May we learn to offer our will up to the sacred and the holy. May we seek to follow Christ, more than we seek to be right. May justice and right relationship be in our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
Romans 1:1-7
1Paul, a servant* of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit* of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1) "...servant of Jesus Christ;" "...power according to the spirit of holiness;" "...we have received grace and apostleship;" "...obedience of faith;" "...all God's beloved;" "...called to be saints;" "...grace to you and peace;" "...the Gospel concerning his Son;" "...according to the flesh;" "...according to the spirit of holiness;" "...we have received grace and apostleship;" "...obedience of faith;"
2) How are we doing at obedience? Its one of those words that so many of us bristle at. Individualism is so enshrined in our culture, the notion of obedience is poorly received. I want to be sure about to whom and to what am I being called to obedience of faith? Obedience and "strong wills" tend to mix like oil and water. Funny... I wasn't really paying attention the other day as I was following a recipe on a store bought product. The instructions had me sautéing onions in a large amount of oil, then instructed to pour in a half a cup of water. Oil exploded splattering over the stovetop. Obedience and strong wills combine the same way. The temperature in the church is so high. So much needs to change in a short period of time. It's the 21st Century and the world isn't what it used to be. And I encounter so much, "Do it my way, or I'm going to leave," or "I wouldn't participate in a church that did X." How do we lower the temperature so that it becomes possible to add obedience to these strong wills so that things don't keep exploding?
3) What is the invitation in all this? Keep an eye on the temperature. Make space for the inevitable splattering. Put on a really big apron that covers everything that might be vulnerable (the whole armor of God?).
"Holy One, help us recognize the need for obedience to your will."
Breathprayer: "Bring about... the obedience of faith."
No comments:
Post a Comment