J.O.Y.

(Jesus Glorified)

 

I Corinthians 8:1-6

 

 

The coming three Sundays are a period of preparation for the end of the year. They are also a preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

This season called the advent season. According to the dictionary, Advent means:

1. The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important

2. a. The liturgical period preceding Christmas.

    b. Christianity The coming of Jesus at the Incarnation.1

 

We are waiting for an important thing to happen. We all are waiting for an excitement. We used to wait during this season for the coming of Jesus. Nowadays people are being more inclusive and politically correct. So we call this season: “Happy holiday season.” Therefore, I wonder for the non-Christian. What is he/she waiting for?

 

We all are looking forward for some excitement in this season. How? I am not sure. Receiving gifts, giving gifts, eating wonderful meals, not working, spending time with family, going on vacation. These are some activities that I hear around this time.

 

There is nothing wrong with these activities. Yet we get so much involved with doing things, that we forget the main celebration.

 

I suggest that on these advent Sundays we, as CACC congregation, look back to the year 2006 and examine our lives and see where we stand.

 

I chose a passage from I Corinthians because Paul is encouraging the church in Corinth and asking them to watch out from “knowledge that puffs up”. He wants his congregation to have love, which “builds up.” He gives important instructions to the Corinthians in chapters 8-9-10, that are applicable for us today on these last Sundays of the year.

Once I heard from Rev. Paul Shepard about basic Christian principles that apply in this passage. He thinks Christians should live by the principle of JOY. Beside being joyful, he means:

J: Jesus should be Glorified

O: Others should be edified.

Y: You should be sanctified.

 

A good way to examine your life. Did my life reflect these principles?

When I look back to 2006, do I see that Jesus was glorified in my actions?

Do I find that others were edified in my conduct?

Do I find my life closer to God by living a life of sanctification, a life of Christian growth and learning?

 

Let us look at our passage. Paul has a problem with people who are after just gathering knowledge. Knowledge without God’s love will not help you. In fact, knowledge without acknowledging God will puff you up.

 

In verse 3 Paul writes, “But the man who loves God is known by God.”

You see it is not how much you know. It is more important that you are known by God. It is not important whether all your questions were answered. It is more important that your name is written in God’s book. Be careful from those who think they know something. Be careful if you think you know everything.

 

 

We will continue in English

 

 

1- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/