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Living as Saints, rich in what matters
From 1 Corinthians 1: 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
"Has your phone rung?" It is a question that gets asked a lot by UM pastors during the spring. It is especially one that gets asked when a church or position in the church comes open. Members of the "Kitchen Cabinet" will make their theoretical appointments and then call those to ask, "Has your phone rung?" Not too long ago I was asked that so often I finally said, "Yes, and it won't stop ringing! People getting sick and going to the hospital. Some want to get married, others need to be buried; and they won't stop calling! Yes, my phone is ringing all the time!" Paul is sharing how when his phone rang, he answered Yes to the call from God to serve as an apostle. This call was confirmed by a friend and brother in the faith, Sosthenes. And he also said, all who have said Yes to God have also received from God instructions on work that still needs doing right where they are now. Paul calls believers, all believers, saints. Quite a title to live up to, but it emphasizes the separateness of our living. We are called to be different from those who don't yet know the Lord, and we're called to live a life of grace and peace. We are also to give thanks for one another in our prayers, and we are reminded that we have been made rich in Christ Jesus in the things that strengthen our ministry; the words we are to say, and wisdom to say them. In other words, we have a testimony to share about Jesus with everyone we meet; we lack for nothing in the spiritual gift department. While we wait for the coming of Jesus we have work to do, people to see, and a witness to share. We cannot take for granted that all people know Jesus just like we do. We strive for perfection, seeking to live a blameless life. God is faithful to us and we should be faithful to God, inviting others into the fellowship of believers in God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
One more thing. The phone works both ways. I love the story of the person from a church that wanted to be active in the ministry of the church so that person waited by the phone. Day after day, week after week, and the phone never rang. Frustrated this person shared with a friend this frustration. The friend calmly said, "The phone works both ways. If the church hasn't called you, why haven't you called the church? They'd love to hear of your willingness to serve." Pick up the phone and call somebody. Share with them the blessings that have been yours because of faith. Invite them to come and see what God offers in your worship settings and Sunday school class or small group.
One other thing. When you worship at your church on Sunday morning, don't "recycle" your bulletin in the Recycle Bin at the entrance of your church. Use it to start conversations with folks about what you did on Sunday. If you wrote notes on the margins of the bulletin use those to say, "And here's what my pastor said about this."
PRAYER: Thank You, dear God, for the call on my life. Help me to call and share with others in the way You shared with me. Strengthen my words and my wisdom to make disciples for You. I pray this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
