I knew that you wouldn’t let me help you
“I knew that you wouldn’t let me help you.” When a friend of mine said that to me recently, her words stopped me in my tracks. Let me explain.
I like helping people. I’m not saying that to boast. Instead, I recognize how God has changed me from a very selfish and self-centered person to someone who at least occasionally notices the needs of others and enjoys meeting those needs. God has done so much for me and has given so much to and for me that I enjoy giving back by helping and serving others.
A few days ago, our family returned from a vacation to Florida. The day after we returned, Margaret started getting sick. A couple of days later, I started getting sick. One afternoon, when we were both sick, the phone rang. A friend of ours had called to see how we were feeling. I told her that we were both feeling bad, but that Margaret was worse than me.
She said, “Can I make you a pot of soup? I always like soup when I’m sick.”
I turned down her offer of help, and told her that we could manage to make something for dinner.
Then, she replied, “Well, I knew that you wouldn’t let me help you, but I wanted to offer.” She didn’t say it in a condemning way, but I was certainly convicted by her words.
In that instant, God revealed to me more about my own pride. I loved helping people when they needed it, but when I was in need, I was not willing to admit that need and allow someone else to help me. That’s pride, and it’s sin.
Looking back on my life, I can see this pattern. I even written about it before on this blog. Of course, recognize a failure to submit to God in a certain area of my life is not that same as actually submitting to God in that area of my life. I recognize that I often let my pride get in the way of allowing others to serve. As you can see, my pride is not simply a sin that affects my relationship with Christ, it affects my relationship with others – it affects the community.
Sin is like that. We think sin is private and personal, but it never is. Sin affects our brothers and sisters in Christ. Even a sin that appears to only affect us as individuals also affects the community since we are part of the community.
So, when my friend said, “I knew that you wouldn’t let me help you,” I knew that she was right, and I recognized my sin. I apologized to her and told her that I would love for her to bring us a pot of soup.
While her soup was very delicious, I think her words were more beneficial and needed.
The unhypocritcal church
A couple of years ago, I published three posts called “The unhypocritical church” (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). The posts were based on a study of, meditation on, and comparison to Romans 12 (especially verses 9-21). Here are the three posts together:
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Most theologians comment about how “theological” the book of Romans is. This simply means that Paul speaks in terms that most closely resemble how modern theologians speak. Of course, Romans is far from a “systematic theology”. But Romans does include a good deal of theology – that is, Paul tells us what he things about God and people and salvation.
In fact, Chapters 1 through 11 are filled with theology. We learn that all people are sinful – all people are separated from God – all people deserve eternal separation from God. We also learn that the remedy is found in the person of Jesus Christ – his death, burial, and resurrection – and that the remedy is administered through the person and presence and power of the Holy Spirit. But, Paul doesn’t stop there.
In Chapter 12, Paul begins to show how his “theology” should work itself out in the lives of all followers of Jesus Christ. He begins by showing that a life sacrificed to God will lead to a life that is tranformed – changed – into a life that is acceptable to God. This life will demonstrate the gifts of the Spirit because it will be controlled by the Spirit. The Spirit will manifest himself differently in different people, but the manifestation of the Spirit’s gifts will always be for the same purpose. But, Paul doesn’t stop there.
In Romans 12:9-21, Paul lays down specific characteristics of the life that is led by the Spirit. This is what he says:
Let love be genuine (unhypocritical). Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 ESV)
Notice how the genuine (unhypocritical) love of Spirit-indwelled, Spirit-led believers is described:
- holding fast to good
- loving one another
- honoring one another
- serving the Lord fervently
- rejoicing
- patient
- praying
- giving to needy believers
- being hospitable (loving strangers)
- blessing
- living in harmony
- humble
- doing what is honorable
- living in peace with all
This is how the church of God should live. This is how the church of God should be described. In fact, the “theology” of the previous 11 chapters means little if the lives of believers are not being transformed by the indwelled Spirit.
So, where do you stop? Do you stop at discussing theology? Or, do you see the power of the Spirit at work in your life? How does a description of your life match up to Paul’s description of the Spirit-led, transformed life?
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“The unhypocritcal church – Part 2”
When I wrote the post “The unhypocritical church“, I did not plan for it to continue into a second part. However, as I have been meditating on Romans 12 for the last few days, there are a few more thoughts that I want to share.
