Paul's Spirituality 2

This heart-stirring chapter relates Paul's exaltation of weakness/pain/suffering as a paradigm for Christian living. Reeves suggests that we modern American Christians relate to Paul much like his original (Corinthian) audience did, viewing his call to "weakness" as stupidity. I would suggest that, since the Corinthians could not ignore what was being spoken and written directly to them, they were more outspoken of Paul's theology. We, on the other hand, most often simply ignore it rather than confront it directly. Nevertheless, Paul called his original audience--and would certainly call us--to reorient how we view success and blessing.

Reeves uses death as his springboard in this chapter. Reeves writes, "for those of us who have died with Christ Jesus, if his death teaches us anything, it's this: what looks like failure is really victory; what appears to be loss is actually gain; what seems to be shameful is the place where honor is found; and what sounds like mourning is actually true worship." (41) It is through death--both Christ's and ours--that true life comes. Likewise, it is through pain that we are healed. It's through suffering that we find God. It's through insult that we realize what's important. It's through loss that we discover true value. The way to know God and experience the power of his resurrection is a narrow path of pain.

We tend to think that if we could get into a position of power or study the worlds problems long enough to gain insight, THEN we could really impact the kingdom of God. Yet, Paul proved that it is through weakness and foolishness that Christ is preached. The Corintians loathed Paul's poor personal presentation and lowly career. He should have been a paid philosopher who could impress people with his skill and brilliance. Instead, he was a beaten-down, blue-collar bumbler who could barely express himself. And, such a person was the instrument of God for the Gospel!

Reeves, with his typical sarcasm, mocks our Christian culture. Only the most (numerically/financially) successful pastors write books worth reading. Only the most slick speaker and catchy sermon can really reach the ears of the lost, or so we think. We try so hard to make Jesus relevant, yet Reeves asks, "Who said we're supposed to make the Gospel--a scandalous message--relevant?" (44) Sure, Paul put the message into a cultural context. But, dying to self and taking up Christ's cross will never be "sensible."

So, Reeves thinks we need to reorient our values and line them up with Paul's. In regard to our view of death, Reeves makes some suggestions that are so timely that I want to type out much of his paragraph:

"Just for once I'd like to hear someone boast of the miracle of God's grace for the one who died. Her courage as she celebrated life in the middle of dying. Her strength as she continued to serve food at the shelter for the homeless. Her grace as she puzzled over why God didn't answer our prayers for healing. Her grief over the "bad" days outnumbering the good days. Her pain, her sorrow, her illness, her questions, her fears, her faith, her death. I wish we could learn to celebrate all of it--every bit of life--because the grace of God runs through it all. Don't we speak of Christ's death on the cross as the place of grace? Then why don't we boast about the believer's death as a graceful place?" (52)

For this reason, I celebrate my sister, friend, and mom-away-from-home Tracy Jewell. I celebrate her amazingly faith-filled family and their beautiful hope. I celebrate her husband and his demonstration of Christ's love for the church, displayed in the way he treated his wife. Chris will never ever know how much I admire him and long to imitate his example. I celebrate my best friend's faith, proven to be of true value as he walked through the refiner's fire. I celebrate my pastor, who so faithfully and worshipfully preached the type of sermon Reeves suggests. And, I absolutely praise God for the renewed perspective that death brings. I would never wish the pain on anyone, much less people I care so much about. Yet, it's a great blessing to watch God work in the midst of it.

So, I heartily agree with Dr. Reeves. We must begin to have a cross/resurrection centered perspective. Let's strive to read Paul for who he is and seek to imitate him in his weakness. For, when we are weak, then God is strong.

-Matt