At church we’re going through a series called “At the Movies.” Pastor Jeff uses a different movie each week to explain a spiritual truth. Today’s movie was Over the Hedge. Now, I love this movie. It’s hysterical. And it was interesting to see how the pastor used it to tie into the message. The message was essentially about dying to self on a daily basis in order to live for God. At one point, Jeff told us all to commit suicide daily. What can I say? It was funny.
Other thoughts…
Christianity is full of mixed metaphors. Half the time I’m being told that I should be in love with God (or Jesus), the other half that I should view him as my Father (or my brother). So…am I supposed to be in love with my Father? Ew. Now I know that those seem like “duh” things to say, but I think that realizing that this morning gave me some insight as to why I’ve never been able to say that I’m in love with Jesus. And I’m okay with that now. In the past, it always made me feel like a failure as a Christian. Now, I realize that God is just God. He’s there. He’s not my lover. He’s not my brother. He’s God.
And I read another verse today written by Paul that made his ick factor go up for me.
I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. (1 Cor. 15:31)
Do you see that? Just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. Maybe I’m just not understand the verse correctly, but to me this looks like another instance of Paul declaring how he’s better than everyone else.
I’m going to the zoo this afternoon – with S. We’re just going as friends, but I’m excited for a chance to finally just hang out with him.
When you read the verse from 1 Corinthians, try putting the emphasis on glory instead of over.
Instead of, “I glory OVER you”, try reading it as, “I GLORY over you”.
Like “as surely as I rejoice over you.”
At least that’s how I’ve always read it.
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Yeah, I’ve always read the verse to mean that Paul is proud of his brothers and sisters. I dunno.
I know what you mean about the mixed metaphors thing. I view Jesus mostly as my lover, sometimes as my King. But I have a hard time seeing him as my father. Maybe that’s because I have an amazing earthly father, so I don’t feel that void like many people do.
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I just found your blog yesterday, so am a bit late in responding. If you read 1 Corinthians 15:31 in the Amplified Version, things are a little clearer:
“[I assure you] by the pride which I have in you in (your fellowship and union with) Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily — that is, that I face death every day and die to self.”
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