During the recent Baptist World Alliance gathering in
Jamaica, Glen Stassen received the Human Rights Award, recognizing his years of
stalwart work in peacemaking initiatives.
His writing and activism have been transformative on many fronts; his
inspiration to his teaching colleagues and students is immeasurable. I add my “well done” alongside a cloud of
witnesses who bear testament to his ministry among us. He stands as a measure for incarnational
discipleship.
The
lectionary texts for next Sunday offer ways to assess our stature before
God. The prophet Amos has a vision of
the Lord with a plumb line, demonstrating God’s own judgment of the uprightness
of Israel (Amos 7:7-9). God’s justice
and mercy always determines the reality in which humans participate.
The epistle reading, Colossians
1:1-14, singles out Epaphras for special commendation. “He is a faithful minister of Christ on your
behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit” (vv. 7-8). The apostle wants members of the church at
Colossae to emulate his character.
Finally, the Gospel reading
recounts Jesus’ conversation with lawyer who seeks to justify his own
character. Surprisingly, the Good
Samaritan becomes the plumb line for righteous behavior. This “other” was moved with pity, a key
aspect of being truly neighbor.
The goal of
our lives as Christians is to be “conformed to the image of Christ Jesus.” This is our life’s work, and grace empowers
us to be faithful in this pursuit. Christ
has found us along the road and bound up our wounds, and his healing makes us
whole. God lavishes us with mercy, and our sinfulness cannot extinguish the
light of Christ, which continues to burnish our true selves.
Perceiving
the presence of Christ in others encourages our spiritual formation. Holy transparency to the transforming power
of the Spirit of God offers concrete testimony, a pattern worthy of imitation.
Ultimately,
Christ is the measure of our lives, and we only understand ourselves in light
of his “full faithfulness,” in the words of Baptist theologian James Wm.
McClendon, Jr. May our hearts’ desire be
someday to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant” as God takes the full
measure of our lives hidden in Christ.
Molly T.
Marshall
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progressive seminary, continuing visiting our website.
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