Saint Paul is "on a roll!" He keeps on coming with what he expects of the followers of Christ, as he has nurtured them. It is as though in a breathtaking fashion he wants to be sure his dear people are instructed properly. The words ring with excitement. Today's readers also feel the holy heat that is generated. The words are not theologically demanding as the same found in some of the passages from both Galatians and Romans. The elementary way we can experience the passage is very helpful. In short, it is difficult to misunderstand what is being conveyed. While it might appear a bit simplistic for veteran theologians, it touches the essence of Christian discipleship!
The generous expression, found in easily understood words and phrases, is thrilling to anyone seriously seeking to follow the Christ. We discover so much in so few words and are brought face to face with the contemporary scene and living out the faith. It is class 101 in the exercising of a way of life couched in terms so dynamic even non-believers could get excited about the life we profess! Furthermore, we are given a springboard that encourages and enables us — here and now — to be Christ's people not merely in theory, but in fact. Friends, for the kingdom's sake, this is all very important and helpful. Give thanks for such motivating inspiration.
Focus
We are called to exercise a formula for right living.
Body
1. Commands are required for our well-being.
Like rifle shots, the Pauline teaching comes to us hitting its mark again and again. Do we feel like we are at a remarkable shooting gallery, being hit by blessed requirements? Well, that might be a bit of a stretch for the imagination but it seems to me the point is well taken. Over and over we are pelted by commanding and forceful language. The apostle doesn't want us to get away and run the danger of languishing in fields of indifference. Such fields "miss the mark" and — at best — allow for a temporary respite from the insistence that comes from his teaching. We are privileged people, as the shots hit us and provide spiritual direction!
We are naturally resistant to anything or anyone telling us what we can or cannot do and perhaps think. Many of us take the attitude that since we are being told, we are not going to succumb for any amount of reward! Of course, the beautiful and awe-inspiring part of the passage is "the one who calls you is faithful...." This gives purpose and even glorious sequence to our following orders. We belong to the Lord and he belongs to us. So, why shy away from that which brings us fulfillment under his lordship? Resist long enough and we are going to "backslide," as old-time Methodists would say. Reluctant and belligerent children of the Father create their own problems.
Is there self-interest in all of this? Well, yes, I do believe so. Some of you may be tempted to say "but don't go there." I think it necessary we do that very thing. It is immeasurably inspirational and satisfying in the best sense to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances." It is as though we are enveloped by a teaching much bigger and better than we are. We have tapped into a stream of living water and it really and truly feels good! In reality it is doubtful we do anything completely free from self-interest. Otherwise, we would be sacrificing our personhood, given to us by the Father, and intended to be molded after the one who gave his life for us. Who and what we are is at stake and that is preciously powerful.
Are we dealing with indoctrination? If we are, it seems to me we have to label it "necessary and vital." In a sense, the faith is transmitted by indoctrination that includes commands in addition to the Ten Commandments. Saint Paul is a great teacher and his rabbinical skills show in his writings. In a magnificent way such requirements are given birth by a spiritual dynamic that propels them into our midst for consideration! His people are already a part of God's kingdom. What they need now is "apostolic instruction" to carry them forward. It is training that is "basic" and promises more than the world can ever give. While they may never have noticed it, they were very privileged to have been taught by a brilliant practitioner of the ancient faith.
2. In capsule form we are given the ingredients for successful living.
The birth of a single baby boy launches a more complete way of living out our lives. In a way, we discover an evolution of vast and permanent proportions is taking place. This Jewish child, who became immersed in a Judaism of truly fascinating value, "fulfills the Law." It is a complicated relationship with those who cling to Moses and the prophets and yet the reality is quite simple. We are called through Christ's revelation to live in a certain way and that can — for the most part — be put in a capsule. In some respects, it is almost like holding these priceless gems in our hands and gazing upon them.
To my knowledge, American culture has always said we are born to be successful. It is even maintained that the Puritans thought anyone who wasn't a success was either lazy or sinful! Of course, we have definitely tended to see and measure success in monetary or other material ways. This very strong part of our psyche has led to some living that has not only been unhappy, but even disastrous. Failure after failure can be seen for anyone to observe. This is not judgmental; it is a way of knowing people by their fruits. One of our monumental problems in America is having the strength and fortitude to unlearn what we have been taught about success. It appears we have been inflicted by a persistent ailment: You must succeed "the American way" or indeed you have failed.
The apostle maintains "this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." So, in a pointed way he seeks to convey the road to living that is successful. It transcends the common and well-worn path of a secular world that aids and abets misery born of a misunderstanding. The ages and our history speak often, and sometimes in picturesque ways, of the tragedy of turning one's back on a few words geared to set us straight with the Father. Is there any doubt in human sin and the desperate need of a Savior? Isn't it shockingly amazing the way even professing Christians have refused to follow such a simple and practical teaching? How can humankind be so stupid? Yet, but for the grace of God there go you and I!
Those men and women who cook, know about ingredients. Mess up a little and you can have something indescribable. Mess up a lot and you run the risk of total embarrassment. It is likewise true in our spiritual lives, as we seek to be successful in God's sight. The Christian life requires flesh-and-blood living. Anything less reduces it to propositions that give enjoyable moments of mental gymnastics but little in pulsating behavior that elevates the Christ. There is an enormous and crucial difference between Christianity that stops in attitude with Good Friday and one that celebrates the Resurrection and all that follows. Our dear Lord is the chef and Saint Paul is the waiter. Taste and see that is good!
