Asides

May 2
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

In the tug and pull of daily living, we are apt to forget how God feels about His children; but Paul offers to us this reminder: We are “holy and dearly loved.”

To be holy is to be like our heavenly Father, because He is holy — which is to say, “separate,” or “uncommon.” Separate, because we follow only our God. Uncommon, because the world doesn’t see many who live as we live: “[Clothed] with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

To accept that we are “dearly loved” is the fire of inspiration; it is the freedom to go beyond ourselves; it is the frame that informs and circumscribes all of our choices.

It is a rare and wonderful state to be holy and dearly loved by God; and that is us. Today. Live it!  – Luther

Tagged , ,
May 1
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. . .”  (Philippians 1:27a, NIV)

To be a disciple of Jesus means surrendering the privilege of self-justification. 

Paul reminds us that external circumstances must not dictate our response. In all that we do, our sole ambition is to please our heavenly Father. We engage in self-justification at the risk of causing the gospel of Jesus to lose its opportunity to engage those who need it.  

Today, resolve to conduct all of your affairs in a manner worthy of the good news of our Lord. We can do no more; we should expect from ourselves no less.  – Luther     

Tagged , ,
April 30
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3, NIV)

As we mature as disciples of Jesus, we ought not to fret the appearance of “trials of many kinds.” According to James, such occasions are opportunities to develop in us the endurance that is required for the days ahead.

We should also look at “the testing of [our] faith” as a natural step in validating it, as an examiner tests the knowledge of a physician before he or she is licensed to practice medicine; or as a flight examination tests the knowledge and technical proficiency of a commercial pilot before he or she is permitted to carry members of the paying public. 

Who would knowingly consult a physician whose knowledge had never been tested? Who would knowingly board a plane whose captain’s flying skills had never been examined through testing? Testing is a good thing.

We can “consider it pure joy” in the hour of trial because we know that it validates our faith; and develops within us the endurance we need for all future challenges. Because we are being made ready, we may smile in the trial. – Luther

Tagged , , , ,
← Older posts
Newer posts →