Lenten Devotional - Day 30

Scripture: Romans 5:3-11

“and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:5, 8)

  Over the years, I have extended many invitations to recovering people to join me during Sunday morning worship, frequently I am told, “I’ll go back to church after I get my act together.” In response, I’ve told them “God is ready for you now, I would hope the church could be the place where you can get your act together.” Sadly, many recovering people did not see it the way I did, they had come to believe that the church was unwilling to accept them until their act was together, that the church only accepted perfect people, not flawed.

  This approach to the church makes about as much sense as the person who only hires a housekeeper after they have cleaned the house. We don’t need something after we have already did it. Of course, the chances I will ever get my house clean is about as possible as I will ever get my act together completely as a person. I know I need God each day, if I have any chance to keep my act together. The church should be the place where we learn how it is God will help us become a better human being. Jesus does not call us to go and find disciples who are already disciples, no he says, “Go and Make Disciples.” Paul tells us that God proves he loves us first, while we still don’t have our act together.

  I did unfortunately learn on my own why many recovering people believed they needed to become perfect first. I had worked for many years to get churches to open their hearts and doors to accept those recovering from addiction, but repeatedly I was told by pastors and others these people were not welcome within their church. I don’t get angry often, but these comments did make me angry. What I saw within these recovering people were individuals eager and hungry to learn and practice the things God had to offer, but others too often told them it was beyond their reach.

  The general sense of Scripture is that we have all erred and messed up. "All we like sheep have gone astray and turned to our own way" (Isaiah 53:6). So, we need a pardon and we know it. This wonderful, life giving message is not just for us within the church, but for all, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (v. 6) As the church, we are called together as the family and body of Christ, so we as a community can help one another, get our act together, recognizing that God first took the initiative, “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (v. 8)

Lee McDermott, Contributor

Remember in Prayer: Our ability to see God’s grace alive and well around us.

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Lenten Devotional - Day 19

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

“If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,” (1 Cor. 12:19-22)

  In teaching congregations about evangelism and hospitality, I have often emphasized that today’s visitor may be that special person God has sent us who will be essential to the future life and ministry of the church five or ten years from now. God often takes a long view of our church’s ministry, rather than just addressing or meeting our immediate, short-term ministry needs.

  In 1 Corinthians, Paul invites church members to realize and act upon their essential unity in Jesus Christ, instead of focusing on our differences in status, opinion and practice. In 12:12-31a, Paul continues his line of reasoning about the proper use of the gifts of God's Spirit within the life of the church. God's Spirit has chosen and empowered individuals to work closely together for the common good (v. 7). No one person has everything the church needs, and no one gift is possessed and used by every person; thus, every person's spiritual gift is needed. Diversity and unity are held together in Paul’s imagery of an individual as part of a collective, working together for the same purpose.

  Paul uses the parts of the body as an illustration for what it means to be the church and looks for ways each part of the body can function at its best. We are the eyes, ears, feet and hands. We are part of the body of Christ. We are dependent upon each other. We function best when we realize that despite our differences we all work together toward the same goal.

  Often churches want to increase their church membership, but they want people who are just like them. Unfortunately, the supply of people just like us has been depleted. Paul is telling us, we can’t all be feet, we need other body parts to be whole. The church that is faithful to their mission is the church capable of encouraging people who are much different than themselves with different stories, experiences, talents and skills. They can and will teach us many things about God we have missed and breathe new life into the church’s life.

  Each of us needs to accept our role and celebrate others role which are different than ours, and work for the common good of our calling in the Holy Spirit. We each have experiences, stories, views unique to us, which has the power through the Holy Spirit to impact the world around us. As Paul reminds us, “On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,” (v. 22) The stories and capabilities of those in recovery can play a prominent role in the future ministry of our church. God sends us others who will join with us in a common ministry and can help us recapture what it means to go and make disciples.

Lee McDermott, Contributor

Remember in Prayer: The ability to welcome those with different gifts.

Click Here PDF - Day 19 Devotion