A sweetness...

The Bible is filled with interesting metaphors. This text from St. Paul contains two metaphors:

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” (I Corinthians 2:14).

The first metaphor is of a victorious general leading his troops in a triumphal procession with the spoils of war following behind. Followers of Jesus are the captives who are making up the spoils of the battle Jesus won on the Cross over evil. Philip E. Hughes describes the truth this way: “We who were God’s former enemies (Romans 5:11) have been overcome and taken captive by Him and are led and displayed by Him to the world, not just on one passing occasion, but everywhere and everyday” (p. 78). Anyone who has experienced the power of the the transformation of the Gospel is a trophy of God’s grace. God loves to parade his trophies to the world. Walk proudly as one of Christ’s captive!

The second metaphor is also from the triumphal entry of the general to the city. While the procession of soldiers and captives went through the streets sweet perfumes were released through the burning of spices. The aroma of victory enhanced the celebration. St. Paul argues that followers of Jesus are bearers of the sweetness of knowledge of Christ. This knowledge is not merely facts of the Good News but the reality of the spiritual unity of Christ and his followers. What kind of sweet aroma do you and I live in our world?

Ronald Friesen © 2015

Create more room in your heart...

Forgiveness is a very powerful tool of transformation; unforgiveness is an equally powerful tool of destruction. St. Paul said it this way:

“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

Many people do not give much credence to a belief in Satan. Believe in a being called Satan or not, I think we can all agree that evil exists in the world and many times it is embodied in structures and people who wreck great havoc in the universe. Scott Peck outlined examples of this evil in People of the Lie.

St. Paul says that when we withhold forgiveness, we unwittingly become part of the evil in the world. Why is this?  Because unforgiveness is about keeping a record of the wrongs done toward us. If we are intent on keeping a record of wrongs, we become consumed with checking the accounting book. Forgiveness upsets the ledger of right and wrong and resets the bookkeeping which sets us free to give our attention to other important issues and people in our lives. We only have so much room in our heart and minds, we decide how much room we are going to rent out when we continue on a path of unforgiveness.

Ronald Friesen © 2105

Doubters welcome....

Doubt is a normal part of life. Some people think that doubt is the antithesis of faith. Some of the negative attitude toward doubt is found in the Gospels where Jesus is often heard saying to his disciples, “You of little of faith!” Many years ago, I learned that doubt is not the opposite of faith, it is the half-way house on the way to faith. Many of us live in doubt’s half-way house. I have learned to be kind to those who take residence in the half-way house because the gospel record of Jesus’ ministry records how doubters stood among the crowd of Jesus at his ascension. Here standing in front of these doubters was Jesus with his nail-scarred hands and feet, yet, they doubted. Jesus does not offer one word of criticism (Matthew 28:17). I have found myself among those standing with Jesus many times in my life.

St. Paul recognized that doubt was a struggle for many disciples. He offers these words to strugglers:

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Over the years I have met many people who have found much comfort from this truth. For these folks, the reality of Christ is so powerful that they find all of their doubts answered in Christ. If you are having some doubts, I invite you to ask God to show you how you can find your “Yes” in Christ.

Ronald Friesen © 2015