Saint Scott

I know – it sounds weird, right? And no, I am not being arrogant or demeaning or rude. I am trying to be clear and honest with myself and others. Because this is the reality: if we are in Christ, we are holy (being made holy). And that has some pretty important consequences for me and for everyone else in my life – and I mean everyone.

Why should I be nice to my neighbor? Why should I be polite to the person in the street – even when they are not polite to me? Why should I stop to help someone who has some trouble? Why should I go out of my way to help someone who I have never met? Why should I be good for someone I know – even after they have hurt me more than once?

Is it because I am human and that’s what humans do? Well... that is not what I see daily. And if it were what we see daily, then simply asking the question would not hold any interest or raise any eyebrows.

Is it because I am a ‘good’ person and if people were just good, then society would be better and we would all have a wonderful life? Well... I do hear this a lot. But no one seems to want to explain what ‘good’ is and these same ‘good’ people will say ‘no’ to some of the questions above because there is no reason to do it.

And this is where holiness enters the room. But remember – as I have mentioned before – our concept of ‘holy’ has been distorted. We look for people who are as perfect as we can imagine in some way – people who do more than any other in trying to follow God. But God tells me – and you – that WE are to be holy.

Holy is not reserved for the few who are really trying, are really good. The rest of us will never attain to that height of goodness and we should not expect to, we say. But God tells us:  “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”  1 Peter 1:15-16

And this impacts how I view everyone around me. God, who is holy, brought His holiness to me. He approached me. He made it possible for me to come to Him. He cleansed me in Jesus Christ. How then should I see other people? The things God touches become holy – set apart for His use. He has touched me and wants to use me. And when I accept people around me, when I am kind, polite, good – as my Father is to me – then I am bringing His holiness into this world. Not because I am holy in myself, but because I am allowing His holiness to live through me.

How I view others – everyone around me – must be based on how God views them. And God wants to save every one of them, as He did me. He loves them with a love that cannot fail. Other nations, other races, other socio-economic levels – these are things that separate. God is the one who is breaking down walls. He does this in Jesus Christ and He does this daily by working through me (and you) in our daily interactions with the people around us.

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. ... In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  Ephesians 2:17-18, 21

Time is money

I love that God places us in a family, a place where we can and should learn from one another in many different ways. Recently our young brother from Ghana who is studying in Aachen, Germany, had the sermon. He made a very clear point for us all to think about. It came from a passage that I had read many times before. That’s what I love so much about God’s word and His plan for His family. We continue learning.

When Joseph sold a piece of land and placed the profits at the feet of the apostles to be distributed among the needy in the church, he was showing the character that the Holy Spirit in him was creating – a character of encouragement. The apostles gave him the name Barnabas because of this (and other things – as we later come to see). And we all understand when we read this history that this is admirable and should be followed as an example in our lives.

But society at that time and in that area was largely agrarian. It was quite a sacrifice to sell a piece of land. And it made quite a difference to the people in the church. This is evident in the reaction of Ananias and Saphira. They wanted so much to emulate the action and get the same kind of praise that they were even willing to lie about what they were giving – even though they did not have to!

How many of us own land these days? There are still some. And of course there are people who are financially blessed and able to give money. But there is something we all possess that is actually quite valuable. Are we willing to share? Are we willing to sacrifice? We all know: “Time is money.” How much time am I willing to offer up for my brothers and sisters. I may not have anything to offer in financial help and what I could offer might not really help much at all. In fact, what I might offer could even bring problems for my brother or sister – because of the systems in our society.

But I have time. You have time. On what am I spending (or wasting) my time? Can I think about how my time – which is precious indeed – could be better used to help others? What a good challenge to consider. Yes – our possessions are also not our own and can and should be shared with those in need. But our time is also not our own and should be put to the best use: in our families, with our neighbors, with those in our communities, in the church.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20