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Have you ever
heard someone say, “There is no use reinventing the wheel?” Exactly what
did that person mean?
I would interpret this phrase to mean you do not need to spend time
looking for a new solution because a perfectly good one already exists.
What is amazing to me is the amount of time and effort that people spend
trying to reinvent the wheel. Do you know that there are more than
30,000 wheel patents on file? How could there be more than 30,000
patents? What is there to change?
The truth is that in spite of the many wheel patents none of the patents
have rendered the wheel obsolete.
Like the wheel Paul’s practical advice about how to live a Christian
life is definitely not obsolete. Here is Paul’s advice. You tell me
which of the things are out of date, old-fashioned or out of sync with
our culture and world.
"Therefore
each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor,
for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin. Do
not let the sun go
down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil
a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must
work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have
something to share with those in need.
Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for
building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those
who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind
and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you.
Be imitators of God,
therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God."
Can you find one
thing that has no practical value today?
“Be truthful, don’t
let anger turn sinful, don’t steal, work honestly, share with the needy,
don’t talk trash, deal with others with kindness and forgiveness, live a
Godly life.”
What could be
discarded from Paul’s practical advice for Christian living?
One look at this morning’s paper and it is obvious that we do not take
Paul’s advice to heart. It is obvious that we live in a world where the
wheels have come off. It is also obvious that we don’t need to reinvent
the wheel; we simply need to put them into service.
A critical moment in every NASCAR race is when the driver pits to get
his wheels changed. At some point in every race it must be done. The
time is now for the world to head for the pits and change wheels. The
wheels of selfish ambition, arrogance, animosity, and acidic speech need
to be replaced with charity, compassion, forgiveness and commitment.
The wheel of charity. Charity means wishing good for others and behaving
so that good will befalls them. There is a story about a talented
organist, in the days before motor driven or electric organs. He gave a
very magnificent concert in which the big pipes sent forth glorious
thunderous tones. After people finished congratulating him, the little
boy who had worked with all his might at the bellows remarked, “We did
pretty well, don’t you think.” The organist scornfully replied, “And
what did you do?” He gave the boy no credit at all.
A month later, during another concert, the organist came to a stormy
passage that required all the wind of which the bellows were capable.
Suddenly the organ began to fade away. The organist signaled for more
wind. Instead the little boy pulled aside the curtain and said, “Is it I
or is it we?
Charity refers to sharing with the needy, sharing not just food or
clothing, but affirmation, encouragement, guidance, and compassion.
The wheel of
compassion
We often
consider compassion a feeling yet what compassion is really is a way of
seeing. Compassion implies empathy that allows us to envision ourselves
in the place of others. By envision ourselves in the place of
others we become aware of their suffering.
When Diane was working at the offices of the Dean of Academics and
Student Life she was asked by other office workers, “Why do you go out
of your way to be so helpful to the students.” At the time our sons were
in college and her answer was, “I just think this student could be one
of my sons.” Paul is reminding us of the golden rule, “Do unto others as
you have them do unto you.”
The wheel of
forgiveness.
“Forgiving one
another,
as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
A mother was
driving with her young daughter. Traffic was horrendous and Mom got a
little frazzled and began commenting on the habits and flaws of the
other drivers. I am sure you can imagine what she might have been
saying. As they pulled into the driveway the daughter spoke up. “I have
a question Mom. When you’re driving are you ever the idiot?”
Community does not work when we are always pointing the finger or always
looking for someone else to blame. I don’t care what kind of community
we are talking about, family, church or civic it does not work without
mercy. I am not an expert in world politics but I would be willing to
guess if we were willing to be merciful and to forgive, our warring
against each other would be over.
The wheel of
commitment
Paul said,
“Be imitators of
Christ…
live in love AS Christ loved us
and gave Himself up for us.”
Thirty-four
years ago yesterday I made a commitment, a decision to give myself to
Diane for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, till death do us
part.
This morning we made a commitment to pray for Rocco, to show the joy of
new life in Christ, to teach him about the love of God by our example.
Commitment requires more than a one time pledge. It requires regular
renewal, revitalization, and refreshing. Like tires on our cars our
commitment to God and one another needs to be reinflated from time to
time.
This is absolutely true of our relationship with God. Our relationship
with God needs renewal of fresh prayer, immersion in scripture, faithful
attendance at worship, and ongoing fellowship with each other.
When it comes to living a Christian life there is no reason to reinvent
the wheels of life Paul gave to us 2000 years ago. The wheels are
perfectly fine. What we need to do is make sure to regularly reinflate
them.
Amen
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