ATHENS-CORINTH

We are in Greece - land of mythology and center for early world influence, art, culture, education, power and civilization.

Yesterday in Athens we saw the Parthenon (pictured at right). It sits atop the Acropolis, which means the ‘high point’ in the city.

One of the highlights (for me) was to stand on Mars Hill, where Paul preached to the Athenians in Acts chapter 17. I was honored to be able to share with our group about making the power of the Gospel real and life-giving to those around us, much like Paul did as he spoke to the disbelieving Stoics and Epicureans in Athens 2,000 years ago.

Today we were in Corinth, where Paul rubbed shoulders with Priscilla and Aquila for many months, joining them in their tent making business (this story can be read in Acts chapter 18). We visited some of the ruins of the various Greek gods and goddesses and one of the ancient Corinth agoras (open marketplaces).

I enjoyed giving another short message to our group revolving around Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. We actually had a stranger wander over and join our crew while the devotional was being given. Here in Corinth, where the patron god was Aphrodite, goddess of love, Paul ironically spoke to a Corinthian church who evidently needed a lesson in love.

He gives us a whole chapter of it – I Corinthians 13 – and tells us if we don’t have love, it’s all a waste. Greece is not the only place on the planet that thrives on myths – we have them too. One of ours is that if you just let your life drift, you will drift into becoming a more loving person. Not true. The drift in your life is always toward self. You have to be intentional about getting better at loving if you are really serious about it.

It could become one of our goals to eliminate at least one of the popular excuses people have for not accepting Christ – that we Christians are not loving.

Because church is not really a society or a special interest group, is it? Do you know what it actually is? It is a ‘pinch-me-I-can’t-believe-it’s-true’ club. It is a people enjoying the love of the Father and wondering why He would ever pick us in the first place. It is a rag-tag bunch of sinners who are just grateful they got rescued by Jesus and are enjoying the fruits of His amazing love. And I can’t help but think if we were all more like I Corinthians 13, a lot more people would want to join up.

And be blessed.