Living in the Spirit
November 9, 2014
Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. –Matthew 25:12-13
This quote from scripture is probably the saddest words we could ever hear. God created each of us, knew every atom in our being from our start, and sent us forth into the world with the freedom to take advantage of the talents and skills God invested in us for good or evil, or not use them at all. So, how is it that we could reach a point in life when God could truly say I do not know you? The best definition of sin with which I can identify is that sin is being separated from God whether on purpose or by neglect.
We, who call ourselves Christian, try really hard to define sin as behaviors, most often someone else’s, or specific beliefs that do not pass our judgment of what it means to follow Christ or live a moral life. Indeed, there is no question that Jesus called on us to love one another and share our experiences and knowledge of God with others. He never said we got to select the ones we are to love by their behaviors or cram what we believe down another’s throat. In fact, it seems to me we may have created some role reversal in our attempt to make disciples. We somehow turned that into a theme of advancing personal salvation based on our standards when it was God all along who longed for a personal relationship with each of God’s children and we were actually called to be a community of faith, helping each other grow and flourish in the all-inclusive family of God.
I walked into my mother’s room and took her hand as she lay in her hospital bed. She smiled at me and said, “Marilynn is coming to see me today.” In fact, I was the one who told her that just a few days earlier. I replied, “Mom, I am Marilynn.” She studied me hard and finally said, “No you are not; you are too old.” I said, “I am sorry to have to tell you this but you have a daughter that is as old as me.” She looked again, and kind of grinned, while she had not recognized this old woman setting in front of her, she knew that personality. God wants us to live our lives in such a way that although we may have white hair and wrinkles, when God sees our hearts, God can say, “Welcome home my child.”
Prayer: Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. Amen.
* http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Just_a_Closer_Walk_with_Thee/
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.