This morning, Justin McLaury delivered a brilliant talk on character. He examined the way ancient Greece described character through the philosophy of Plato and the lens through which Paul viewed character through scripture. He then showed us how modern America and the American Christian attempts to build character. Unfortunately, we have equated moralism, doing the right thing, or for that matter, not doing the wrong thing (so we think) to spiritual maturity. This is why the market is flooded with self-help books. Everyone wants to do the right thing, the right way. Everyone is looking for the right, easy formula to live a "successful" life. Unfortunately, we're easily misguided... In Philippians, Paul describes the character of Christ with two characteristics. Jesus loved God and loved people. Off the top of my head, i cannot think of any instances in the Bible where Jesus was known for something that he did not do. In fact, most times he was challenged on the way that he lived his life. All my recollections remind me of the things that Jesus did... the way that he lived life, how he lived life with "sinners", how he loved people, etc. My challenge for you, for me, for us as a community, is to be known for the things that we do, not necessarily the things that we don't do. May we be known for the way that we loved, for the way that we served, for the way that we cared for each other, for the way that we pushed our culture. May our legacy represent the life of Christ... the character of Christ. May your life represent Jesus.
Great insight... thanks Justin.
F
walking with God...
My first blog on this site.
I could not sleep early this morning, so went for a walk. Actually a 5 miler ! For some that is crazy, but this morning the weather was cool, and I got to go some reflecting. Thought about who walked with God. The bible says, Enoch and Noah walked with God. Now I am not sure if they actually walked side by side or that is a statement of their life ( or both )and how they lived it. What if they actually walked by his side? What if we could ? What a humbling walk that would be as God would know about all of our junk in our lives. How do you tell the creator you been busy or your struggling right now with being a " light of the world, a city on a hill "?
I like what the Message says in Hebrews, "I'll never let you down, never WALK off and leave you".
Comforting words even when we are not living or walking as we should.
Bob
Bob,
Good word! What a thought that we could actually take a walk beside Jesus. Good stuff.
F