Who Matters?
So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7 NASB
Is anything – Paul is pretty important. In fact, without Paul the present version of the Christian church would probably not exist. Oh, I know. Paul is misrepresented and misread by most Christian theology, but there is little doubt that Christianity claims Paul (in its rendering) as the founder of its theological doctrines. Yes, “Jesus” matters, but it’s the “converted” Paul who really sets the stage for Christian thought. So when Paul says of himself that he is nothing, we’d better pay attention.
The Greek construction is short and sweet. After the negative oute, the key words are estin ti. It’s an expression that basically means, “isn’t anyone,” that is, “this is a person who really doesn’t matter at all.” Why would Paul say such a thing? Well, maybe we need some historical context before we explain away his self-deprecation. First, Paul already thought of his past achievements as insignificant in comparison to his understanding of the Messiah. Secondly, Paul wasn’t Saint Paul in those days. He was just another rabbi doing his best to introduce audiences to Yeshua HaMashiach. Thirdly, he wasn’t a professional theologian. He was a bi-vocational servant of the King. And finally, he considered himself chief among sinners. Paul didn’t come with the glowing résumé of sainthood or founder or most brilliant theologian who ever lived. He arrived a man of humility and submission, broken but willing, a fellow sufferer.
And he recognized that anyone could have done what he was called to do. You see, it didn’t depend on him. It depended on God. God chooses whom He wishes to serve. If Moses had refused, there would have been another. If Joseph declined, another would have taken his place. And Mary. And Paul. And you. And me. If God chooses, God prepares. So there is no fear of not being equipped. That means someone else can always fill your place. There are plenty of workers in God’s labor pool. In fact, the only person who was uniquely picked for a role that no one else could ever play was Yeshua HaMashiach, and even he was expendable. In the divine scheme of things, God matters. Everything else is just part of the plan.
How odd then that we are so consumed with whom we follow, quote, approve, cherish, extol. Tell me frankly. If God causes the growth, everyone else is just a gardener. Everyone else is just pulling weeds, hauling fertilizer, pruning stems. How about you? Are you willing to just work in the dirt?
Topical Index: is anything, estin ti, humility, service, ego, 1 Corinthians 3:7
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. From dirt I came, to dirt I will return.
In the meantime, I try to act as if I am really more than dirt animated by the breath if Elohim?
I am that I am. Formed earth by the hand of him who somehow breathed life in to me. Wonderfully made, yes, but still dirt energized by power beyond my comprehension and ability to grasp. Incomprehensible, yet powerfully evident.
I am dirt ingrained mysteriously with the image of the Master of the Universe. No different, really, than common clay. I am but mere clay, capable of being molded by the hands of a loving and wise Elohim into that which reflects his very character.
If only I would acknowledge who and what I am. Dirt. Clay. Such that I have been given and allowed options to choose or deny life in relationship with the very One who formed me.
If I’m not willing to work in the dirt I must be in denial of who I am. Dirt is real estate. Working in the dirt is as real as I get. From the dirt, when properly cultivated, comes growth, new energy, life.
Thanks, Skip, for faithfully tilling the soil. Thanks for reaching your hands in to the soil allowing us to watch and participate in your life gardening and helping us learn, discover, and experience the hidden life, energy and growth in our Elohim empowered dirt life with you. I am in great need of learning from those who’ve travelled farther than me. Many others run swiftly along bypassing me to fend for myself. As you go by, you have extended your hand toward me offering help, guidance, suggestions and assistance in this often mysterious and challenging life.
You have yet to push me, only step forward and lead. You have yet to criticize me, only to offer helpful direction and options for me to consider and decide for myself. You have yet to make demands of me but only open your life up such that moves and motivates me to seek truth no matter where it leads and brings me to regardless of tradition. You have yet to do anything but love me and others that makes me fulfilled to simply be dirt, content and functioning adequately when yielded to the potter as he somehow works his will effectively day by day.
My Elohim reached down inserting his hands in the dirt. With his hands he formed my shape. He then somehow infused his image of life in me. I want to reflect my creators’ image. I want to be like him in every way. He worked his hands in the dirt. It is essential that I do the same, is it not?
