In a number of places in Scripture, Paul asks his audience to make certain to make sure to pursue a certain lifestyle. To pursue certain qualities. He knows it is not what people say that matters. It is what people do.
Speaking is part of doing. It is an important part. This “speaking” and “doing” that Paul is concerned about are the things that arise from everyday living.
A philosophy has no worth if it can’t be brought into the real world. It has to be able to be practiced at work, at school or in the home. It must be doable playing football, baking bread, writing a program or writing a symphony.
One of the main qualities Paul calls us to pursue is unity. When a person chooses to follow Jesus a number of factors enter into his\her life that cause him\her to become aligned with all the other who follow Jesus. There are differences, just as there are in any family. Even identical twins have differences. But our commonalities ought to produce enough centripetal force that it is stronger than the centrifugal force.
But unity does not mean uniformity. Paul says Jesus gives each one an individualized allotment of grace. Jesus’ family is not a mass produced army of clones. Rather, each one is a hand-crafted masterpiece. Each one is set into a beautiful mosaic; precisely placed to maximize the wonder of the artwork. Gifted men are given, not to do the work, but to train the family so the family can do the work.
With all the members of the family doing the work, each in his\her individual way, the value of each person grows in importance. With all the members of the family doing the work, each in his\her individual way, the potential for transformation of society and culture increases.
Speaking is part of doing. It is an important part. This “speaking” and “doing” that Paul is concerned about are the things that arise from everyday living.
A philosophy has no worth if it can’t be brought into the real world. It has to be able to be practiced at work, at school or in the home. It must be doable playing football, baking bread, writing a program or writing a symphony.
One of the main qualities Paul calls us to pursue is unity. When a person chooses to follow Jesus a number of factors enter into his\her life that cause him\her to become aligned with all the other who follow Jesus. There are differences, just as there are in any family. Even identical twins have differences. But our commonalities ought to produce enough centripetal force that it is stronger than the centrifugal force.
But unity does not mean uniformity. Paul says Jesus gives each one an individualized allotment of grace. Jesus’ family is not a mass produced army of clones. Rather, each one is a hand-crafted masterpiece. Each one is set into a beautiful mosaic; precisely placed to maximize the wonder of the artwork. Gifted men are given, not to do the work, but to train the family so the family can do the work.
With all the members of the family doing the work, each in his\her individual way, the value of each person grows in importance. With all the members of the family doing the work, each in his\her individual way, the potential for transformation of society and culture increases.
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