Sunday morning, we gathered with the church like we do every week. After the formal part of our meeting concluded, people hung around talking for about an hour. At one point, my daughter and another girl her age stood by the door and, like good stewardesses, greeted those who left by saying, “Buh-bye. See you next week.” This was funny at first. Then I realized exactly what they were saying. They recognized that we would not see many of these people for seven days.
Sunday afternoon, as I published the post called “The unhypocritical church” and thought about the episode with my daughter and her friend, I realized that it would be impossible to carry out the teachings of Romans 12:9-21 if we only see one another once a week in a formal setting. Look at this list again:
- holding fast to good
- loving one another
- honoring one another
- serving the Lord fervently
- rejoicing
- patient
- praying
- giving to needy
- believers
- being hospitable (loving strangers)
- blessing
- living in harmony
- humble
- doing what is honorable
- living in peace with all
Sure, some of these we could probably do once a week, and pretend to have carried out Paul’s intention. But, can we have patience with one another if we only see each other once every seven days? Can we live in harmony with one another if we only see each other once every seven days? Similarly, we are to help one another live according to these descriptions. Can we help one another be hospitable toward strangers if we only see one another on Sunday?
This passage (Romans 12:9-21) is about community. Paul does not state, “Live as a community with your brothers and sisters in Christ”. However, he describes believers living together in such a way that they must recognize themselves as a Spirit-indwelled, Spirit-led community in order to see these descriptions carried out in their lives. There is no way to understand “church” as a once or twice a week event and have these characteristics. No, Paul is not describing an event, or a location, or an organization. Paul is describing a way-of-life for people who are following their Master together.
Among the church where God has placed me, I recognize these characteristics in many of my brothers and sisters. On Sunday, I heard that several people are spending their Labor Day Monday helping some friends work on their houses. I heard about other friends who are donating furniture and delivering it to someone that they do not know, but who is in need of furniture. Other friends are spending their day off by working on cars for their brothers and sisters. In activities such as these (and probably many others that I do not know about), the love of Christ is manifest and proclaimed both to believers and to unbelievers alike.
A community… a kingdom community, ruled by the King, looking out for one another, serving one another and the world, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, and warmly welcoming those who accept his grace and mercy. This is the kind of church that Paul is describing. This is the church of unypocritical love. This is how I want to live my life.
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“The unhypocritical church – Part 3”
I think this will be my last post on Romans 12:9-21 for now. As a reminder, this is what Paul writes:
Let love be genuine (unhypocritical). Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 ESV)
Once again, notice how the genuine (unhypocritical) love of Spirit-indwelled, Spirit-led believers is described:
- holding fast to good
- loving one another
- honoring one another
- serving the Lord fervently
- rejoicing
- patient
- praying
- giving to needy believers
- being hospitable (loving strangers)
- blessing
- living in harmony
- humble
- doing what is honorable
- living in peace with all
This is how the church of God should live. This description should characterize each believer and each group of beleivers.
Over the last few days, I have been asking myself which of these characteristics are evident in my life and which characteristics are absent. I can look back over the last few years and see where God has grown me and changed me. But, I can also see where I am not living as God intends. Specifically, God is still teaching me how to show hospitality (that is, love for strangers as opposed to love for those who I already know and love) and how to give to those who are in need. Perhaps, most of all, this is showing me areas in my life where I am not submitting to the presence of God.
As Joel pointed out in a recent post, we must begin with a proper understanind of who we are in Christ. I would also add that we should also recognize the awesome power and presence of the Holy Spirit who indwells us and changes us from the inside out.
Beginning with this understanding, I am going to ask you the same question that I have been asking myself: Meditating on the description of the unhypocritical (genuine) love of Romans 12:9-21, where is God still working in your life? In what ways are you not submitting to God’s presence in your life?
stories: Loving those who are hard to love
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
My friend J. is a great example of making friends with and loving those who appear to be difficult to love. I’ve written about J. before in my posts “Pastor of a Restaurant?” and “stories: Gospel and community and pizza.”
J. works at a local Italian restaurant, and he’s become friends with many of his coworkers, even those that are (in his words) “a little rough.” They are not believers. He spends time with many of the young men, and even helps out when there are deaths or sicknesses in their families.
Recently, J. married R. He said that he was a little concerned about how she would handle his “rough” friends. He said they are the kind of friends who will come into the house without knocking.