Thanks for getting your hands “dirty,” Skip. You faithfully show me how to better get my hands in to the dirt. It is invigorating to have someone willing to stop, listen and then bend down with me to grapple in the dirt of life stuff and offer his struggles in learning how to garden in the dirt. Each day I revel in the task of moving back to paradise, the garden from whence it all started.
I love you, brother.
Well stated both Skip and Michael C.
I am so grateful for this site, and the contact with all of you who are urging us all onward on the path. It kind of reminds me of the exodus from Egypt. From the perspective of the angels, might it look similar?
I’m surrounded by dirt!
But the ground I stand on is holy!!!
Skip,
Sometimes it is awesome just to dig in the dirt. And you know what, it takes all the pressure off to understand complex ideas, just act! I am so thankful for you, Skip, and your work. These are heavy issues we explore. But I am starting to find that things are getting simpler for me. (after probably 8 years of studying your work!) Why read anything into the text that is not there? Since I can’t read Hebrew or Greek, I am relying on you as my teacher to help me understand what it “really” says to the hearers of the word at that time. In the end, I start with “Love God, Love my Neighbor”, expand it to “Feed the hungry, provide drink to the thirsty, visit those sick and in prison, and take in the stranger”, and finally to act as my Savior would act. I am not sure it shouldn’t be as simple as that, but our Greek minds want to continue to ask why, why why? It is funny when I hear Christian friends using the term “what would Jesus do?” I like to answer, “honor the Sabbath (Saturday), keep kosher, celebrate the festivals.”
I know this issue of the Trinity is a huge one for those with a Christian background. It is sad to lose even one because of the struggle with that issue. Just as you have been effected by the one, so too would Yeshua weep for the loss of just the one. I find that I struggle with these complex issues and the fact that they continue to be taught and what exactly I might do about that. In the end, I rewind to the above – my Messiah set out a message that can be so simple. Maybe I should really listen when He says, “my yoke is easy and my burden light”.
Thank you again for all that you do. You have impacted me and the lives around me and I am certain that there are many others that would say the same. Have a blessed day.
Jim
Skip (and all), I believe Jesus shows this topic as the base for real FAITH –
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,”the Lord said, “you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
“Which one of you having a slave tending sheep or plowing will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’? Does he thank that slave because he did what was commanded? In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unneeded slaves; we’ve only done our duty.’”
Luke 17:5-10
“Without me you can do nothing.” – Jesus
“You have no need that anyone teach you…” – John, the apostle
Even more evidence on how to strengthen our faith from the apostle John (in 1 John 3) –
“Little children, stop or avoid loving in word or in tongue, but instead in truth and action. In this way we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our hearts in God’s presence, if our heart blames us, because God is greater than our heart and he knows all things. Dear friends, if our heart does not blame us, then we have confidence before God.”
Is it any wonder why James said faith without works is dead?
Hi Skip,
I think I matured a little spiritually the day I realized that the salvation business “is all God’s doing”! He even causes us to grow as Paul showed in the Scripture you used today! Our job is to get our wills and ego out of the way and let Him do His Work in us. Salvation is HIS game from start to finish. And ultimate failure is not part of His modus operandum!
In his letter to those lovely brethren at Philippi Paul wrote:
“And I AM SURE that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6) RSV Emphasis mine
“..broken but willing, a fellow sufferer.”- Skip
This is the crucial part, a participation in the plan of YHWH, to be willing and humble to submit to Him above all else.
“Are you willing to just work in the dirt?” Yes! Working in the dirt happily brings forth wonderful results that bear fruit of our labour. :- )
I remarked the other day as I was digging to plant herbs and fruit trees, that ABBA would be so pleased as we would be to see our labour blossoming, and will in time bring forth fruits, to His joy, and ours.
With the digging there were worms visible in the soil, that is great! I was overjoyed! Worms will fertilize the soil further to produce better sweeter fruit.
תּוֹלָע a worm – worm, maggot; worm, grub; the worm “coccus ilicis” which produces the commercial scarlet dye through dying to itself.
Psa 22:6
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
A fellow sufferer. HalleluYAH.
Shalom.