A Change of View…
Remember that scene in Dead Poet’s Society when the teacher has the entire class stand on their desks to get a different point of view? I’m not saying we should try that right now – but the concept is certainly worth looking at.
For too long the only perspective many in Church have had on religion is sitting in orderly rows, obeying the properly printed and approved worship order, in the bulletin that is dutifully handed out pre-service. While that perspective is important (I’ll never say weekly attendance is not important), sticking with only one view forever can become problematic.
When we start talking about bad things (like our sermon series has done for two weeks now, click here for those) our complacent point of view keeps us from seeing things as they really are. This world is shockingly temporary. Yet we hold so tightly to it. We understand that we are to: “Store up treasures in heaven…” but we continue to amass stuff in storage units. We accept blessings upon blessings from God – but when that road is marked with suffering, we immediately backtrack to an easier path.
Do you really think Paul would have signed up for his mission and life post-Damascus Road moment if he had heard what God had told Ananias about him prior? Read Acts 9: 10 – 16 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (NIV)
Verse 16 gives a preview of Paul’s future: suffering. Suffering is going to be a part of living in this world. Suffering is NOT going to be a part of the world we are promised upon death in Christ. Let us live this life as citizens of Heaven. Let us not avoid suffering or inconvenience here, they are temporary.
Colossians 3: 1 – 10 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (NIV)