He told the story of one young man who came into their house one afternoon after changing the oil in his car. As you can imagine his hands and clothes were covered in oil. When he came into the house, he left the door open and let in a few flies. R. was trying to kill the flies, and the young man decided to help. Instead, he left an oil streak smeared down the wall. R. thanked him for his help, then ushered him into their bathroom for a shower. J. said this is just the kind of love that this young man needed.
A few days later, the same young man and his girlfriend came to J. and R.’s house for a cookout. The girlfriend was just as rough as the young man, and her language was probably rougher. The young man told the girlfriend not to talk that way, because J. and R. were Christians. (Neither J. nor R. had ever told the young man to stop using certain words because they were Christians, so they were surprised.) The girlfriend became very quiet and withdrawn after the young man’s rebuke.
J. took the young man out back to finish grilling and left R. alone in the house with the girlfriend. By the time J. returned, R. had made the girl feel at home and welcomed. They were talking and laughing and enjoying one another’s company. When the young man and his girlfriend left that evening, the girlfriend hugged R. like that were longtime friends.
J. and R. are great examples of accepting and welcoming people into our homes who may be “rougher” than we would like. They are great examples of loving people and teaching them things they need to know (like when to take a shower). Plus, knowing J. and R., this young man and his girlfriend not only saw a great demonstrate of Jesus’ love and acceptance, they heard about Jesus as well.
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If you would like for me to include your story in this series, please send me an email at aknox [at] sebts [dot] edu.
Hospitality – vacancy or no vacancy?
Two years ago, I wrote a post called “Hospitality – vacancy or no vacancy?” God was just beginning to teach our family about the importance of hospitality. In many ways, he is still teaching, and we are just beginning to learn. Hospitality is not natural for us. But, I’ve found that as we open our home to others – in spite of our natural inclinations – God begins to change our heart.
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Hospitality – vacancy or no vacancy?
A couple of weeks ago, some new friends came to visit from out of town. We wanted to be able to offer them a place to spend the night, that is, to offer them hospitality. Unfortunately, we currently do not have bed space for a couple (perhaps we should change this?). However, some friends of ours did open their homes in a true demonstration of hospitality. Because of this, I began to think about hospitality again. What is our responsibility to other believers? What is our responsibility to strangers? I thought that I would start with Scripture (that seems like a good place to start):
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:13 ESV)
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach… (1 Timothy 3:2 ESV)
Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. (1 Timothy 5:9-10 ESV)
For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. (Titus 1:7-8 ESV)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2 ESV)
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9 ESV)
These verses translate various words as “hospitality” or “show hospitality”:
1. φιλοξενία (philoxenia) – “hospitality” (noun)
2. φιλόξενος (philoxenos) – “hospitable” (adjective)
3. ξενοδοκÎω (xenodokeo) – “show hospitality” (verb)
Also, I have previously discussed a different verb (Ï€ÏοπÎμπω – propempo) in a post called “Sending with hospitality…” This verb seems to denote sending someone on a journey with help that they may need on the journey. It can even mean accompanying them on their journey.
Etymologically, the words above for “hospitality” are built on roots meaning “loving strangers” or “thinking about strangers”. However, we know that etymology (looking at the source of words) does not always tell us the meaning of a word.
So, what do the Scriptures above tell us about hospitality? Well, for one thing, hospitality should be demonstrated toward those we know and toward those we do not know (strangers). Hospitality should be a characteristic of elders and widows (who would normally be older), but it should also be a characteristic of all believers. Attitude is important in showing hospitality – i.e., we should not complain (grumble) about showing hospitality to someone. Also, it seems that hospitality should normally cost us something.
When I look through this short list, without even actually answering the question “What is hospitality?”, I would have to say that I am not a very hospitable person. (This means, of course, that is 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are “qualification” for elders, then I’m not qualified. But, of course, everyone knew that when they saw the “qualification” of “blameless”.) In fact, I know very few hospitable people. I do not even know many hospitable Christians. Now, I’m sure that I know some, but I think this characteristic has been overlooked and relegated to insignificance for far too long.
