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This is a video post. For my e-mail subscribers who can’t see the video, click here.

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Matthew 13-14 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Matthew 13:1-14:36.

“He put another parable before them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?” He said to them, “An enemy has done this.” So the servants said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he said, “No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn’ ” ‘ ” (Matthew 13:24-30).

I think there is something here I need to learn. I recognize that I’ve spent too much time trying to do what God says even the angels shouldn’t. I recognize of course that there is a biblical principle which Christians and churches must uphold regarding discipline within the local body of Christ (cf. I Corinthians 5:1-13). Yet, too often I’ve seen it as my personal mission to clean up God’s church. It is too easy to go on a witch hunt of McCarthy proportions (is that too cliché to say?). Too often I see it as my job to hunt down all the weeds that have somehow made their way into the church and root them out.

Perhaps this parable teaches something different. Certainly, I am to teach the truth. Certainly, congregational discipline must be practiced. Certainly, I must not equivocate on the teaching of Christ. But, is it really my job to try to figure out who all isn’t completely toeing the line? Is it really my job to try to ferret out every potential error someone, somewhere might have? Is it really my job to figure out who all the weeds are and try to get rid of them? The Master said to back off and let Him deal with it at the end.

I admit, I’m not sure where the boundaries of congregational discipline are valid versus this witch-hunt mentality, but I see that somewhere I have to back off and say that it’s just not my job to figure out who all the weeds are and instead, just get busy planting more seeds.

What do you think?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a Comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

1 Thessalonians 1-2 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:20.

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2: 8).

This is what being the salt of the earth and light of the world is all about (cf. Matthew 5:13-16). Being the salt of the earth means investing ourselves in the lives of others around us. Being the light of the world means inviting them with the gospel message. I think Paul’s success might be that his desire to share the gospel with others came from a genuine care for them. He didn’t simply see others as a check off on his personal evangelism chart. (Hmmm, let’s see, yes, I met my quota of 5 invitations this week.) He didn’t just desire to preach to someone, he wanted to give himself to them. That means even if they didn’t accept the gospel, he still cared about them. However, because the gospel was part of who he was, it entailed teaching them.

That is the key I have to learn. Make the gospel so much a part of me and care so much about people that I can’t help but bring the two together. Then I’ll be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Then I’ll invest and invite.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? To add your input click the following link: Post a comment.

PPS. By the way, this probably stuck out to me because it fits so nicely with my recent sermon: Be Salt and Light-Invest and Invite.

Colossians 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle

Today’s reading is Colossians 3:1-4:18.

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

I often go to Ephesians 5:15-16 to talk about making the best use of my time. Somehow, I’ve overlooked this parallel passage. Paul’s point is a little more…well…pointed. In Ephesians, the point is more general. Just be a better time manager. Here, Paul points me to an area in which I need to make better use of my time. How do I walk toward outsiders? That is, how do I walk toward those who are outside of Christ?

I’m humbled by this. I’ve read this book dozens of times and slid right through this passage. So now I have to ask how I’m walking? When I relate to outsiders, am I being wise about it? Or am I essentially ignoring their souls? When I am paying attention to their souls, am I walking in wisdom? Or am I being reckless and careless? Am I acting in ways that will let them know that Jesus is with me? Or am I caustic, harsh, devilish? When I talk to outsiders, is my speech always gracious? Or am I sometimes sarcastic, cynical, mocking? Do I seek to understand them so I can learn from them and help them? Or do I listen only for their intake of breath so I can jump in with my “greater wisdom”?

My aunt once cautioned me not mock others beliefs. I recklessly responded, “But some people believe stupid stuff (chuckle, chuckle, mischievous grin).” Next time I say something stupid like that Mary, smite me with this passage.

Today, I have something to really think about. Am I making the best use of my time when it comes to outsiders? How about you?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.