Every church document should principle, practice
Text: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13, and: “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” New International Version. “remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” New Revised Standard Version. 1 Thessalonians 1:3. In most congregations toward the end of January the annual report is issued and the yearly congregational meeting is held. The is the time when we let each other know what has happened during the previous year; what we have achieved, how faithfully we have served, and what kind of steward we have been with the talents entrusted to us. Let this short mediation become an attachment to the written report placed into the hands of the members of the congregation.
THE THREE PILLARS OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.
The famous love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, ends with this grand finale: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I am sure Apostle Paul had selected the correct three pillars upon which our spiritual life can rest. The same triple motive is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 “remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” New Revised Standard Version is closer to the original Greek text than the New International Version. See both versions above.
Every church document, report or statement should possess the hallmark of both, the principle and practice, or in other words, the concept and reality. Jesus’ ministry had consisted of preaching, teaching and healing.
Which congregation can say: We are pure spiritually, sound financially and have practiced Christian love in reality? How close and harmonious have been the divine word and our human action? Between these two, the spiritual and financial, which one is cause and which one is the effect?
THE REALIZATION OF THE SPIRITUAL; APOSTLE PAUL’S COMBINATION.
“Your work produced by faith” or “your work of faith.” So many people say, “Yes I believe” or “I have faith in God,” however, how do these statements become evident in a person’s private life? What we shall learn from the Thessalonians, through Apostle Paul, is that only ACTIVE FAITH is the real one. Please read James 2:14-26. Can active faith and passive church membership be compatible? In the United States of America millions confess that they are Christians, that is followers of Christ, but how many of them are attending worship services? Are you a true and patriotic American when you refuse to pay taxes? After September 11, 2001 we proudly display our “star-spangled banner” but is this enthusiasm also manifested on our tax return?
“Your labor prompted by love” or “labor of love.” The original Greek word also means: trouble or bother, like in Luke 7:11 “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.'” In the church we call it SERVICE and the service we render should not be that easy one, namely, whenever I have time and feel like to do something then, and only then, I will offer my talents. Donation given from the surplus is not much of a gift, and helping others when we have nothing else to do is not much of an assistance.
“Your endurance inspired by hope” or “steadfastness of hope.” We look into the future with hope and positive expectation. Once a pastor visited a lady who was close to be called to the eternal home. She asked her pastor: “When I will be placed in the coffin, please, put a fork in my hand.” Curiosity forced the pastor to say: “Please, tell me, why are you asking for this favor?” She replied: “Because whenever we had a church dinner, after we had finished the main course and the dessert was going to be served, we were told: ‘Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.'” We hope; the best is yet to come. If there were mistakes made last year, or if you feel you were not treated right, can we hope that this year will be better and mistakes will not occur?
Through our (yours and mine) active faith, productive love and persevering hope not only the church will become more spiritual but also the world will become a better place to live and work for the glory of God.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.