2002.1.6. Washingtonian(31) - Rev. Young Jin Cho

Follow Jesus

Romans 15:1-13

In the course of church life, we occasionally hear the people commenting on quality of person's faith but there is a problem with this type of comment. It depends on what is being used as a yardstick for evaluation. What standard do we use to say one's faith is good or bad ? How can you tell whether one has faith or not. Some may disagree evaluating someone else's faith because the faith is personal and subjective. Therefore, perhaps, we should not declare whether he has or not. Teen feet-deep water can be known but one-foot deep of one's mind cannot be known. That is true, and human cannot judge the depth of faith. Only God can do so.

However, we cannot agree 100% with the above assertion because the faith is not merely personal and internal matter. Faith transcends simple theory or idea and even the internal conception. The faith is living; man lives according to his believing. Thus, the faith can be manifested in his living and we can detect the quality of his faith. With this understanding, what standard can you apply to measure his faith ? How does a person with good faith differ from others ? What needs to be revealed ? There are many answers but this morning I like to extract the answer from the perspective of human relationships. Through the dealings with other human fellows, a part of his faith can be reflected. Of course this claim may not be receptive by many individuals, especially who are introvert, arguing that a weakness in human relationship area is due to an inherent personality rather than his true personality. Do you think that one's faith can be shown in his relationship with other fellows ?

I.

Today's reading is related to last week's chapter 14. Friends ! Do you remember what I preached about ? The title was 'Love one another in spite of differences." I stressed that during our spiritual journey, flexibility and different views can exist among the believers. Also, I described the ways we can accept one another in spite of differences. Being different does not denote weakness, and focussing only on different attributes of others may destroy more important work of God. Today's reading pronounces that understanding and accepting the differences reflect the life of Jesus. While reading today's scripture, I was attracted to the key word "follow Jesus Christ" (15:5).

The Christians are called to follow the life of Jesus. As stated in the Korean United Methodist creed Jesus is our master and role model. In bible there are many indications urging us to follow Jesus and walk closely with him and live according to Him. Let's read the last stanza of Hymn # 518 (Lord, I want to be a Christian):

"Lord, I want to be like Jesus, In a my heart, In a my heart.
Lord, I want to be like Jesus, in a my heart."

Yes, we all are called to live according to the way Jesus lived. He is our role model and our master. He stands before us to lead our lives.

II.

Let's be more specific. Friends! What style represents the living pattern of Jesus? How does today's reading present the answers? What depicts the life of Jesus from dealing with the believers? (1) First of all, the life according to Jesus, is embracing the failings of the weak. Let's read 15:1, "We who are strong ought to bear the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." What does it trying to say ? It says that the strong should not criticize why one became weak and failed to achieve. The strong is advised to place himself in a position of weak with an attitude of acceptance and willingness to bear the burden together. That was exactly how Jesus lived. The Philippians 2:5, confirms the fact that He was a son of God and was in the form of God as well but he abandoned such a privilege, and did not consider equality with God. Instead, He made himself humble and came to us as human likeness. He was born humbly in manger and remained profoundly humble until he died on cross. His humbleness reached even to the point where He was ridiculed with a finger pointing at Him.

In church, occasionally we see beautiful encounter; that is by the secular standard, the two people should be distant but in church they are exchanging warm fellowship. By educational and social status, they are incompatible but in spite of many differences a happy unity prevailed between them. I felt very happy and fulfilling. Fellowship among the homogeneous people does create comfortable environment which is pursued by many people of today. But living opposite to this trend is an example of a good faith. Friends! How is it possible ? Isn't because the strong and learned humbled themselves? Isn't because the weak ones were not criticized but accepted? Isn't this attitude of love a reflection of Jesus?

Our church has a reputation of including many learned people, and for that reason the outsiders think that the unlearned can not survive. And, moreover, we are too indifferent. But many new comers are saying that our church is different from what they had heard before. Also said that we are not noisy but composed with modest attitude. It is nice to hear such comments. Of course we should try harder. At least trying to humble ourselves as Jesus did is a big encouragement. The church should demonstrate an exceptional example different from the secular world. Our society is competing to arrive at high and dominant level but we should compete to become humbler.

