Monthly Archives: February 2015

Good Works – Hide ’em or Show ’em?

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You may have seen the Liberty Mutual “Pay it Forward” commercial where people witness a “random act of kindness” and then do an act of kindness for a stranger. LifeVestInsideYou can watch it using the link below.

I had not seen the “Life Vest Inside” campaign – a nonprofit dedicated to teaching, promoting and supporting acts of kindness as a remedy to bullying and hatred.

I thought this was a pretty cool campaign, and it got me to thinking about what Jesus said about the importance of doing good works, and the risks. Good works can draw other people toward God. They can also be a stumbling block for ourselves and others if we get wrapped up in taking credit for the good we did, or think that doing good = being good.

15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Mt 5)

3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Mt 6)

These two passages appear to be in tension, if not in direct contradiction. Should we let other people see our good works, or not? Part of our Lenten journey is to wrestle with these two ideas. If we don’t let others see the good work being done, then we are not setting an example for them to follow (1 Cor 11:1). Nor will we be able to join together with other people of peace, whatever their faith, spirituality or religion.

Our worth is rooted in God. It begins and ends with the reality that we are made in God’s image for relationships of covenant love with God, others, creation and self. We are beloved.

Liberty Mutual Pay it ForwardEven so, we are called to care for one another, both spontaneously, as these videos illustrate, and with intentionality, planning and great commitment. There was nothing random about God’s acts of kindness in Jesus Christ. During Lent let us explore how we might encourage both types of Good works, all for God’s glory. What might God be asking us to do? How might we serve those around us?

http://youtu.be/L5ya8J-jyK4

Connecting the dots – Law, Freedom, Identity, Compassion

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Connecting the Dots

Over the last few weeks we have been thinking about our identity in Christ. Because we are in Christ we are no longer living according to the written laws of God. Instead, we are guided internally by the Spirit of God, which guided those who first wrote down the scriptures. So we follow the spirit if not the letter of the law. This is more difficult, and requires more of us – it is harder, not easier, to live out this kind of righteousness. It requires that we seek continual fellowship with God in Christ – only then can the Spirit guide us. It also requires a community of likeminded people who are walking the same path and will agree to mutual accountability.

We then explored the way that Jesus calls us IN our identity, and respects who we are individually and culturally. When we call others to follow him, or come together with those who already are, we must do likewise. That means recognizing and respecting the background and experiences of each person – as a whole person. Christ will transform them. We don’t need to change them. We are created for wholeness. Our Identity can become our opportunity, but only if along the way we don’t try to remake other people in our image.

Compassion for others informs and energizes our ministry. We “treat others as we want to be treated.” We realize that we already “suffer with” (the meaning of “com-passion”) as co-humans. Life is difficult. There is plenty of pain and sorrow to go around without imposing more. Jesus said, “I came that you may have life, and that life abundant.” (John 10:10) If we, who are of one culture and heritage, are to reach, call and nurture people from another culture, then we must honor both our identity and theirs. Paul describes his attempts to do this: “I become all things to all people, so that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor 9:22) That is precisely where he is leading us in this discussion about food, and having compassion for the uniqueness and weaknesses of others.

** NOTE: Reflections for a sermon – “Our Freedom is limited by Compassion” based on 1 Corinthians 8.