I started thinking seriously about hospitality almost three years ago when my family went to Nicaragua for a week. We stayed with a family that would be considered very poor by American standards. Yet, this family gave us their best room to sleep in – with our own private bathroom. They also fed us at least two meals per day – three meals when we were in their home in the evening. They also waited for us to come home each evening in order to spend time talking with us. Now, this “talking” thing was very interesting, and they also showed hospitality in this. I know a little Spanish (I can say, “This is my pencil” and “Where is the bathroom?”) and they knew a little English. But, each night, they provided ways for us to communicate. Two evenings, they invited friends who spoke more English to come over. For the remaining evenings, they purchased a Spanish-English dictionary.
What did I learn from this experience? I learned that hospitality is costly, and that I do not practice hospitality. Has anyone else been the recipient of hospitality? If so, please tell us about it and tell us what you learned.
Hospitality as we are
Jamey at “A Life Transformed” published this about a week ago in a post called “If you happen to drop in“. I really like it, but I haven’t had a chance to post it until now. Enjoy:
I hope you don’t mind the noise too much. You may wonder if we have a band playing downstairs in the basement. It is just a few of our musically inclined family members…I can have them turn the amp down. And don’t panic if you see my 18 month old writing on the wall…really it’s washable. Sometimes he finds a crayon I may have forgot to put away. And please excuse me if I have to take a minute to mediate a disagreement over who is going to use the phone next. Oh, I almost forgot to ask, would you like some coffee….And if you wonder what is burning in the kitchen, it’s probably just one of my teens cooking. Don’t worry, I have a fire extinguisher close by. You may be wondering if all these kids are mine and you may even be counting as they pass by. By the time you count to eight, you may be thinking that my life is a little crazy by now, but I am thinking how lucky I am. Our life is loud, fun and just awesome. You are more than welcome to stay a while and have dinner with us, there is plenty to go around. I made enough beef stew to feed the neighborhood. Would you like more coffee…
This is hospitality: inviting people into our lives just the way we are and just the way they are.
I’ve said before that I would like to get a sign to hang on our front door with the following message:
If you’ve come to see us, knock and come in. If you’ve come to see our house, please make an appointment.
Hospitality and the Home
Back in March 2007, I wrote a post called “Hospitality and the Home“. Our family has learned to be more hospitable in the last couple of years. There are many people who will drop by our house without notice – and we’re glad! In fact, I once wrote about a sign that I would like for our house: “If you are coming to see our house, please go home and make an appointment. If you are coming to see us, knock and come in.”
I think that hospitality is one of the most effective and least practiced means of building relationships with others – relationships with both believers and non-believers. The problem today is that people seldom spend time in their homes. This post examines that phenomenon.
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Roger Gehring has written an interesting book called House Church and Mission: The Importance of Household Structures in Early Christianity. Now, to be honest, this post is a little premature, because I have not read this book yet. But, as I was flipping through it, this paragraph jumped out at me:
With the catchword “hospitality” we are reminded of yet another benefit of the ancient oikos [household] for mission. The early Christian houses and house churches were places where Christian hospitality was practiced by and for Christians and non-Christians alike in a very concrete way. In house churches it was possible for both Christians and non-Christians to experience the safety and security of the familia Dei [family of God]. Closely connected with this was the early Christian brotherly love, which was able to unite radically different social groups into one community.
This passage alone makes me want to read this book. Unfortunately, it is currently far down on the reading list. I’m not sure why I tortured myself by picking it up and flipping through it, but at least this passage has given me something to think about.
According to Gehring, the early Christians demonstrated hospitality (literally, love for strangers) both to other Christians and to non-Christians. They demonstrated hospitality in a setting that was both familiar and comfortable – the household setting. We know from history that the family and the home was very important in the Greco-Roman world, though the importance of the home and family was declining. In fact, the Romans ate, studied, worked, and even worshiped out of their homes.
Today, the household setting is not the same as it was even fifty years ago. Many people only sleep and watch television in their homes. Their homes are places for showcase lawns, flower beds, home entertainment systems, and garages for their vehicles. Very little entertainment, communication, socialization, or even eating takes place in the average home today.
What does this mean? When I invite someone to my home – someone that I have never invited to my home before, or someone with whom I have not developed a relationship – that person probably assumes that I am inviting them to my home because I want something from them. Perhaps I am an Amway agent, or an insurance salesperson, or a politician, or – God forbid – an evangelical looking for another convert. So, when a person comes to my home for the first time – assuming they ever accept the invitation in the first place – their guard is up, and they’re waiting for the catch. Many times, even if we simply want to know them better, they assume that “religion” is the catch because we tend to want to talk about spiritual things.
