I was thinking about Paul’s final words to the Corinthians in his first letter (well, we call it his first letter).

“All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. [The root Greek word is "phileo," in a noun form. It is one of the words used for "love" which is more aking to "friendship" in other passages. Was there not another word Paul could have used?] The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. If any man love [Here is the same word, "phileo," as in the previous verse. Why wouldn't Paul have used "agape" when referring to love for Jesus Chist?] not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema. [Why did the King James translators choose to transliterate this word, which means "accursed"? Does the word choice imply a lower standard for relationship? (for example: "Accursed are those who are not friends with Jesus." That just doesn't seem to imply total commitment).] Maranatha. [It makes more sense that this word was only translitereated. It is of Aramaic origin. Some have said if the word is spaced "maran atha," it means "Our Lord has come," and if spaced "marana tha" it is a Greek expression and means "Our Lord, come!" I guess it is good the Jesus People of the 60's and 70's used this word as their battle cry, mantra, or whatever instead of the previous transliterated word…] The grace [Paul's favorite word and theme! How desperately the Corinthians needed God's grace…come to think about it, you can put us in that same camp!] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love [Now I'm really stumped! Paul assures the Corinthians of his love, which they surely didn't deserve. Well, that's now what stumped me. But this did. Instead of using the Greek word "phileo" (as he did when referring to loving Christ above), he uses the Greek word "agape." Go figure!] be with you all in Christ Jesus.”

And to you!

Hello Everyone!

I stumbled into an informal brother-sister teaching session. The subject was the dreaded subject of Algebra. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a nightmare (although if I were the student, it would have been). Patiently and with great skill the brother explained the concepts and the steps necessary in determining the value of “X.”

The sister, on the other hand—well, let’s just say, I think she knew the answer, but wanted her older brother to do the work for her. When the brother erased the marker board and instructed, “show your work,” the now-attentive-yet-exasperated sister remarked, “but I don’t like to show my work,” I was fairly certain I had the right impression. After all, why exert any effort to do something somebody else has already done for you?

Hmmm…a similar question echoed strangely familiar in the cavernous recesses of my empty head. It wasn’t by accident that the impromptu lesson in Alegbra connected with Hebrews 2:1-4 because it is the section of Scripture I was preparing for Sunday’s lesson.

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

After extolling the grandeur and greatness of Jesus Christ in His person and work, the author of Hebrews rattles his readers (or listeners) with a solemn warning to pay attention to what they just heard, then persuasively reasons why they should. In another context, in another subject, the author’s warning would be like determining that “X = 2,” then reminding, “show your work.”

Some of the Hebrew Christians wanted to abandon faith in Jesus Christ and return to the function of the Old Covenant. The Hebrew author exhorted them to not “drift away” (careless in faith) because of the character of Christ (2:1). Hebrews 1 carefully explained that Jesus’ person and work (character) is greater than that of the angels (in our day we could insert any number of substitutes that dare to compete with the absolute superiority of Jesus Christ).

Distinguishing between “transgression” (to cross the line, willful act) and “disobedience” (refusal to heed, deliberate, with full awareness, arrogant), the author further challenged his readers by reminding them of the reality of God’s judgment (2:2-3) for those who profess (know the facts, may even believe they are true) but do not possess faith in Christ, “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation….”

The author of Hebrews skillfully inserts this exhortation to challenge his listeners to take their faith seriously and to stir them to live confidently in what God Himself has confirmed.

So, why exert any effort to do something since Somebody else has already done for me what I can’t do for myself? Below is my woefully deficient, uninspiring summary of this passage. May it agitate you as it has me.

If I am careless in my relationship with Jesus Christ, I might not accurately reflect who Jesus Christ is and what He has done. If I fail to live in Christ’s strength, I may give the impression that God’s justice is not real. If my life doesn’t confirm God’s miracle of salvation by grace, will others (those without salvation or those who have erroneously convinced themselves they have salvation but don’t) become “shipwreck”?