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We Are Covenant People
Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6
Lately, I have been pondering the issue of "covenant," largely because of the tensions within our denominational family and in many of our churches. It baffles me to understand how we have come to the point where threats are being made about breaking the covenant of our relationships. How sad this is, and what a pathetic witness to the world. How tragic when those of us who call ourselves disciples of the Prince of Peace do not live together in peace and patience with one another. What a betrayal of our Baptist principles--principles that speak of soul freedom, of biblical freedom, and church freedom. Those distinctives affirm that we can give one another the space to follow the dictates of our conscience and that the Holy Spirit is able to help us and teach us as we continue to be together as Jesus' disciples. Our dialogue and honest prayer can help us find our way in a world of complexity and diversity.
The "aroma of Christ" which the Apostle Paul speaks of is surely not one of discord and broken relationships. Surely as the Spirit writes on the tablets of our hearts, the message is one of redemption that we are called to claim, to live, and to share.
Having indicated my own concerns and sometime sadness, surely the good news is clearly stated by the Apostle Paul, good news that we are called to embrace and to share. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6. "Our sufficiency is from God who has qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life."
So let us humble ourselves before God and engage redemptively with one another. There is great, good news–thankfulness–triumph–life! Hallelujah!
Let us pray this prayer of confession: "Have mercy upon us and hear our prayer, O God. We have failed to live in the light of your covenant. You set your rainbow above us, yet clouds of unbelief darken our days. Distrust wells within us; fear, not hope, is our watchword. Your Beloved bids us follow, but we are slow to obey. Without your grace, we are fruitless and inert. In mercy renew us and bring us to life, through Jesus Christ. Amen."
Dwight A. Neuenschwander
Minister Emeritus
First Baptist Church, Boulder, CO |
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