Activities that once took place in the home, such as communication and socialization, now take place in the office or breakroom, the school hallway or cafeteria, the restaurant or bar or pub, or even the sports arena. These types of locations are often called “third spaces”. Perhaps, we as believers should think about building relationships with people through these types of locations – locations that are “familiar and comfortable” just as households were “familiar and comfortable” to Roman citizens.
Please, do not misunderstand me. There is something special about gathering with friends around a dining room table, or in a living room, or even in the backyard. But, just as unbelievers may not walk into our church buildings, they may not walk into our homes either. This brings up an interesting and important question – and I don’t know how Gehring answers this question (but I hope to find out soon):
Did the Christians practice hospitality in their homes because that was the social norm, or does this type of hospitality and home-based service transcend cultures and contexts?
Hospitality and Discipleship
Several months ago, a young engaged couple asked my wife, Margaret, and me if we would do “pre-marital counselling” with them. We told them that we didn’t really do “counselling”, but that we would love to spend more time with them in a discipling relationship. We would meet together, talk about life and God and Scripture together, and get to know one another better. Since a big part of their life was their upcoming marriage, that would be a big part of our conversation. We also explained that we didn’t see discipleship as a course that lasted a few weeks. So, we were offering to enter into a life-long relationship with them.
They were excited about the idea, so we began to spend more time together. As we had told them, we talked alot about the marriage relationship – that is, the relationship between husband and wife – but we primarily talked about the marriage relationship in the context of a “loving God and loving others relationship”. Since we spend more time with our spouses and children, they should recognize and receive the most demonstrable love from us. Spouses should also be the first to recognize that we consider them as more important than ourselves.
Unfortunately, spouses are also usually the first to notice our sin, our selfishness, our hopelessness, our discouragement, our pain, our struggles. Spouses usually take the brunt of our bad moods and anger and bitterness. We talked about how important forgiveness and grace and mercy are to any relationship, especially the marriage relationship. And, much of the time, these discussions were held around the table, or in the living room following a meal. We were living and growing in our own relationships, not just talking about relationships.
During the weeks and months before they were married, we introduced them to some other couples. They were able to hear even more stories of introductions, dating, romance, failures, forgiveness, etc. It was amazing to hear how God had worked through so many difficult situations, and whether the couples had been married just a few years or many years, how God was continuing to use husbands and wives to disciple one another and to help one another mature in Christ even as they matured in their own relationships. One of the keys that kept popping up was grace, including forgiveness and mercy. Every husband and every wife admitted that they failed their spouse from time to time. Every husband and every wife admitted that there were times when they wanted to drop everything and run away. And, every husband and every wife confessed that it was only the love and grace of God that kept two sinners together in spite of their sinfulness.
We met with them just before they were married, spent a few minutes talking, and then played games together – Apples to Apples, mostly – one of our family’s favorite games. We talked again about how we saw our relationship with this couple as a continue, discipling relationship. We also encouraged them form relationships with other people – both those who were more mature than them, and with those who were less mature than them. We talked about the importance of opening their home and building relationships in the context of hospitality. We encouraged them to start inviting others to their home soon after they were married.
Last week, only a few weeks after their marriage, the young husband sent me a text message: “Would you and your family like to come to our house for dinner on Wednesday night?” How exciting! Not only did we get to spend time with this young couple and see how God was continuing to work in their lives and to continue building our relationship with them, we saw how they were following what we taught them with both our words and our actions. They were practicing hospitality!
As we were preparing to leave after a night with a wonderful dinner, encouraging conversation, and fun games, they asked us to sign their “journal”. As I opened the “journal” to write about our gratitude for the evening, I noticed that were not the first people that they had invited to their home. Even more exciting! They were not just offering hospitality to us in response to our own hospitality toward them, they were now modelling hospitality to others and building relationships with others!
As we continue to learn what it means to disciple people and to be disciples beyond the classroom and into sharing lives together, and as we continue to see the “fruit” of this type of relational discipleship, I’m finally beginning to understand John’s words: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4 ESV).
Better than Holiday Inn…
I’ve discussed hospitality on this blog several times. For example, click on the “Hospitality” label. One of the reasons that I keep bringing up this topic is that I believe hospitality it one indicator that someone is maturing in Christ. When a person or family opens their home for others, they are demonstrating that the Spirit is producing love in them.
