Imagine your church congregation receiving a letter directly from Paul the Apostle.
Well, we don’t have to imagine, as these letters are from Paul to us today.
But when we read the introduction and first part of this (and other letters) it is easy (for me at least) to think, that the Christians of Pau’s day were at a higher level, or higher understanding, or better at their practice of Christianity than we are today. Maybe like when I watch or listen to a professional saxophonist, I can easily think, and it is true, that they are at a much higher level of ability and practice than I am as an amateur. And this is certainly true regarding saxophonists, but I suggest this is not true for Christians.
When Paul wrote his letter he named who he was writing to: the saints, together with the overseers and deacons. Does that exclude the ordinary church attenders? The new Chrisitians, or the ones who weren’t even sure if they had the credentials to be called Christians, even though they knew that the church was where they should be.
Well first of all, the “saints” means everyone who has been sanctified by God. In the earlier traditians, there are paintings depicting “Saints” with halo’s indicating their state of holiness.
But every Christian has been set apart by God, washed and sanctified. EveryChristian, every believer, I know some disagree, and believe that Christians sanctify themselves by living holy lives or lives dedicated to holiness, but I disagree. I agree that all Christians are drawn strongly to live lives worthy of the calling that we have received, and that it is best to pursue holiness, without which no-one will see the Lord, but I strongly hold that the only worthwhile holiness is received not achieved, it is a gift of God the Holy Spirit who sets us apart as God’s precious possession, which is who we are as Christians, God’s precious posessions. His children. Behold what manner of love God lavishes on us that we are called his children!!
That was the long way of saying that we who are christians, believers, followers and lovers of the lord Jesus, are all saints, and this letter is actually addressed to ordinary congregations, like us. All of us, newbies and oldies, beginners and professional, all of us.
The next and last pointI wish to emphasize is that when Paul says that he is so thankful for our partnership in the gospel, we don’y have to turn around to look at the more professional Christians in our congregations or the dedicated, selfless missionaries in faraway lands (God bless their great work of love), but again, he is talking to every person mentioned above, us, ordinary people who turn up on Sundays, and don’t understand all the bible, and fail at life (especially Christian life) fairly regularly, like every day. Here is a trustworthy saying, worthy of all our acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS.
That’s who Paul is talking to so don’t turn around thinking it’s someone else.
So we are all partners with Paul in the gospel. Does that mean we all preach? We all evangelize? We all understand theology? What does it actually mean to be parners in the gospel.
We if the gospel were a bus, it means we are all passengers on that bus. If the gospel were a Roman gallion, we would all be chained to the oars helping to propel it.
But the gospel is the great action of God (his power) saving sinners across all places and all time by the cross of Christ. I could emphasize the information of the gospel, being the great news of God sending his wonderful Son to save sinners, but the gospel is more than information delivered accurately and succinctly, it is God’s powerful and mysterious action, working deepin the inner workings of a human being, realigning them from death to life, from haters of God to lovers of God and neighbour. I could go on. And Jesus does all of this by his life, death and resurrection.
So yes we are all partners with Paul, in the Gospel. Isn’t this wonderful? Paul is not simply being gracious and humble, being politely inclusive in how he addresses this and all congregations, he is being “straight”, direct, clear, factual, all believers are partners with Paul in the gospel.
Finally I want to enjoy the Paul is confident in us. Well not in us, but in him. By “him” who is Paul referring to? God the Father? Jesus? The Holy Spirit?
Yes.
Yes God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, will complete what he started in us. It is something Paul understands deeply, that God initiates and finishes everything good, which means we as Christians are in good hands (not our own). Our faith decisions are prompted by the Lord, they are initiated by him, and our walk as Christians is lovingly constrained and directed by the Lord himself. We never need to fear or panic. Yes we do have times of fear and panic and deep sorrow and suffering, but Paul is confident, and I am glad he is so confident that God is the one who will complete what he started.
Yes the dirty dish pile will get washed, the dilapidated building will get renovated, the assignment will be in on time, the strugglers and stragglers will make it through.
That is us of course.
Thanks be to God.
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