Together

Last Sunday we learned that Sainthood is current (not confined to the dead), corporate (Saints gather and work with each other) and Christ-centered (Saints focus on and follow Jesus).  These are good things.  But why does the Bible call us to be saints?  Why is being called a Saint of value?

I heard a Ted-talk about mentoring.  As I listened the speaker reflected on how their pre-success life was filled with uncertainty, isolation and loneliness.  I went to several similar talks about being mentored and found that every single person, before they got to a better place, felt isolated, alone and without any real anchor.  We know what happens to a boat when the anchor is lost?  It drifts, consigned to go where the wind or the current takes it.  All of these people were in that situation before they found someone who would give them time, guidance, discipline and encouragement.  It was almost like they were sleep-walking through life and suddenly a solid and healthy relationship caused them to awaken, become focused and begin to grow into the person they were made to be.

In this context, I looked at Sainthood from a two-edged perspective.  First, it is clear that God desires us to live out our faith with other Christians.  Acts 2:1 finds the pre-Pentecost Church gathered "together in one place."  They didn't know everything that was about to happen, but they were called together so God could speak to them, lead them and send them out.  I can almost imagine that little gathering!  Some were probably arguing.  Some were telling stories and jokes.  Some were probably sharing the local gossip.  The serious ones were discussing plans, schemes and options.  Like a quiver of arrows, they were available, even if they were in a state of inaction.  They were together.

But there was something else happening in that little room.  Matthew 18:20 gives some insight here.  "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there!" Jesus said.  Romans 8:27 tells us that the Saints have God's Spirit with them.  They are together with each other, but God's Spirit intercedes for them, even when they are weak (actually, I think especially when they acknowledge weakness).  Our earthly friends and fellow believers are wonderful mentors and encouragers, but God's Spirit actually takes our needs straight to God.  That is powerful!

The Christian artist, Michael W. Smith shared a story about this.  He said he was living in his very ample house in Tennessee, doing life by publishing and performing pop Christian music.  He had friends (good Christian friends) who were there for him and who were his community of Saints, but something was troubling him.  That something came to him in a dream, encouraging him to regroup, re-center and re-think what his music had become ... performance.  God's Spirit (connected together with God and with us) continued to encourage a regrouping, rethinking and re-centering.  Finally, Smith relented to the nudging of the Spirit and he and a number of Christian artists gathered and recorded a new album devoted to worship and the centrality of Jesus.  He said that the verse that kept coming to him as he was working was Esther 4:14, particularly the phrase "for such a time as this."  The album was released on September 11, 2001.

Paul's words, God's Spirit and my heart seem together on one thing here.  We need those other people who will keep us accountable and be there for support.  We need God's Spirit to nudge us and lead us to God's plan, not our plans, passions or pet projects.  We need to worship in Spirit and Truth.  And we can do none of those things except through a God who loves it when we acknowledge His Lordship and our need for God and each other.  Romans 8 goes on to say that by this wonderful process, "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose!"  Those people ... broken, weak, struggling ... are called Saints.  Praise God!  Randy