What would you think of a medical doctor who watched someone suffer a heart attack, but did nothing to help? What would you think of a police officer who walked past someone committing a crime but didn’t even care enough to raise an eyebrow or report the crime?
You would probably despise such doctors and police officers. You might even say that they weren’t fit to be the doctors and police they claimed to be. But such ways of living out the faith also infect us.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome:
I appeal to you, brothers–by the mercies of God–to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true worship. And do not be conformed to this age. Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you will discern what is God’s will, what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)
We think little of doctors and police officers who fail in their duties. Yet, why do we easily rationalize our own failings in our Christian living? We excuse and rationalize our behavior and life, as if the “transforming” power of the Gospel never even existed! The Scriptures clearly state how we should live our lives. But abusing God’s grace, we often shrug our shoulders and rationalize our own behavior (after all, we’ve had a lifetime of practice).
Against such self-serving tendencies, the Apostle Paul cries out for a Christianity that is alive, a Christianity that will not wilt when you don’t get your way. He’s urging that your Christian life have flesh, bone, and muscle from the faith you have received.
But that can tough when your personal feelings are hurt, or you feel slighted in some way. And feelings often do get hurt in a congregation where we “hash out” in committees and voters’ meetings what we want to do as a congregation. What if you didn’t get your way? What if something was said in the heat of conversation that offended you? How should you respond in Christian maturity?
“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,” saysSt. Paul. In the Bible, “sacrifice” always points to the cross, either directly or indirectly. It points to Jesus’ supreme sacrifice, the sacrifice He offered in the fire of God’s wrath because of our sin and rebellion. On the rough-hewn, splintered cross, God saved us from eternal death. And it’s because of the sacrifice of Jesus thatSt. Paulurges us to offer our bodies as a sacrifice: living, holy, and pleasing to God.
And what is living, holy, and pleasing to God? It’s going to someone and discussing what bothers you. It’s asking for forgiveness where you have sinned in some way. It’s granting forgiveness to others who have wronged you. It’s continuing to come to Church to receive what Jesus wants to give you to strengthen and enliven you in the faith.
When something bothers you in the Church, the last thing to do is stay away. For in such times, Satan will use a hurt feeling to pull you away from Christ’s Church, all the while getting you to rationalize that you are still strong in the faith. But if you are still strong in the faith, then why are you not doing that which shows a strong faith within? Why then aren’t you making Christ’s Word and Sacraments the center of your life? Why aren’t you going to a brother or sister to reconcile? That’s what Scripture teaches–and that’s what we are all given to do.
No Christian should say, “I can do whatever I want.” That attitude comes–not from God–but from our sinful flesh. “Based on the gift we have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). Staying away and crying foul is not serving others; it’s only serving your sinful flesh, which if served enough will even take you outside theChurchofChrist, outside salvation.
Don’t let that happen! Live the life of faith God has given you to live. Continue to be strengthened and saved by coming in faith to every Divine Service. And, of course, you can always come and see me to discuss something or get something of your chest. After all, that’s one reason we have pastors in Christ’s Church. Amen.
