Tag: the apostle paul

The Unity We Already Have

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The unity of Christ’s Church – that is the essential interrelatedness of all who confess Christ as Lord – is an inescapable reality brought about by God through the Head of that Church, Jesus Christ. Paul, in his letter to Christians in Ephesus, takes it for granted that Christ’s prayer for Christian unity (John 17:20-21) has been answered when he writes: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) It is that unity which followers of Jesus celebrate on World Communion Sunday, the first weekend in October each year.
world communion sunday

Yet it is apparent to even the most casual observer that Christians are not of one mind and practice. The body of Christ is divided on the interpretation of Scripture, on styles of worship, on the essentials of faithful discipleship, social justice, and involvement in politics – to name but a few issues. How then can we profess that we are “all one?” (John 17: 21)

Christian unity is an existential unity, not one based on consent. It does not rest on human opinion; it rests on the work of God’s redemptive work in Christ. Those who are among the redeemed are by definition in relationship with all others whom Christ has redeemed. We are in relationship with other Christians in somewhat the same way our heart is in relationship with our hands, eyes, feet and other organs. Organs cannot simultaneously function autonomously and remain part of an integrated body. Neither do all organs look the same or function in the same manner. Integrated, interdependent diversity is what being an organism is all about!

This scriptural and traditional view of the church as an organic body differs radically from a secularly influenced perspective which holds that the church is merely a collection of autonomous individuals gathered together for a common purpose. From the latter perspective the fact that Christians are “not all on the same page” when it comes to matters of faith and life makes celebrating Christian unity on World Communion Sunday difficult. If you are struggling with this issue, I would encourage you to attempt viewing things from a different perspective. See the church through the eyes of Christ. Trust in the leadership of Christ and join with him in the prayer that we might be one. Pray for the wisdom for the church to see that difference need not imply disunity.

Avoiding Spiritual Groundhog Day Syndrome

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groundhog dayIn the 1993 fantasy comedy Groundhog Day, actor Bill Murray plays the role of a judgmental, egotistical weatherman named Phil Connors. While covering groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s annual weather prediction, Murray’s character finds himself trapped in a time loop in which he forever relives the second day of February. Only when Connors re-examines his priorities and motivation is he freed from an endless cycle of repetition. Compassionate consideration of others is key to Connors’ redemption and release.

Such insights are not new. Two millennia ago, St. Paul realized personal inner-change precedes cultural or institutional change. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul pleaded with followers of Jesus not to allow themselves to be conformed to the ways of their society, but rather to allow God to transform and renew their patterns of thought and behavior. Paul writes:

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

(Romans 12: 9-18)

Whenever we deplore the state of society or despair over the health of the church, we might best begin by contemplating ways in which our own inner transformation and growth could pave the way for God’s action. As in the movie Groundhog Day, in our own lives outward change comes only after the inner, spiritual work is done. Real life diverges from the movie fantasy in that we aren’t blessed with infinity of days; there’s a greater urgency surrounding our inner work.

Here are a few questions to ponder in your spiritual journey as an individual and in our spiritual journey as a congregation committed to following our Lord, Jesus Christ:

  • What priorities and motivations trap me in a cycle of spiritual “numbness” or “sameness?”
  • How might I allow God to transform and renew my mind?
  • How would committing to live each day according to St. Paul’s spiritual recommendations change congregational life; life at home, school or work; or American society?

A musical adaption of the movie Groundhog Day is scheduled to premiere in March of this year. Hopefully, we all will have made progress in breaking free of our own cycles of spiritual sameness.

– Pastor Derek French

Advice and a Challenge for Followers of Jesus

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Recently, I read the news online to catch up on world events; instantly I wished I had not. Have you had a similar experience? You want to be well informed, but when you turn on the television or surf the ‘net’ you find yourself awash in stories of corruption, political rancor, and human tragedy. In short order, you may find yourself either feeling numb to human suffering or depressed and resigned to the sorry state of the world.

Whatever commands our emotional and mental attention profoundly shapes our understanding and experience of life. We are what we think as much as what we eat. Our thoughts affect how we understand the world and ourselves and influence how we interact with others. That is why it is vitally important that we each be aware of our thought process and its personal, social, and spiritual implications.

This insight is not new. Two thousand years ago the apostle Paul addressed the issue when he wrote the following advice to members of the congregation in Philippi, a city named after the father of Alexander the Great.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Paul’s letter to the Philippians 4:8-9)

With these words, Paul urges followers of Jesus to take responsibility for their thoughts as well
as their words and actions. He understood that the vitality of the congregation at Philippi, the
effectiveness of their Christian witness, and the capacity for individual spiritual growth were all
either nurtured or hampered by whatever occupied members’ minds. The same holds true for us at East Hills Moravian Church.

Here’s the challenge:

  1. Become aware of what you think and take responsibility for your thought patterns.
  2. In your own life and in our life together as a community of faith, what is true, honorable,
    just, pure, pleasing, commendable, or excellent?
  3. If you feel comfortable doing so, why not share your awareness of these blessings with someone else?
  4. Make a commitment not to give power to negativity. Do not invest yourself emotionally or
    mentally in negative thoughts. Allow your own negative thoughts to pass through your mind quickly without judgment or comment. (When you try to resist negative thoughts actively, you may find that they get “stuck” – that is you obsess.) Extend the same grace towards others who express negative opinions. Hear them out, but neither affirm their negativity nor engage them in a struggle over it.

– Pastor Derek French