Have you noticed that Paul gives thanks for people a lot? I wonder if one of the reasons the modern church is so divided is because we haven’t grabbed on to this notion.
I was having lunch with a fellow pastor the other day talking about changes going on in the world. In particular we talked about Youth Ministry, looking at how, just maybe, we could offer a better “product” if instead of working on our own, a group of like-minded congregations came together and worked in partnership. But over the years, even within the same denomination, there has developed a sense of distrust that another congregation might, “steal our sheep,” if they experience what’s happening, “over there.” (Really, they’re God’s sheep to go where He wants.)
One of the things that I find interesting about Colossians is that Paul did not found this congregation. The Holy Spirit used Epaphras to do that. However, as Paul addresses them, he is clear, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”
When I read that, I can’t help but think we should not see ourselves in competition with our fellow Christians in our communities. Now, to be sure, we understand things differently across denominations, and those differences matter. Those differences do not make us enemies, though. We are still brothers and sisters in the Cross of Christ – the hope that we have of eternal life.
How can people who are so diverse, so different in our worship styles and emphases, doctrines and deliveries be thankful for each other?
First, there should be a recognition that we truly are heirs of a common hope that God has qualified us to live with Him by delivering us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Redemption and forgiveness show us that we are all sinners who had no hope on our own. But now we are redeemed and we are forgiven because Jesus has died and risen, and we believe in Him. Despite differences in how we understand Sacraments, central doctrines, and other very important issues, we all believe Jesus gave His life for ours and we are reconciled to God through Him.
Second, we can be thankful for each other because of who Jesus is. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Everything was created through him and for him (including us!), and He is the one who holds all things together. Not only that, He is the head of the body, that is, the church.
What does the head do? (Trick question, but think about it . . . what’s going on in your head right now?) It thinks, directs, controls. What would happen if Jesus’ thinking controlled everything we did as His people? Would some churches change things they teach and believe? Yes. Would some churches change their attitudes and the things they do? Yes. Would we be thankful for one another? Yes! Because we are Christ’s body to live for Him, and for Him to work through us to bring salvation into this world in our day and age . . . together.
Father, help me to see the body of Christ and to think with His mind and use me to bring forgiveness and salvation into someone’s life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
I was having lunch with a fellow pastor the other day talking about changes going on in the world. In particular we talked about Youth Ministry, looking at how, just maybe, we could offer a better “product” if instead of working on our own, a group of like-minded congregations came together and worked in partnership. But over the years, even within the same denomination, there has developed a sense of distrust that another congregation might, “steal our sheep,” if they experience what’s happening, “over there.” (Really, they’re God’s sheep to go where He wants.)
One of the things that I find interesting about Colossians is that Paul did not found this congregation. The Holy Spirit used Epaphras to do that. However, as Paul addresses them, he is clear, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”
When I read that, I can’t help but think we should not see ourselves in competition with our fellow Christians in our communities. Now, to be sure, we understand things differently across denominations, and those differences matter. Those differences do not make us enemies, though. We are still brothers and sisters in the Cross of Christ – the hope that we have of eternal life.
How can people who are so diverse, so different in our worship styles and emphases, doctrines and deliveries be thankful for each other?
First, there should be a recognition that we truly are heirs of a common hope that God has qualified us to live with Him by delivering us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Redemption and forgiveness show us that we are all sinners who had no hope on our own. But now we are redeemed and we are forgiven because Jesus has died and risen, and we believe in Him. Despite differences in how we understand Sacraments, central doctrines, and other very important issues, we all believe Jesus gave His life for ours and we are reconciled to God through Him.
Second, we can be thankful for each other because of who Jesus is. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Everything was created through him and for him (including us!), and He is the one who holds all things together. Not only that, He is the head of the body, that is, the church.
What does the head do? (Trick question, but think about it . . . what’s going on in your head right now?) It thinks, directs, controls. What would happen if Jesus’ thinking controlled everything we did as His people? Would some churches change things they teach and believe? Yes. Would some churches change their attitudes and the things they do? Yes. Would we be thankful for one another? Yes! Because we are Christ’s body to live for Him, and for Him to work through us to bring salvation into this world in our day and age . . . together.
Father, help me to see the body of Christ and to think with His mind and use me to bring forgiveness and salvation into someone’s life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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