2023-07-23 A Meditation on Affinity

“11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Th 5:11 ESV)

The bonds of affinity spiral this way and that. It is however a rare thing when we have compassion and bond with a friend on New Testament terms. Those terms overlook all the wonderful ways people vibe off of each other, and all the wonderful ways we long, yearning for nearness of bodily frame but also of intellect. Somehow, all this commiseration and camaraderie yields to the question: are you Saved?

Are you saved means are you a little touched, moved by the acceptance received at the hands of the many. It means are you coming clean as to how in a former life you walked a bit differently, did some things that cause glances to disengage, eye contact lost, a little “Oh”, and “Hmm”. For where do we Christians properly stand? Is it as those constantly trying to say “First one there!” regarding our confession of sin? Hardly! But it is our peculiar investiture and cloak, to appreciate our fellow Man, Woman, because he/she has heard us, heard the plea, reconciled in their own frame with our testimony, become one spirit in friendship.

And then to engage with the unbelief, with the doubter or atheist; these things try our same bonds of affection, for as we submit to the unity, we might guard and fear for our personal faith walk. No need to, though! For we know the doorway, and can go far and wide in the spirit, in the intellect, in the gentle walk side-by-side without losing sight of what door we as Christians enter via, joining again the flock, the good seed, the healed and cherished by One Above.