LIVING CREATIVELY

What do you think of when someone mentions ‘being creative’, or ‘living creatively’? Does this mean that we are to aim for a flourishing life? Or perhaps it means being fulfilled? If it is either of these, what does ‘flourishing’ look like, or what does ‘fulfilment’ look like?

The Apostle Paul had a very clear understanding about this. This is what he explained in the final section of his letter to the Galatians:

6 1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. [The Message]

In this context, living creatively requires a humble stance. It means bending over to help others, even when they have made a mistake that needs forgiveness and mercy. Forgiveness is not simply ‘ignoring’ the event. Nor is it holding court over the event.

Biblical forgiveness is owning the event and looking to help the person involved so that they can repent, be reconciled, and learn how to grow into Christ more through the event.

But the warning that Paul also includes is salutary and is consistent with what our Lord and Saviour Jesus taught: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Matthew 7:12l NIV) That is, how would we want to be treated if we are the one who has wronged another? Would we want the opportunity to be forgiven and the relationship to keep moving forward? Would we want help to not make the mistake again?

Such teaching is radical compared to many ideas in our current era. But this is very orthodox for those who are called into community by their Creator and is seen in another key verse that is reflected in many parts of Scripture: do justice, love mercy, walk humbly and faithfully before God. (Micah 6:6 and Matthew 23:23)

How will we review these life principles in how we live together in our Christian communities that are undertaking Christian education?

 

Stephen J Fyson