Letters From Grandpa #523

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 523

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will be about 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” The Scriptures are clear that we are to do what Paul did and “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)

The word “apostle” literally refers to “one who is sent”. “Apo” means from, and “stello” means to send. There are three levels of apostles mentioned in the Bible. (1) Jesus was sent by God and He is therefore “the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Hebrews 3:1) In this regard Jesus is unique. There is no one else who was sent from God as Jesus was. (2) The second level of apostles are the 12 who were sent out by Jesus. This too is a unique group. No one is sent out today as Jesus sent out the 12 two thousand years ago. (3) The third level of apostles are those sent out by the church. This would include men like Barnabas (Acts 14:4), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25), and others. Today we call them “missionaries.”

Paul went to great lengths to show that he was an apostle who took his directions directly from Jesus. He began his letter to the Galatians by writing: “Paul, an apostle – sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father.” He further pointed out: “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

This then is the example of Paul that we are to follow. We are slaves to Jesus and not man! If we do things just to please men we are no longer serving Jesus (Galatians 1:10). So - “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) This inspired advice is for everyone. Everyone is to do what Jesus wants them to do! “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ doing the will of God from your heart.” (Ephesians 6:5-6). Everything we do is to please Christ and not men.

One Bible word for “slave” is “doulos”. It comes from the word “dew” which means “to bind”. It is used 126 times in the New Testament Scriptures. The people of Rome understood this word for historians tell us that one out of three people in Italy were slaves. Thus Paul began his letter to Rome by saying: “Paul, a servant (doulos) of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.” (Romans 1:1) Paul not only considered himself a slave to Jesus, but also considered all Christians a slave to Jesus: “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:16-18)

There is nothing wrong with being a slave if your master is God! In fact, even though Jesus was God, He willingly made himself nothing and took upon him the form of a “servant” (doulos) Philippians 2:7.

If you want to cut 100 boards the same length it is easier and more accurate to use a pattern rather than a tape measure. Each board you cut should be measured by the original pattern. No matter how hard we try, the copies are not as accurate as the original. So Paul did not confer with Peter or any other apostle to determine what he should preach. Everything he did, he did to please God and not men. Water from a spring is more pure at it’s source than it is a 100 feet, or a 100 miles down stream.

The late Mitch Boyes was a devout believer who worshiped with us at the Fairview church. He told me that his boss once asked him to lie about a business transaction. Mitch wisely refused to do so. He explained that even one lie would destroy their personal relationship. He said: “If I would lie to please you, you would never be sure that I wouldn’t lie to please someone else. Consequently you would never know when to believe me.” Mitch chose to always tell the truth and thus please God rather than men. Fortunately he did not lose his job.

It is inevitable that at some point in your life you will be forced to choose between pleasing God or pleasing men. If your decision offends anyone, don’t let it be God! It is better to be like Jesus and Paul and always make your decisions based upon what you are convinced God wants you to do. Even if it means losing your job, it is better to lose your job than it is to lose your soul! Paul said: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

To Paul “Christ is all and in all.” (Colossians 3:11) St. Patrick of Ireland was so in love with Christ that he wrote the following words on his shield: “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me., Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.”

Yes! Let’s follow Paul’s example, even as he followed the example of Christ!

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce