As I begin a study in II Corinthians we come across some of the standard terms used by Paul in his letters. One of them is the word “church.”
The word in Greek is ekleisia, spelled many different ways, which is the root for our English term ecclesiastical. It is a compound word, a combination of “out” and “call.” Thus the church is literally “the called out ones.”
If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ you might wonder why Christians sometimes seem different and weird. It is because we are, or at least we are if we are genuine. We are called out of the pagan world to serve a new Master. We are called out of a way of living and told to be salt and light.
That does not mean we do not care. It means that we are to care more than before. Salt brings savor. Salt preserves. In some people salt brings high blood pressure.
Light illuminates. It lets people see the warts. It shows people the things they might trip over.
So if you are part of the called out ones, don’t be arrogant. Be salt and light.
homo unius libri
Yes, let is be so.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace