Epiphany Week 5

Psalm: Psalm 147:1-11 
Old Testament: Isaiah 40:21-31 
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

This week we continue the theme from Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He elaborates on the responsibility we have to our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you remember last week, we briefly discussed that if we do something that causes someone else to sin, then, in fact, we also are sinning in the eyes of Christ. He takes this even farther in our verses today when he writes, "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more." (verse 19) Not only do we refrain from things that cause our siblings in Christ to sin, but we adapt to others so that we can lead them to Christ. This brings up a number of questions: do we adapt so far that we live a life of sin so we can "fit in?" Or do we have no center so that we are always changing like a chameleon?

Let's take each question individually. To what extent do we adapt? This is kind of a difficult question and one we all must wrestle with individually and in each context. Paul says that to those under the Law, he lives as though under the Law. And to those not under the Law he lives as one not under the Law. He is aware of his freedom and identity in Christ, so is ok with these type of changes. But I don't think he means that we should live lives of sin so that we can relate to sinners. Remember in places like Romans 6 he writes, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (6:1-2) We adapt, we change language, use different metaphors, we sing choruses or hymns, have church on Saturday night or Sunday morning, our pastors' wear suits or jeans, etc. I think these are the types of things Paul was talking about. He is not talking about becoming a thief so we can minister to thieves, or a pimp so we can relate to pimps. But, if by changing our clothes or language we can get them to listen and maybe observe how we live for the sake of Christ, then it is ok.

What about the second issue; do we change so much that no one knows who we are, including ourselves? Perhaps this one is harder to answer and one we each must wrestle with and find who we are in Christ and what he is calling us to. Sometimes, it does mean a radical change. We can move, learn a language, change our clothes, and enter into a new culture as ministers. In this case, for the sake of Christ, we are changing much of our external looks and interactions. Other times, the changes are subtle; maybe we talk more about sports or crafts with different people, and other times we just need to listen and be quiet. Kind of what he is talking about is just being a good friend to different types of people and knowing how to interact with others. But the goal for Paul in these interactions, with believers and non-believers alike, is that they would see Christ when they interact with us. And Christ is our center. Externally things may change, but our identity in Christ remains the core that guides us. So no matter where we are or who we are with, Christ is seen through us.

The last 2 weeks, I think, we have dealt with concepts that we in America, or perhaps just people in general, don't like to think about and apply to our own lives. The implications are so radical. It means we can't drink alcohol if it is a problem for others. It means that what we wear matters. Skirts and shirts that are so revealing they cause others to sin, also cause the wearer to sin. It means that I have to care how the products I buy were made. Were the farmers or manufacturers hurt or impoverished by what I am now consuming? Is it more important that I get the cheapest most convenient product or that in their creation they didn't lead to injustice. These are just a few examples I saw and thought of walking around the grocery store today, but there are countless others.

God is calling us to look outside of ourselves and overcome our pride and look into relationships defined by love in Christ. I think this is something we are all working on. Our ego is always trying to pull us in the exact opposite direction. But in the power of Christ, through his Spirit, and to the glory of the Father, may we live faithfully to the life we are called.

Grace and Peace.