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the rule > sections 4-5
4. For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
a. We are parts of one another. That should say it all. Know at all times that you were not created to be alone, to act alone or to exist only for yourself. Recognize the Body. Always consciously see yourself as a part of that whole. This community is the every-day tangible expression of that Body for us. It is where we live out our union with Christ. Be intentional in giving your gifts to the Body of whom you are a part. Whatever it may be, be that, give that.5. Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.
b. As you give your gifts, though, don't show off. Once again, don't think of yourself as more than you are. Don't put yourself onpedestaltle to be viewed as important and special. Simply be who you are, honestly and genuinely and that gift of you will enrich the community without it being made something that it is not. I say it again. Don't push your agenda. Don't push yourself.
c. As a footnote to the statement above, "Simply be who you are, honestly and genuinely and that gift of you will enrich the community..." - I want to add this: Do not take "be who you are" to be a full blessing of who you might be at the present time. I mean to say that who you are or who I am, in some serious ways, may need to change. The simple statement "be who you are" can be taken to mean we are fine just the way we are and we have no need for transformation or the life that gives way to it. None of us, remember this, are fine the way we are. We are all in need of deep transformative work in order to become who and what we were created to be. The intention of that statement is to call for humility, sober estimation, a proper understanding of who we are and what we have to give, and of course, a call to recognize who you are in Christ and to allow yourself to be that person in the community.
a. Do not play at love. Be genuine in your love for one another. Be honest. If, in loving, we do that which is evil in order to avoid real, honest love, we become a fracture in the life of the community. We make the vessel leaky. So make sure that your love is real, genuine, and honest.
b. To hate what is evil is not merely to become a moralist - to become one who goes about stating as much as possible what is evil and what is not. It is not to become one who is afraid of darkness. To hate evil is to recognize Love. When we see Love, the Love that is in God, we will recognize, by default, that which is not Love - that which is evil. To hate evil is to embrace Love. Hold on to what is good, it says. Grab hold of Love, of good, of God and your hands will be too full for evil. Hate evil because it harms Love, not because there is some law that forbids some thing or action.
c. Don't simply receive love from others, always being the one to take and never to give. This is not to see that you are a vessel of God like the rest. In the same way, don't be the one who always only gives love and never receives. Maybe we should use the word "help." Don't help everyone and always say no when it comes to anyone helping you. This is to see yourself as the only vessel and the others as less than you. It is pride. Bend yourself and accept help. Mutual affection, it said, not simply, "show affection." Again, we are a Body, all of us together. Let us live that way.
d. Practically, do this by showing honor to one another - it is also translated "respect." Be intentional about it, but do not do this in order to get respect in return. Love loves because it is love, not in order to get payback. In your hearts and minds as well as in your words and actions, do not show yourself to be waiting for a harvest of honor for having sewn honor. Honor and respect because you love, not for gain. Listen to what I'm saying. You know what I mean.
| posted by + Alan | 7:01 PM |
4 comments
i like it... and, im wondering if the following quote is theologically sound: Hey man. Thanks for the input. I think we do differ on this point. I don't buy the WinnGrifian idea that we don't have resident charisms from the Spirit, given to us to use or not use. I actually think that might do damage to a high view of the Human person as created in the Image of God. If we're "merely" a hose through which Spirit-water is flowing, then we are, implicitly, not being incorporated into the Nature of God, but only being picked up and used for His purposes and then put back down. your right we disagree, but at least now i know where :) Hi Alan, By Murray Hogg, at
4:38 AM 4 Comments:
"As you give your gifts, though, don't show off. Once again, don't think of yourself as more than you are. Don't put yourself onpedestaltle to be viewed as important and special. Simply be who you are, honestly and genuinely and that gift of you will enrich the community without it being made something that it is not"
i suppose i would have to challenge it... i mean it's your rule but i think it infers that the gifts are ours, rather than the spirits. kinda the take that we don't have the "gift of prophecy", when were not prophesying
my $.02 would be something that hinted at this... although i don't like the wording you get what i mean probably
"As you open yourself to be lead by the Spirit offer the community the Spirits gifts, though, don't show off. Once again, don't think of yourself as more than you are just because the Spirit is using you. Don't put yourself on a pedestal to be viewed as important and special. Simply be who you are, honestly and genuinely and that gift of the spirit will enrich the community without it being made something that it is not"
does that make sense? or have i butchered your words?
btw i think its so cool your writing this.
The New Covenant notion of the resident Holy Spirit in our Spirits is more what I hint at I guess. As that Spirit resides in us, giving us Life and transforming us into Himself, we are given gifts as People like Jesus, who are in union with the Father. So, I'm definitely not saying we are the source of the gifts. They are a part of His Life Essence in us. But I am saying that we have them. Now, I may prophesy, or I may be "a prophet." There's a difference. One is given in a time and place as not resident, one is woven into the person.
We may still slightl disagree. I guess that's allowed. I was saying what I meant to say though. I'm big on Us being and becoming Humans with a capital H - like Jesus - not simply followers of His religion, but People like Him in reality. So, for me to talk about "our gifts" etc. IS to talk about God for we cannot and would not have them if not for and from HIM. It is through our union with Him and His Life that they are a part of us. Anyway, thanks for commenting. Miss you guys. Peace and Grace to you!
when you getting your butt out here from some icy, sunless, freezing winter snow fest? doesn't it sound like fun... hey we could at least go ice fishin.
miss u2 cya
e
I like the emphasis upon consciously living as the body of Christ. It's a particular challenge for those of us called to think in the name of Christ. All too often our theologising is very centred on our own agendas, rather than on those of Christ or his church.
My own blog has only just gotten off the ground, but you might like to take a look at what use I made of part 4.a. of the rule. The permalink is http://muzhogg.customer.netspace.net.au/2005/10/we-are-parts-of-one-another.html.
Hope that publishes okay!
Personally, I'm very interested in working around epistemological issues in theology - and I think that the two areas in which modernist theology has probably been weak has been with regard to the role of the Holy Spirit and the role of the Christian community in constructing our theology.
I hope the blog can say something constructive about these issues in future.