Approaching Advent

As we approach Advent, it's good to remember who our Jesus Christ is:

• He is the key to the Cosmos, the Word of God come among us, the centre of all whether or not all acknowledge Him. Jesus is the One whose inherent integrity gives shape and significance to everything that is noble, good and true.
• He is the bringer of hope, the fulfillment and fulfiller of all that God our Creator has purposed and promised. He is the vine that overflows with fruitfulness and fullness, replete in the generosity of God's glory and goodness towards us.
• He is the manifestation of our heavenly Father's full, loving care for our humanity. He is our Father's true Son and our true, elder brother. He is the pure and righteous One who has fully and unconditionally entered our sinful predicament to embrace us in our degradation, taking all our sin and sickness to Himself; and to lift us up in His resurrection, clothing us even now in the presence and power of His transforming love.
• He is the declaration of God's judgment over the world. He is the demonstration of a consecrated life that worships God by offering His body, mind and emotions into an investment in showing mercy, pursuing justice, caring for the poor, marginalised and oppressed; and standing over against unrighteousness, selfishness, greed and exploitation.

From childhood to adulthood

When I read Paul, I see him through the eyes of an Irenaean and not an Augustinian anthropology. That is, where we see sin as arresting the development and maturing of people. And salvation menas entering in again to this process. What does this mean? We see it in the passage in Galatians 4.8-20.

Role models (Gal 4.12-16)

Paul appeals to the Galatian believers to model themselves on an imitation of his life (4.12), on the basis of his incarnational replication of the ministry of Christ among them (for I became like you).

The call to imitation is based on the effectiveness and appreciation (4.14-15) shown towards Paul’s ministry. This can only arise out of involvement with people and their observation of his life. This is basic to Paul’s perception of apostolic ministry. It is about involvement and incarnation, following the pattern of Jesus Christ Himself.

You only have the right to teach and disciple people you care about and minister to. Relationship and investment of self in others comes first.

A developmental approach to people (19-20)

See people in the reality of their continuing struggle to put to death the sinful self. Sharing in the birthing pain of God for them. Being there for them in the time of transition.

This requires a. constancy of love in the face of disobedience
b. identification, not judgment, supporting through the struggles

Life’s not about black and white issues. Paul recognised this. So should we.