A Life Worthy

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).

When I was a little kid, my mom put me in charge of getting the mail.  We lived in an apartment, and the trip from our door to the mailbox was a grand journey for my little kidiosity.  I was entrusted with the key and given the responsibility of keeping it and our mail safe.  I was totally faithful in that responsibility until I wasn’t.

One day I got lazy or careless or both and I left the key in the lock, little mailbox door wide open, as I returned home with the mail.  The next day I went to get the mail, but I couldn’t find the key.  I figured space aliens must have stolen it; Mom had an idea a little closer to the truth.  We went to the box, but found nothing.  I was in a panic.  

Do not be afraid for my little kid self, Beloved.  As it happened, a neighbor had come upon the open box before the space aliens got there.  She had locked the box and removed the key, and returned it to us the next day.  But, of course, I didn’t know that at the time.  All I knew was that I had been given a trust, and I had proved unfaithful.  Mom, not unlike God, was graceful, but still…  

You have been given a great trust, Beloved.

Mind the key.

Happy Friday.

All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future– all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God (1 Corinthians 3:23).

OK, remember that this whole passage started with the idea that we shouldn’t follow mere men as leaders.  

You do remember that, right?  Please nod.  Thank you.

People were claiming to follow Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or Frank, or whomever, and they were pitting their guy against the other guys like it was Mixed Spiritual Arts or roller derby or something.  Paul has spent several verses making it clear that men are, at their best, instruments of God.  They plant, they water, they work, but ultimately they have no power.  The power is all God’s.

And that power is at work in you, because you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Now if I remember my eighth-grade algebra, the transitive property states that when a=b and b=c, then a=c.

If I got that wrong, feel free to keep it to yourself.

The point, if I may be so bold, is that if we are one with Christ, and Christ is one with the Father, then…

You do the math.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future–  (1 Corinthians 3:22).

Now is yours.

Now, this day, this moment, is when you can meet with God.  Now is when he can work in your heart and bring you a little closer to the image of his son.  Now might be joyful, it might be painful, but now will certainly be God-full, if you let it be.

Now is yours.

Then is also yours.

Then, in the future, you will arrive.  You will be…complete.  At long last, the image in your soul’s mirror will match the reflection in God’s eyes when he looks at you.  Then will be glorious.  You will be glorious.  

So meet with him today.  Let him work in you. Let him bring Now one step closer to Later.

Because he can do that…even on a Monday.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

So then, no more boasting about men! (1 Corinthians 3:21)

How many times have you seen a church grow and grow and grow because of the ministry of one particular man.  He’s a great teacher, or a powerful speaker, or he’s charming and compassionate and now that you think of it you hear more about what the pastor’s doing in the church than what God’s doing in the church.

Danger, Will Robinson!!  Danger!!

Been there.  Done that.  Seen the failed churches and broken lives and bitter, betrayed refugees of Christ.  Because, let’s face it–people fail.  Even good people will falter and fall at some time.  If you have built your faith–even a tiny portion of it–on anything or anyone other than Christ, you will be disappointed.  Worse, you do a disservice to the brother you are following, because you are holding him to a standard to which he can never measure up.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.

This entire section of Scripture has been a warning against following men rather than God.

So…don’t.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight (1 Corinthians 3:19).

Psssst….

Have you, uh, noticed what passes for wisdom in these days?

Hmm?

Stand firm, Beloved.

Happy Tuesday.