Last week, one of my best friends moved to northeast Ohio. As we were talking just before he left, he told us that if we came to northeast Ohio, we would always have a place to stay. We told him the same thing if they came back to North Carolina. He meant it, and we did too.
As I was laying in bed last night, God started showing me something. Margaret and I have family in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. We know that if we came to their town, they would expect us to stay with them.
But, beyond this family, God has given us another “family” – a Spirit family. We have brothers and sisters in Georgia, California, and now Ohio who would open their home for us. If we move, we know there are many friends in North Carolina who would open their home to us. And, when these friends move, they would open their homes in the new locations as well. These brothers and sisters would not only allow us to stay with them, but also they would probably be offended if we did not stay with them.
But, you see, hospitality is more than simply having a place to stay and food to eat. When we visit these friends, or when they visit us, we come back together as family, not as new acquaintances. The Spirit has already bound us together, and we simply walk back into proximity to one another. We love one another, we accept one anothers differences, we enjoy one anothers company.
This type of hospitality is something that “the hospitality industry” cannot offer. Regardless of the number of stars in a hotel’s rating, they cannot offer the love and friendship and fellowship of other brothers and sisters in Christ. Hospitality is better than Holiday Inn.
Focus…
In Hebrews 12, the author of the book calls for us to “run with endurance” by looking to (“keeping our eyes focused on”) Jesus, the one who starts us in the faith and the one who matures us in the faith:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV)
What happens when those who are indwelled by the Spirit also lives their lives (“run with endurance”) by focusing on Jesus?
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have… (Hebrews 13:1-5 ESV)
How we treat others – with our time, energy, resources, etc. – will demonstrate whether or not we are keeping our eyes focused on Jesus. Where are you focused?
The Testimony of Truth in Action
This week, in our Linguistics seminar, we were given the assignment of outlining 3 John and determining the theme or peak of the letter. In other words, what was John attempting to communicate to Gaius.
Several months ago, I talked about this short letter in my posts called “Sending with hospitality“, “We will talk face to face“, and “Imitate Good“.
This is how I outlined the letter in this week’s seminar (this is not my translation):
Salutation (vs. 1)
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.Opening Testimony of Truth in Action (vs. 2-4)
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.Gaius’ Testimony of Truth in Action (vs. 5-8)
Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.Diotrephes’ Lack of Testimony of Truth in Action (vs. 9-10)
I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.Having a Testimony of Truth in Action (vs. 11)
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.Demetrius’ Testimony of Truth in Action (vs. 12)
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.Travel Plans (vs. 13-14)
I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.Final Greetings (vs. 15)
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them. (3 John ESV)
Notice the repetition of the words for testify, truth, and action words (walk, practice, imitate, efforts, fellow workers). In fact, in the body of this letter (vs. 2-12), we find the ideas of testifying to the truth through our actions in every paragraph except one: the paragraph about Diotrephes. While Gaius and Demetrius have a testimony, Diotrephes is not said to have one. While Gaius are walking in the truth, this is not said of Diotrephes.
Furthermore, it is interesting that Diotrephes is known for his words (speaking wicked nonsense) and his desire to control things (puts himself first), and his lack of concern for others (refuses… stops… and puts them out).
It seems that this short letter was written to encourage Gaius (and any others who read it) to bear witness to the truth of their faith by the way they live their lives, especially in the way that they deal with and relate to other people. The specific “good” action mentioned in this letter is supporting brothers and sisters in Christ as they travel through the local area. The corresponding “bad” action is refusing to help those same brothers and sisters in Christ (see “Sending with hospitality“).
I have been encouraged and challenged by the way many of my brothers and sisters have opened their homes to others who are travelling through or visiting this area. Our family is learning and maturing in this area. We are learning what it means to “send with hospitality”.
But, what about other areas of our lives. Are we living a testimony by demonstrating truth in action? Or, do our words and our actions contradict the love that we are supposed to show to our brothers and sisters? Do we ridicule people for showing mercy and justice to others? Do we rebuke brothers and sisters for their kindness? Do we talk about love, but never have time to show it?
Do we find ourselves resembling Diotrephes? Or are we growing in grace and finding that we resemble Gaius and Demetrius more and more by living a testimony of truth in action?