What If?

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

What if Paul’s attitude was our attitude? Not just a hand full of us either, but every single one of us. And what if Paul’s attitude was our attitude all the time? Not just one or two hours a week, but twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. I’ll tell what if! We’d be like Jesus! We’d be perfect! We’d be loving our neighbor as ourselves! We’d be living as God created us to live! We’d be the holy, chosen, set-aside people God desires and wills for us to be! So why not jump on board? Why not start now? Why not strive to be the man or woman God expects us to be? Are we not new creations in Christ? Is not the old sinful Adam or Eve slain through a drowning death that took place at our Baptism? Do we not stand before Almighty God as righteous children through the blood of the slain, sacrificed Lamb of God?

To the weak I became weak. . . What a stretch! Weakness is . . . well . . . weak. I don’t know about you, but I’m not fond of my weaknesses. In some cases, I’m even embarrassed by them. Why would I become weak? . . . that I might win the weak . . . Really? Did Paul really just say he was winning people? That doesn’t sound very Pauline! Is Paul straying into a theology of glory, pointing to himself and his works and efforts as bringing about salvation? I think we know Paul better than that! You would be hard-pressed to ever find Paul crediting himself with anyone’s salvation! Paul is talking about getting himself out of the way so the pure and full truth of the Gospel will shine through! Let’s not get bogged down here – Paul is allowing people to see his weaknesses trusting that the Holy Spirit will do something strong and powerful – bring non-believers to faith in Jesus Christ! But wait, there’s more! . . .I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some. . .(emphasis highlighted by me, but intended by Paul). Paul puts himself last. He puts the needs of everyone before his own needs. He especially prioritized the needs of non-believers.

What if? What if you and I were to live out our faith in this same way? What would it look like? Let’s try something . Let’s make this interactive. Let’s actually answer the question in this paragraph. What would it look like if we expressed our faith in Christ by especially putting the needs of non-believers before my own needs? Email me your responses to this question at pastoraker@paducah.com. Facebook your answers to me at www.facebook.com/corey.aker. Call me at 442-8343. Write me a letter and send it to 211 S. 21^st St., Paducah, KY, 42003. Stop by and visit at the church. You get the idea! Let’s discourse about our faith! Let’s talk about ways our faith is played out in our daily lives and community! Tell me about what you are already doing! Share what you would like to do!

. . .I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. . . What other reason is there? This is what you and I are all about anyways! Paul’s words are our words and our lives! This is who you are. Keeping the light of the Gospel hidden is not an option for us. We cannot do that. Not only is it sinful, it is harmful to our neighbors. Paul lets nothing stand in his way from presenting the hope he has in Christ with people. Let us pray the Holy Spirit will ignite our hearts to share Paul’s faith with everyone – Paul’s faith is our faith! We are all one in Christ! All praise to Christ who has made us One and has made us His own! All glory to Christ for the work that He has done, continues to do, and will always do in and through you!

Grandpa Aker

Two days ago, a massive earthquake leveled the capital city of Haiti. This is horrible and incomprehensible, especially as we learn more about the scope of the devastation. Thousands still trapped and awaiting rescue. Tens of thousands feared dead. Buildings and homes leveled. This is unimaginable. But it's a long way from here . . .

Not so far away, peacefully resting (thanks to the morphine), my grandfather lay breathing his last breaths. In some ways, it feels horrible and incomprehensible. Only months ago, he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor that was causing him to lose balance and become confused. Only weeks ago, I was in his house visiting with him. How can life just all of a sudden be gone?

Natural thoughts when dealing with the unnatural-ness of death. We weren't created to die; we certainly weren't created to lose loved ones to this fierce enemy. Still this enemy attacks daily - sometimes in massive and far-sweeping ways, sometimes in small and localized ways. Regardless, the result is the same. Those who lose loved ones to death are grieved. And rightly so.

Sitting across from my grandfather at his dining room table just a couple weeks ago, I looked into his eyes and knew I wouldn't look into them very many more times in this life. So that's what we talked about. I "owed him a conversation about God". He wanted to know what was in store for him. He also had a lot to say about the "holy-roller Christians" he knew from his past. Grandpa Aker knew that there was something more to this life than putting on a happy face and "acting like a Christian". He knew there was more to come after this life. He knew that apart from God being merciful to him, he wouldn't have a chance at it. He knew he had made mistakes in his life and wondered what God thought of him.

Listening to my grandfather speak of faith and God and life and death, I was overcome with the opportunity to share the hope I have as a Christian. The same hope he had as a Christian; a hope he just needed to hear again, for it had been a long time since he last heard it. God is merciful and chooses to have mercy on us. With our faith placed squarely on Jesus, we walk right past death to life. This is my grandfather's faith! Grandpa Aker now walks in the realization of his faith - he's walking with Jesus!

I love that imagery - Grandpa Aker and Jesus walking together. It takes me back to days gone by. Days spent in the Black Hills of South Dakota at Grandpa's cabin. Walking on trails, splitting wood, riding four-wheelers, throwing horseshoes, mowing grass, sitting in front of the fire, and watching Crocodile Dundee, to whom Grandpa bore an uncanny resemblance.

In contrast to the struggle of his last days, I am excited, comforted, and grateful to know that Grandpa Aker is at peace with Jesus and that I will see him again. This is no "holy-roller Christianity", just sheer peace and comfort that comes from a gracious and merciful God.

Even though buildings may be falling down and loved ones are dying, our gracious and merciful Lord provides a Gospel of hope and comfort.