Mission Faithwalk

          Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.   Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ( Ephesians 5:31-32)            Some people think I’m a strong person. Some people think you’re a strong person. Some people think I’m a flaming idiot. Some think you’re a flaming idiot. The issue here isn’t whether I or you are actually strong or flaming idiots. We’re not talking about reality. We’re discussing perceptions. The reality is that we are both flaming idiots and strong. To the extent that we are perceived as being strong, we’re seen as not needing kindness (lending others your strength) or compassion (pity, assistance.) To the extent we’re seen as flaming idiots, we don’t deserve kindness (Oh, maybe a minimum of politeness, but not kindness) or compassion. If we don’t march in goose-step with...

          As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.   Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.   Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)            We’re thinking about the “one anothers” of the New Testament, but let’s pause that for a   moment to consider another phrase. “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” In literature, especially fantasy literature, there’s the notion of “the chosen one.” Proper care must be observed here because it’s easy to step over the line from what I’m talking about to what I’m not. So, as some folks have put it, let me explain what I’m not talking about with “the chosen one.”           In our case, it doesn’t refer to our being the Messiah. Jesus was that Chosen On...

          You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.   For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:13-15)           We’re free to do as we wish! But we’re not. In our culture, I often hear “I can do whatever I want,” or “I should be able to do whatever I want.” The provisos are often added, “…as long as nobody gets hurt,” and “…consenting adults.” It all sounds good, but there are unstated provisos to the provisos. As long as nobody gets hurt as they define “hurt,” and consenting adults as they define adults in the specific situation.” And often, a key is intent . They didn’t mean for their casual sex partner to get an STD, but he/she did, and if it happen...

  Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.   Greet one another with a holy kiss.   (II Corinthians 13:11-12)           In some ways, today’s topic is the opposite of yesterday’s. Instead of attacking one another and publicly declare bad things about each other, we are to encourage each other. To follow the etymology back, we are to put courage in others, which means to put heartedness into one another.           One of the descriptions of King David was that he was a man after God’s own heart. His son, Solomon was accused of not serving God with his whole heart. That doesn’t mean that everything David did was right, but even in his wrongdoings, he didn’t abandon God. When his wrongdoing was brought before him, he repented. S...

          If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?   Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?   Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!   Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?   I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?   But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!          The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?   Instea...

            I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with  one   another  in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.   What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (I Corinthians 1:10-12)            Who do you follow? Who’s your favorite pastor? What denomination are you? Today’s passage seems to suggest that denominations and even having different favorite pastors is wrong. Instead, we should have the Church at (insert your hometown.) There is a sense – the sense that Paul is writing about – in which this is very true. This church, that denomination, ...

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. (Romans 16:16) Especially considering the specter of the Coronavirus, I am going to suggest that our holy “kisses” need not be an application of lips to cheek. The same level of greeting in our society can and does include hugs, handshakes, and fist bumps (which are a breed of handshakes.) There are two key ideas to consider. The first is that whatever our greeting is, it should be holy. I might be taking it to extremes here, but it’s close to the sort of kiss you’d give your boss’ wife while he is jealously watching. This isn’t about friendship with benefits. Most of us know this, but anymore, it’s dangerous to take anything for granted. The second idea is that it is supposed to signal friendship that does have benefits. Those greeted with a holy kiss are considered members of the body. They’re to be treated as “one of us.” Whatever you think of as an appropriate greeting to give parents you lov...