Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Chemistry
- Chemistry asks whether the person in question can work with the other people that God has called.
Chemistry might be a bit of a stretch for today’s reading, but
hear me out on this one before you judge me too critically. Much of 1 Corinthians 8 – and even portions
of chapter 9 – deal with the fact that we should not make something sinful that
is not sinful. Yet, at the same time we
shouldn’t flaunt the use of things that aren’t sinful in the face of those who
think them to be sinful. This is about
give and take.
On one hand, this is about chemistry in that often in ministry we
need to seek out those who see through similar eyes. If I am doing ministry with a bunch of people
and they see many of the things that I do as sinful behavior, then there will
be a perpetual stumbling block between us and the ministry will constantly be
interrupted. Therefore, part of
chemistry is having much in common with the way that we see things in the
world.
However, a good piece of chemistry is also being able to be
comfortable with differences as well.
Not of us will even be carbon copies of one another. We will all have differences. Therefore, part of being in ministry with one
another is finding people who will not take offense at our differences as we
likewise do not take offense at theirs.
This likewise takes and builds chemistry between people.
Chemistry brings people together around shared values. Chemistry also allows us to have differences
but still come together under the one Triune God. If we want to be effective in ministry around
us, we will have to have a chemistry that allows us to celebrate shared values
and gives liberty to differences. Once
again I am reminded of the great saying by St. Augustine: “In essentials,
unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.” There is a saying that summarizes 1 Corinthians
8 & 9 as well as the discipleship concept of chemistry.
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