Try the marshmallows

I have been asked by a friend to preach at their ordination service next week. This is quite an honour and privilege and I have been wrestling with what one might say at such an important moment. I have been pondering over different Bible passages and considering the ordination vows and in doing so have been given cause once again to consider my own spiritual journey.

In my considerations this week I stumbled across the opening response of the Heidelberg Catechism – ‘I am not my own but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful saviour Jesus Christ.’ Wow! Better not use that quote too often! Many today prefer a Christian faith less in your face than that. We prefer marshmallow ahead of caramel – less chewing and it goes down easier.

‘I am not my own but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful saviour Jesus Christ.’

In today’s secular society these words must surely be considered close to heresy?!
I am not my own. Of course I am my own! If I belonged to someone else it would mean having responsibilities and being accountable for my actions. I have responsibilities to my family but they are of my own choice, so let’s just keep it contained there shall we.

We live in an options world. I’m not as young as I used to be so can be forgiven for being a little slow; but I do try to keep up with new things. Texting nowadays is more Hebrew than English as we have learnt that we can communicate without vowels. A new word has entered our lexicon – Apps. No, it is not short for Fuji or Granny Smiths; I think it is an abbreviation for applications. All that we need is at our fingertips.

In today’s consumer world matters of faith become another ‘app’, something we can plug into should the time or occasion arise. In fact you don’t have to go anywhere to do this because of course we can get our church on-line these days as easy as we pick up a bargain on E-Bay.

I continue to drift back to Studdert-Kennedy the missionary to China who gave up everything to follow the call of Jesus. He was once asked why he gave up wealth and fame to follow Christ and he replied, “If Christ be God and died for me, no sacrifice too great can be, for me to give, I give my life as a living sacrifice.” (Romans 12:1,2)

As I said at the beginning, way too serious for many to cope with; Marshmallows go down easier.

I think that many of us prefer the Readers Digest version of faith. At a quick glance it all seems to be there but a closer inspection reveals that it is actually the condensed version and some key things are lacking.

‘Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own. For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.’ 1 Corinthians 6:19,20

You probably don’t get the above in the condensed version. Pity really; as it is probably something worth giving thought to.

If Christ be God? What if..?