I Timothy 6-II Timothy-Titus-Philemon-Hebrews 1
Just looking at all the ground to cover in this segment made me wonder if it was 28 hours--but we are now into the "little books,"--little in size but with quite a bit to say. That is if we have ears to hear. I will confess that it took some work at the beginning. I kept wanting to argue with the writer. What is this great desire to protect the status quo? Do you have any idea how these books are going to be used to beat people up in the centuries to come?
But of course they didn't. They were not writing the Bible--they were writing letters. I would hate to have some of my letters in the Bible! (Not that there is any possibility of that!)
In the midst of it though, there are words that I needed to hear. There is an admonition to really think about what we are chasing after in life. The writer reminds us that food and shelter are enough--and I agree, but that house on the marsh on Daniel Island really is nice! And I would like to have a new pair of riding shoes, and a driver, and if only I didn't have to be concerned about how we are going to pay for the wedding and tuition and taxes and and and. It is easy to get caught up in the desire for more and more--with our souls getting less and less. A good hard word!
The entire book of II Timothy reads like a letter of encouragement--to a young minister or any young person (young being anyone under 65!) Again it is a call to be true to one's calling. What I appreciated today is the reminder that as much as we think we are "of one mind," the fact is that there are those who will oppose you, will reject you, will just not be going in the same direction. So it has always been! The writer just seems to reject them outright! Oh, if only I were so sure of my "rightness." There are those who are so sure of their orthodoxy/orthopraxy--but to me reek of hypocrisy. It is obvious that this writer had no problem castigating them, calling names, and then leaving it to God to work out. It would be interesting to have some of their letters!
In Titus and Philemon I felt like I really was reading someone's mail! Very personal reflections. It is obvious that Paul didn't have any problem using guilt to get what he wanted from Philemon! I just wonder if he was ever plagued with thoughts of intention?
The books are getting shorter, but still much to chew on! We are heading into the last week--so toss your reflections in! This isn't a private party!
1 comment:
I'm going to try being less negative today. Like you, Don, I was encouraged by Paul's words about living out one's calling, despite what others may say, about remembering those who taught us along the way and honoring them by continuing on the right path even when it's hard. And like you, I was also very convicted by his talk about materialism. If that's not a word for the 21st century American church, I don't know what is! There are days when I realize that I have enough, that I am wealthy in comparison to much of the world, and that if I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back and a car that will get me from point A to point B, I really have nothing to complain about. But there are also days when I visit a friend's new house and think enviously that my apartment is so shabby by comparison, and my car is too old, and my clothes are not the latest style, and my iPod is not the newest model . . . the list could go on forever. Those thoughts lead to jealousy and bitterness and ingratitude and wrong priorities, and "all kinds of evil." Paul definitely got that one right.
I kind of felt for Paul in these later letters, as it sounds like he is lonely in his old age and imprisonment. Friends come to visit him but others have let him down in various ways. And it must have been hard for him to send Onesimus away, but he felt it was the right thing to do. I have to hand it to him, he did follow his conscience even when the cost to himself was high.
I've been looking forward to Hebrews. I very much like its poetic language and talk about faith and exalted descriptions of Christ. What I do not like is the creepy John Malkovich wannabe voice they have doing it here! I will just have to get used to him.
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