3. It is in the give and take of living that saints are born.
During my doctoral program, a special and lasting lesson was learned. Simply stated: Preachers must be in touch with the living concerns of their parishioners in order to be effective. The finest homiletical and theological works of art will fall on deaf ears, unless such concerns are addressed. Paul must have been an expert at correcting this! By his own admission, he was not much of an orator and hardly an average speaker. What he did understand was the necessity of being in touch with the overt and latent pressing interests of his people. He knows firsthand how saints were born.
Take out spiritual formation and discipleship and what do we have? Well, if our emphasis is the academic and theoretical, most likely we produce people who are stunted in their spiritual growth. Flesh and blood participation, yes, and immersion in people's lives — in time — mean so much to others. Granted, there must be a balance to our ministries, but let us never skirt the issue of the joys and sorrows of humankind, as lived day-by-day. The text is very clear about practicality in the parish and beyond. Some preaching is geared toward excellence in a narrow professional sense. We must be professional but always being sure we are assisting our people in their lives, so they can become more like Jesus the Christ. We preach to and for others, not merely to impress in wrong ways.
"Saints" was a rather common term in the ancient church. To live as the apostle suggests and requires, a lofty level of living those outside of the faith could hardly miss. "Giving thanks in all circumstances" was something most unique in a world of rudeness and crudeness. Someone must be out of his/her mind to live that way! Of course, how many people do you know who would agree with the ancients? My guess is that a very large number of people would insist on the sheer impracticality of it. It's a fine idea but it won't work in a real honest-to-goodness world. We serious-minded Christians have been in that bind for years. The world tells us in many ways that we should provide instruction that will work.
Like Advent, Paul's teaching is intended to be in preparation for the coming of the Lord. We are to be "blameless at the coming of our Lord." Whether we are looking to the first or second arrival of this God/man, our calling is to be in a period of preparing to greet him on bended knees. We have anticipated him and our readiness for the event will be manifest to the Savior of humankind. If it is the manger scene, our task is clear. If it is his appearing in the clouds, our task is also quite clear. Don't be caught unprepared! The utmost seriousness of this cannot be underestimated. However, by way of a precaution, we are counseled to "test everything." Remember, when he did not return in the first century, some Christians were caught off guard.
4. The beautiful spiritual life can be awesomely simple.
The Amish people are both striking and remarkable. This is especially evident among the "old order" group. Having served churches in northern Indiana, their presence was often a joy to me. The horses and buggies sometimes seemed to inundate the countrysides. The plainness of their attire was an inspiration to many of us. It wasn't that they were without problems. In fact, some of their youth from time to time were singled out for their rowdiness and intemperate drinking. However, the overall impression certainly seemed positive. Few people poked fun at them and many admired them. Along with Paul, their priorities were clear.
The call to us is not to be anti-intellectual and irrational. It is one that bulldozes away the debris of impractical theology that tends either to appeal to the ego only or a certain onesideness, freezing out the easy to understand. Granted, there may be those who find this a veiled attempt to put down time-honored theological education. That in no shape or form is my purpose. Falling in love with the finer points of in-depth study of religious doctrines is not inherently evil. But if that is all there is to one's life, the problems of genuine Christian practice can become colossal. After all, a simpleton can be just a simpleton and reflect little or no understanding of Pauline teaching! There is always the dilemma of leaning too far in any direction.
Untold numbers grew up on the pithy saying "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so." While many of us smile at the rudimentary nature of these words, there is a mysterious way in which they provide both an entrée and closing to our lives. Indeed, spiritual living at the highest levels can be both awesome and simple at the same time. In parishes across our land there are those devoted Christian soldiers who know little beyond the necessities of which Paul speaks but they do them. They also know what it is to experience them at work! Is this a means of elevating uninformed and misinformed souls who mean well? Quite the contrary, it is a way of accepting Jesus' invitation to be like children.
There is a radiance to some people, isn't there? Their faces glow. Their eyes are bright. Their smile is infectious. Their gait is noticeably confident. Perhaps there are not as many as we would like, but they are among us. We only have to be alert, sensitive, and observant. The magnificence of the apostolic instruction before us really calls us to newer depths of behavior, built upon profound understanding of the gospel witness. The preciousness, vitality, and wholesomeness are there for all to see. Such people do not set out to impress anyone, especially their Lord! It is with the abiding of the Holy Spirit that their gift is presented to be appreciated and imitated. There is such a naturalness to all of this it can escape our full attentions. May God forbid!
Summary And Conclusion
To share and absorb one of the most colorful and yet profound passages in Holy Scripture is a blessing in numerous ways. The various opportunities for good it spontaneously created give us a peek into the unlimited storehouse of the blessed Lord. The formula is there. It is not the entirety of the gospel message but it is imperative to an abundant life here and now. Can it be this has escaped vast multitudes, even in the churches? I strongly suspect the answer has to be in the affirmative. The numerous one-syllable words that come to us greet us much like prized roses in a garden filled with many varieties of flowers that are attractive but at a closer look are mostly lackluster.
Saint Paul places his lesson, leading to victorious living, squarely before us. To every age his challenging invitation bids us to accept and practice ideas emerging from his relationship with Jesus the Christ. By now, some of us are probably saying to one another by look and/or word, let's give it a try. He is like that in most of his writings — and in effect — is proclaiming, "Well, come on let's get with the program." Even as this highly motivating message is considered, we dare not miss the concluding part of the text. Recall, "May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely." He is well aware of the goal present and the fruition of practicing what he preaches. Try it, you will like it, now and forevermore. Our spirit, soul, and body are to be kept sound. Amen.