship with them I am open to sharing my struggles and feel confident of the advice and spiritual encourgement- In turn they also know me~ faults and all and still are there to build me up, pray for me and encourage me.
I say all this to note- as we in the church continue to pursue Christ and began spend time with each other- our isolation will decrease- our trust will increase and we will be a greater influence for Christ to each other.
I am at times frustrated because I have this type of relationship outside of our church. I have three couples I can speak with who will challenge my thinking- my attitudes, decisions. They provide biblical instruction and at times rebuke. I love these people. They are not just like me. They have made other life choices for themselves and families. One couple follows another doctrinal statement. These relationships are so important because I do not feel judged- I feel loved. They still love me and want the best for me ~ the spiritual best! I in turn also pray for them, attempt to offer Godly advice and support them in thier walk.
All this takes time- lots of it. Yet the rewards are countless. Investing time in our church body - maybe this key.
Open to thoughts from others.
What a wonderful reminder that the church body, the bride of Christ, encompasses more than just the Panton fellowship. I think it's really important to maintain friendships with fellow believers, whether or not we go to the same church. My own journey with Christ has been encouraged many times by friends from other churches. Sometimes because it challenges me to search out the reasons for my own beliefs; at other times because despite different doctrinal teachings, we have both arrived at the same conclusion about God's bottomless grace.
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