From the Pastor

NO DOUBT!

In recent prayer reflection, I have been meditating on how spirituality and human behavior sometimes converge and sometimes are at odds. What do I mean by that? We know that our Christian values come up against our culture. A Christian finds herself at odds with what people think and say. For example, the Christian resists using language that one would call ‘earthy’. Other ways of being at odds to what folks do in our daily work setting routines would be the practice of behavior that a Christian typically displays. The believer in that work setting resists spreading rumors or talking in a negative way about another.

Now let us confess that we all catch ourselves saying or doing something out of character. At our weakest moments we will practice those things that are contrary to the faith we profess. That is why Paul, the Apostle writes – I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing that I hate (Romans 7:15). Later in the same chapter Paul writes that he is a wretched man because of the ‘law of sin’ in his being and therefore his behavior. But he at the same time gives thanks to God for the power of the Holy Spirit in him to defeat these weaknesses that are part of us.

The New Testament Letter of James, in the fourth chapter, we read about another presentation on this inner struggle. James writes – Unfaithful creatures! Do you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4). James then appeals to believers to draw near to God. With imperatives he teaches to not speak evil or do evil to others. Those who are humble recognize that God working in us to make us more in the image of Christ.

This is the foundational understanding of the way we are to live. It is by the resources of God’s Spirit in us and grace that sustains us. No doubt God is working in us. No doubt God’s grace is helping us through days when we might fail in our weakness. No doubt we need this resource in order to be those who portray a different way to live. It is our positive attitude that marks us as those who live by a different standard.

We must take this one step further! Up to this point, my words are a nice presentation of a Bible teaching on being a positive witness and in humility letting the Spirit of Christ work through us. Just about all believers would agree to this. Next comes the hard part. It is in the application of this teaching that we are challenged. Saying that we should be nice to others is one thing. It is in the doing nice things that is hard for us to do.

Perhaps I did not see it before. Maybe I did not notice. But lately I am observing a new attitude here at Grace Church. Well! The attitude displayed may not really be new; rather it is that positive and loving behavior that marks us as Christians that I am observing. It is that sense of fellowship that Christians call Koinonia, a word taken from the Greek language to portray people who have a loving attitude toward one another thanks to the love of God in us. There is a willingness to see things differently, to be open to change, and to even pray about it. The people of Grace Church are taking this matter more seriously!

Again I say, no doubt God is working in us. Our positive energy can be contagious. It reminds me of a recent TV commercial that promotes acts of kindness. You may have seen it! A man observes a person helping a person get up after falling; he then finds himself letting someone else pull into a lane of traffic. The point of the commercial is that our positive acts of kindness do affect others, and they in turn will carry on the positive energy generated. At Grace Church we are practicing this positive energy and are living it out in a positive way. Let us seek for God to continue to guide us and grow us in this gracious way to live and love. Pastor Liddick.