I started reading through Colossians on the train to work the other day. As I got through the first few verses I started to ponder through what a letter to New York would look like. Paul begins Colossians talking about their faith and their love for the saints. In other books, the author speaks to various people regarding the state of their church, the state of their faith. Sometimes words are spoken in loving confrontation. Sometimes in affirmation.
What would the letter to the church at new York look like? How would Paul approach us? How would he encourage us? What would he confront us about?
Would he say something like this?
We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8 NASB)
Or maybe this?
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:1-11 NASB)
Maybe this?
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, ``I am of Paul," and another, ``I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-4 NASB)
Truth be told, I am sure it would be a combination of things. I am sure that as the unified church we do some things right and some things wrong. I am positive that God is dealing with us in his own time and way. He's sending leaders to remind us of what Paul said thousands of years ago, the spirit to convict the hearts of the wicked, and grace to those who have fallen. Paul and his disciples spoke in truth and love in order to bring nations to their knees. I can only imagine what he'd have to say to us. I guess we have our own Pauls bringing God's truth to us.
What would the letter to the church at new York look like? How would Paul approach us? How would he encourage us? What would he confront us about?
Would he say something like this?
We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8 NASB)
Or maybe this?
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:1-11 NASB)
Maybe this?
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, ``I am of Paul," and another, ``I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-4 NASB)
Truth be told, I am sure it would be a combination of things. I am sure that as the unified church we do some things right and some things wrong. I am positive that God is dealing with us in his own time and way. He's sending leaders to remind us of what Paul said thousands of years ago, the spirit to convict the hearts of the wicked, and grace to those who have fallen. Paul and his disciples spoke in truth and love in order to bring nations to their knees. I can only imagine what he'd have to say to us. I guess we have our own Pauls bringing God's truth to us.
Great post Kim. I often wonder what God would say to us as well.
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