Contemplation #133
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.” 1 John 3:14
If there is a sign which indicates that we have been transformed by the resurrection of Christ, that his newness of life has taken true root in us, it is that we have become people who love others. John’s use of “brothers” here is not like the sectarian usage so prevalent in Christian circles, where this is a term only given to select people that we deem are worthy because of religious belief and practice to be called “brothers.” Our participation in the resurrection of Jesus is not seen in how we love only those who believe like us, for how would that be an imitation of Christ’s love? If my love is simply favoritism for my “Christian brothers” it is not much of a sign that I have passed from death to life, for any pagan loves those who are like himself.
Contemplation #134
“If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” Romans 6:5
There is a promise and hope in Paul’s words which assure us that choosing to die with Christ, in a baptism of selflessness and faith, destines us to his resurrection. But he also goes on to point out in this passage that he is speaking not only of looking forward to a resurrection of the last day, but to a new life now. The transformation from old life to new life that is symbolized in the going down and coming up of baptism, must be intentionally pursued in a life that both puts to death the now foreign sinfulness that persists, and seeks to nurture the beginnings of holiness. This work is most difficult, but we can be certain that we will be united with Christ in this newness.
Contemplation #135
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
Resurrection can only come after the suffering of death. Here Paul tells us that we must with determination plunge ourselves into the sufferings of Christ, if we want to enjoy the mysteries of his resurrection. If we concentrate on the work of embracing the death of Christ within our hearts and being, the resurrection of a new person in the image of Christ will occur quite naturally. The part of this that lies within my grasp, and to which I must conform, is the suffering and death. Just as Jesus was raised not by his own power but by the Father, so we cannot raise ourselves but only lay our lives down for God to raise us.
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.” 1 John 3:14
If there is a sign which indicates that we have been transformed by the resurrection of Christ, that his newness of life has taken true root in us, it is that we have become people who love others. John’s use of “brothers” here is not like the sectarian usage so prevalent in Christian circles, where this is a term only given to select people that we deem are worthy because of religious belief and practice to be called “brothers.” Our participation in the resurrection of Jesus is not seen in how we love only those who believe like us, for how would that be an imitation of Christ’s love? If my love is simply favoritism for my “Christian brothers” it is not much of a sign that I have passed from death to life, for any pagan loves those who are like himself.
Contemplation #134
“If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” Romans 6:5
There is a promise and hope in Paul’s words which assure us that choosing to die with Christ, in a baptism of selflessness and faith, destines us to his resurrection. But he also goes on to point out in this passage that he is speaking not only of looking forward to a resurrection of the last day, but to a new life now. The transformation from old life to new life that is symbolized in the going down and coming up of baptism, must be intentionally pursued in a life that both puts to death the now foreign sinfulness that persists, and seeks to nurture the beginnings of holiness. This work is most difficult, but we can be certain that we will be united with Christ in this newness.
Contemplation #135
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
Resurrection can only come after the suffering of death. Here Paul tells us that we must with determination plunge ourselves into the sufferings of Christ, if we want to enjoy the mysteries of his resurrection. If we concentrate on the work of embracing the death of Christ within our hearts and being, the resurrection of a new person in the image of Christ will occur quite naturally. The part of this that lies within my grasp, and to which I must conform, is the suffering and death. Just as Jesus was raised not by his own power but by the Father, so we cannot raise ourselves but only lay our lives down for God to raise us.
posted by Greg at 9:59 AM
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