Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 33rd Edition.
Dear New Israel,
I trust that God is keeping you well, in these uncertain times. Yesterday we saw in Philippians 3:12-16, the need to leave the past behind, and focus on the goal. Today’s passage (verses 17-21) wraps this thought up.
Walk (verse 17). The word walk here means conduct, way of life. Paul encourages the Christians to pattern their lives after his. The greatest challenge of our time is that we seem to have few or no role models. We glorify sin, as long as the sinner is successful, theft, as long as the thief flaunts his ill-gotten wealth. In one of our schools, children were asked what they wanted to be, when they grew up. Quite a few wanted to join the police force. Asked why, they replied, “The police always have money.” Where will we find people whose righteous ways others can imitate? Would you and I take up the challenge to “Set the believers an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity,” (1 Timothy 4:12)?
Watch out for the greedy (verses 18-19). Unfortunately, some people are in Christ for whatever material benefits they can reap. A friend of mine quit his job in a bank to start a church, because “that’s where the money is.” Some preachers have made themselves a brand and are franchising to other preachers for a fee. Others have perfected conmanship in the name of “sowing and reaping.” This is a biblical concept that has been misrepresented by many preachers. The idea of giving an offering in order to get an answer to prayer or prosper materially is contrary to the teachings of the Bible. God blesses those who give generously, willingly and without expecting anything in return. The way that modern sowing and reaping is designed, the parishioners sow, the pastor reaps! This earthly, material focus is enmity to the cross of Christ.
Wait for the Saviour (verses 20-21). We are strangers and aliens here on earth. We should not focus on the things of the land in which we are foreigners, but on home. Our “Citizenship is in heaven,” and our saviour is coming from there, to transform us, so that these lowly bodies that yield to every sinful appetite will become like his glorious body. This is what we should eagerly await. It doesn’t mean that we ignore this life, but we should not be planted here. This is not home.
Your loving Pastor Chris.