DAY 257

LOSERS FOR THE GOSPEL

Proverbs 15, 16 & 17 and 2 Corinthians 6

“Better is a little with righteousness than a large income with injustice.”

“Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.”

Many terrific proverbs today, the two I have highlighted are rather counter-cultural; our world would view these people as losers.

As we turn into the 6^th chapter of 2^nd Corinthians three things get my attention.

First, don’t let the grace you have received be in vain. Paul is not challenging whether these folks have received the Gospel; he is challenging if they are living it! It seems to me that many of us have accepted Jesus’ love, His grace. The challenge remains to live into it…and that is not always easy.

Second, is the plea to “open wide your hearts also.” Paul has been transparent, sharing much. In Paul’s day, his admission in a letter of being beaten, etc. would not win him friends…people wanted winners not losers. Paul proclaims in many ways he has been a “loser for the Gospel!”

The third point requires a look back to the Old Testament. Paul quotes 2^nd Samuel chapter 7 which refers to the Messiah, but he makes a few changes. In the 14^th verse of 2^nd Samuel we read: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.” In the 2^nd Corinthians passage we read: “I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me.” Paul is not just being inclusive…he is being intentional. First, in the Old Testament we read a very singular proclamation between God and his Son. In the New Testament we read a very plural one…God will be father to all who believe and all with be his sons and daughters. The intimacy of this is further emphasized by the Temple language. The Temple is where God dwells…and now we are God’s Temple!

Being a “loser” today is not a very popular idea; even some Christians preach that we are “winners.” We need to be careful, the culture of winning is seductive. Did the world view Jesus as a winner? “Losers for the Gospel” are people who let down their defenses which mean running the risk of getting laughed at. With our defenses down the love of God can flow in. Being “Losers for the Gospel” means letting everyone know how God has worked through your failures. Being “Losers for the Gospel” is what allows your heart to be contrite and humble…and therefore a suitable dwelling place for God.