Paul | Daily Encouragement

Reflections on a Disciple’s Life

“If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved; yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15)

Today, our nation honors the late former President Jimmy Carter in a state funeral in Washington, DC.

As I’ve personally reflected on the many remembrances from others of Carter’s accomplishments during his extraordinary century-long life — many of them related to his political career; the only enduring remembrances are related to what he had done as a devoted Christian disciple. In the 40 years following his defeat for a second term in the U. S. presidency, Carter used his stature as a former president to pursue the imperatives of the Gospel: Feeding the hungry, ensuring clean water for the thirsty, hospitality to the strangers amongst us, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and the imprisoned. (Ref. Matthew 25: 31 – 46).

Contrast his stewardship with the apparent stewardship of others who have left similar official positions of power and privilege only to “cash-in,” or to secure a place far, far from poverty, trouble, and the disenfranchised.

The scriptures remind us that all of our work will be tested, as through fire. What we have done for ourselves will not survive this test. Only what we have done for God, and for others — as if it were for Christ, will survive.

Paul, in writing to the disciples in Corinth — which was like the New York City of Paul’s day — said: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) It is easy to commend the life of our brother Jimmy Carter as one worthy of emulating. Not for the perishable baubles and fickle accolades of this earthly existence; but, for the deeds that count for eternity and are commended by our Father and Creator, God. – Luther

Tagged Carter funeral, Christian discipleship, discipleship, Jimmy Carter, Paul, President Carter, the book of 1 Corinthians

July 26

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“And it came to pass in our going on to prayer, a certain maid, having a spirit of Python, did meet us, who brought much employment to her masters by soothsaying, she having followed Paul and us, was crying, saying, `These men are servants of the Most High God, who declare to us a way of salvation;’ and this she was doing for many days, but Paul having been grieved, and having turned, said to the spirit, `I command thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come forth from her;’ and it came forth the same hour.” (Acts 16:16-18, Young’s Literal Translation)

A single word can, sometimes, make a world of difference.

The young girl in today’s scripture passage “dogged” Paul and his companions as they proclaimed the Good News, saying: “These men are servants of the Most High God (TRUE), who declare to us a way of salvation (FALSE).”

Here, it can get confusing because except for a literal, word-for-word, translation of the Greek New Testament one will probably find the word “the” instead of the word “a” in other New Testament translations to English of the girl’s characterization of the disciple’s message.

Paul and the others were not announcing one way of many ways; they lived to proclaim the way of salvation. It was this mis-characterization of their message that annoyed Paul and provoked him to “call out” the demon within the girl that was the true source of the half-truths.

As disciples of Jesus, our message today is the same as the message of Paul and the other disciples in the Acts: “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, New Living Translation)

If we believe that to be true, like Paul, we should also be annoyed at any attempt to mis-characterize or to alter the whole truth of God’s word — and do what we can to keep the whole truth of God’s word in the conversation. Words do matter. – Luther