May 2008 Letter
You can tell a lot about a person from their friends. That is true for Jesus too. Most people outside the church form their views about him from those who call themselves Christians.
At the church’s annual meeting last month, the reading was from Colossians chapter three verses 12–17. In those verses the apostle Paul is deeply concerned about how the Christian community lives. God’s chosen people, as he calls them, emphasising the privilege of our calling, are to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. They are to bear with each other, forgive as God has forgiven them and, above all else, to put on love (continuing his clothing metaphor).
This is because the gospel is not just a theological truth or abstract good news. It is embedded in community, demonstrated and lived out by those who hold to it. The salt of the earth are also the light of the world. The Holy Spirit changes not just individuals but also whole groups of people, as we see in the Acts of the Apostles. Indeed, the gospel is about creating God’s new community.
The new life that Christ brings is demonstrated above all in relationships. The calling is not just to love those who are like us. Love begins at the point of disagreement. That is where our commitment to each other is proved. In a fragmented society, the church can demonstrate unity. In a world where people grumble, criticise and bear resentment, Christian people can be encouraging, kind and forgiving. It’s not easy, often it goes against our natural instincts, but it is a mark of God at work by his Spirit.
After telling the Colossians what they are to be, Paul goes on to what they are to do. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” At the annual meeting we touched on the priorities and targets for the year ahead. But on their own, those things are just events and activities. Our service is to be a grateful and joyful response to God’s grace to us, doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
April 30, 2008 at 12:03 pm | From the Rector | No comment