(2) The second fact to remember is that our living is not to please ourselves but for our neighbors. We were selected for that purpose. The German theologian, D. Bonhneoffer called Jesus as "a man for others" because Jesus did not live to please himself nor did he live a self-centered life. He lived a life centered around others in order to please them. In 15:2, Paul urges, "Each of us should please his neighbors for his good, to build him up." Friends! There is a paradoxical truth; we attempt to possess more and more to fulfill our satisfaction but it brings deeper unsatisfactoriness . On contrary, those who give abundantly to neighbors, experience rewarding life and satisfaction. For that reason, we should not hesitate to follow Jesus who lived for others. Having in abundance seems to bring comfort but sharing more abundantly with others, guarantees the comfort. Living for others is not depriving one's ego. Because of a clear conscience of Christians and faith, a matured spiritual life becomes revealed. This was the life Jesus lived, and Paul urges us to undertake a life pattern of Jesus.

(3) The third point I wish to emphasize is the living according to Jesus, for it brings an unity. Let's read 15:5-6, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement gives you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Jesus so that one heart and mouth you may glorify the God." Jesus came to the broken and divided world but accomplished uniting peoples. The broken relationship between God and men, and among peoples were restored through His love on the cross. He became a servant of the Jews to confirm the promises made to the patriarch and also for the gentiles so that they could glorify the God. Humans produced numerous divisions and conflicts but Jesus brought healing and unity. Jesus healed the wounds between Jews and gentiles, blacks and whites. The walls came down between poor and rich. For learned and unlearned, men and women, old and young, and regardless of the origin of birth place, Jesus came and granted them an unity. Therefore we, the followers of Jesus, must preserve the unity. Division and conflicts need to be resolved for sake of unity. The Christians are not split makers but peace makers, and we bring the peace and unity. People of matured faith need to invest to this commitment and pursue a life that reflects Jesus with all-out effort.

III.

Jesus is our hope, our master and our way. Through Him, we can embark a healthy spiritual journey and our church can exists as His tool for restoring a community of love. Today we are installing new stewards, officers, and deacons. Friends! How do you plan to serve ? I wish that you serve as Jesus did. Humble yourself and accept the weak and pursue a life centered around others rather than your own. Only this attitude brings a happy unity in church which reflects the Lord's purpose; a community different from the world with the manifestation of true fellowship.

Last year, after the conclusion of the baseball's world series, there was an article which choked me with grief. It was about the Korean pitcher of the Arizona's Diamondbacks. His performance frustrated many of us. During the 4th and 5th game, his pitching produced unwanted home-runners resulting the loss of both games. After that performance, I could not sleep. He was known in his team for his constant sleeping habit; in locker rooms and in buses. The writer asked, why did he have to sleep so much at age of 22 ?

The reason was he did not diffuse well in this country, thus became distant from his team players. He preferred to close his eyes instead of sitting alone without speaking. The writer wrote, during this world series, Kim needs to wake up. Why ? Because this world series no longer made Kim a lonely person. When he failed to lead his team during the crucial moments, no one in his team criticized him, instead embraced him with encouragement. The coach said, "He is our relief-pitcher and if the similar situations arise, he will be still the pitcher. We could have not come this far without his input." When his pitching produced home-runs, he sat down on ground with disappointment but the catcher came and encouraged him. During the last 7th game of the world series, the fans displayed placards "This win is for Kim" and "We'll Be OK" All these encouraging acts by others played a pivotal role for regaining his confidence. Prior to the last winning game, Kim said " All these time, I played baseball alone because I was a relief-pitcher and thought that the game would be won only if I pitch well. Now, I realize that I and other players are all one family, therefore win or lose, all belong to us." This article was entitled "Kim, Byung Hyun who discovered us". In spite of his serious mistakes, his team mates and fans accepted him with encouragement. Even the professional baseball teams embrace one another. How about the churches of today including our own ? What is my standing ? Does a spirit of unity prevail in me ? Am I living according to Jesus ?