Mission Faithwalk

               Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)                 First, to be very clear, this isn’t a call for “us” to make the interest of everyone on Earth more important or more valid than ours. It addresses our behavior toward other Christians in our community. This is not to say that we should never look to the interest of non-Christians. It simply means that doing so is not the same as looking to the interest of our fellow-believers, and not as high a priority. It also does not mean believing, saying, feeling, or doing whatever someone wants us to. Looking to the interest of another can mean confronting them about what they believe, say, feel, or do with both love and truth.    ...

                  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:3-5)                 For those of us who are older, or have been attending church longer, we tend to read the first sentence and agree. Yes, those are standard “big sins” that should be avoided. We may not have as much against them personally as we might, but they’re the traditional things to avoid. But then the passage says “Nor should there be…” and things get a little more difficult. No obscenity? No foolish talk? No...

                    Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)                 Wisdom and understanding don’t really happen without activity.  You do something stupid, fall, and hurt yourself and if you gain wisdom, you understand that you shouldn’t do that stupid thing. You might learn the same by watching someone else go through the process, but too often, we take their failure as a challenge. “They did it wrong, we will do it right/better . ”                 If we are wise, we should show it, not by impressing others with our wisdom, but by doing what is right. Doing something stupid or wrong doesn’t help you or anyone else. Perhaps more importantly, according to James, wi...

                 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord . (Proverbs 16:2) “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1) Generally, we think that this means all a person’s ways seem purely right or good to them. I suspect that it’s often true. But a person’s ways can also seem purely worthless, evil, hopeless, etc. The point is that our estimation of what we have done and who we are is often so like the story of the size of the fish that got away. We can’t imagine that our perceptions are skewed. This thing we care about is important! And it is, but part of what is important to us is being seen as what we think is good. God sees what we do, and He not only knows what we’re doing but why we do it. If we do things to look good to others or for their praise, and we get that praise, we...

                 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy compIt lete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-2) United: 1) Made one, …3) being in agreement  ( UNITED Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster ) According to this passage, we are united with Christ and share in the Spirit. Is there any reason to reject the idea that "united" and "common sharing" are different in any substantial way? One might say that common sharing is the means of being united.  Of course, my automatic reaction to this idea is to pull out the examination table and evaluate whether  I am functionally united with Christ. And I suspect I’m equally concerned in either direction. I want to be united with Christ. I know that it is a good ...

                    Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (I Peter 3:3-4)                 Technically, these verses concern wives, but young, unmarried women may grow up to be wives, and older widows provide examples for younger women to model. In addition, there are men who are into outward adornment, elaborate hairstyles, and fine clothes. Somehow, I doubt Paul would tell younger, older, or male clotheshorses to ramp it up while wives to rein it in.                 I also doubt that the teaching that applies to clothing would...