The summer before our son Matthew’s senior year of high school, Peggy and I took him on a college visit to the University of Chicago. We gathered with other prospective students and their parents in an auditorium for a Q&A session with a panel of UChicago undergrads. At one point in this information session, a young guest asked, “Why should I not come here?” One panelist answered perhaps a bit too hastily, “We sometimes call this ‘the place where fun comes to die,’” he replied, adding, “The library is full on Friday night.” That’s all Matthew needed to hear. He enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis.
Truth be known, we are all called to be the place where some things “come to die.” To the church in Rome—and by extension, the rest of us—Paul writes, “If you live according to [the sinful nature] you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”1 To the believers in Colossae, the bold apostle elaborated: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”2 We could name other death row misdeeds—retaliation, accusation, division, and others—and perhaps we’ll delve into some of these in future posts. But today, let’s focus on character assassination and its various forms: gossip, slander, and embellishment among them.
Writing on the eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,”3 Martin Luther esteemed the treasure of reputation: “God wishes the reputation, good name, and upright character of our neighbor to be taken away or diminished as little as his money and possessions, that every one may stand in his integrity.”4 We are called to guard the good name of others, not disparage it. They may have “diminished” their good name on their own, perhaps even severely so, but this is not license for us to “pile on.” Do their flaws excuse us from seeking their wellbeing or justify us for defiling it more broadly? Do we not to some degree hold their reputation in our hands, or more to the point, upon our tongues?
We are often positioned to build up the good name of another, or to sully it. Paul exhorts us to choose the former: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs . . .”5 We can build up or tear down; we have this choice. Then choose the former: Be the place character assassination comes to die.
Father, fill me with a heart of compassion, so that I may love and support others with the same love and support I need and desire from them. In Christ I pray. Amen.
1 Romans 8:13 NIV
2 Colossians 3:5 ESV
3 Exodus 20:16 KJV
4 Martin Luther, “The Large Catechism: Part I, The Eighth Commandment,” The Book of Concord Online, par. 256, accessed October 30, 2026, https://thebookofconcord.org/large-catechism/part-i/commandment-viii/
5 Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Tag: A Word for Wednesday
Categories
Turning Points in Life
Last weekend, I participated in a Kairos Prison Ministry Weekend, wherein volunteers shared the love of Christ with participating inmates. The focus, patterns and content for each Kairos Weekend are the same, yet each Weekend takes on its own characteristics. Notably this time, I didn’t hear professions of saving faith in Jesus Christ, per se (although there may have been some unbeknownst to me), but virtually all the men experienced the Weekend as something of a turning point—an opportunity to look inwardly and upwardly, and to change the direction of their lives. Deep, genuine gratitude permeated the group. Here are some paraphrased testimonies from the closing ceremony.
I want to thank God. I was in darkness, but God sent brothers and gave me a family.
I wondered, what’s with all the cookies? Then I realized they touched my heart.
I was able to take down the walls that I’ve used to protect myself.
I thank God for the opportunity to be here. One thing that helped me bring down my walls was all the discussion around forgiveness.
I’ve been trying to turn my life around. We can’t be judgmental; we need to pick people up, fight our demons and go toward the Light.
We’re in a dark place. People give you fake smiles, but this weekend brought a genuine smile.
I love this whole Weekend. It helps get me ready to guide my children when I am released.
I learned to listen and not judge. I’m not perfect at forgiveness, but I’m learning.
This was a great experience. I was lost and am still lost. I’m trying to find my purpose in life. I want to find my light.
I have not felt this kind love in all my life.
Clearly, seeds of truth were sown into men’s hearts, and men’s hearts began to open, some a little, perhaps, and some a lot. (God knows for sure.) Yet that’s what Kairos is all about: sowing seeds of truth into the soil of men’s hearts. It reminds me of the historic account of a Samaritan woman who, leaving her water jar behind, hastened back to Sychar, heralding her encounter with “the Messiah at the well.” As the villagers made their way to Jesus in response to her testimony, He told His disciples, “The saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”1 Did you catch it? The work of sowing seeds of grace and truth is every bit as vital as reaping a spiritual harvest. Sowing and reaping—both are crucial, each in its own time.
Then when called to sow, sow confidently! If called to water, water prayerfully. And when sent to harvest, harvest joyfully. For the Lord of the harvest is with you.
Father, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” 2 Send us into your fields to plant, water, or harvest, that lives would be saved and you would be glorified. In Christ we pray. Amen.
1 John 4:37-38 NIV
2 Matthew 9:38
Categories
The “Greater Works” We Do
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”1—Jesus, to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion
Let’s call out the metaphoric elephant in the room, shall we? How does Jesus’ promise to His followers, “greater works than these will he do,” resonate with us? We read these words and nod in acceptance because Jesus spoke them, but doesn’t doing “greater things” than Jesus seem more aspirational than accessible? He’s the one who taught the truth, confounded the cunning, healed the sick, and raised the dead. And we will do greater things?
When we think of “greater works than these,” miracles first come to mind, of course. It is true, God still works miracles and wonders in, through, and around us. Were we to ask 20 randomly selected people how God has shown Himself to them in miraculous ways, I firmly believe we would be absolutely astounded at their stories (and perhaps rightfully convicted of our doubt).
But let’s also consider this one truly “greater work” God does through us, His people in Christ. Two thousand years after Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection, how big has His church become? (Remember to include “the church triumphant,” all who have gone on before us.) Billions! And still growing, still spreading! How, we ask? Through people! God continually redeems fallen people through people once fallen and now redeemed. Paul says as much: “[God] reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”2 Thus it has gone for two millennia and continues still: God reconciles fallen people to Himself, then sends them out as reconciled people to those still fallen. In the grace of God, we who rebelled against Him have the humbling honor of directing people back to Him. And the body of Christ relentlessly expands, spreading like wildfire yet today. And Heaven grows. That God would fix the world through us who broke it—what wisdom, what privilege; such love, such grace.
Paul continues, “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”3 So stand strong in your reconciliation to God through the atoning work of Jesus. For He has prepared works for you to do4—“greater works,” we might humbly say, the greater works of reconciliation and its fruit of growth.
Father, your wisdom, love and grace are beyond our comprehension. Thank you for making us your ambassadors and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. May you find us faithful to this call. In Christ we pray. Amen.
1 1 John 14:12 ESV
2 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV
3 2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
4 Ephesians 2:10
