Living in the Spirit
October 11, 2018
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. –Hebrew 4:12-13
Many, at least in the USA, are living in a steady state of denial. The stock market is rising, and unemployment is low, so all musts be well, right? But all is not well. Our national debt is growing. I heard on the news this morning that scientist estimate that climate change will be unredeemable (my word not theirs) in ten years if we do not start immediately to curtail its development. While unemployment may be low, more and more people are not earning a living wage. The middle class is shrinking as are its values of fairness, hard work, and self-actualization. I grow weary of the daily reports of children and youth shooting each other or assaulting one another. The attitude that all is fair if one can get away with it is prevalent. How many young frat boys are going to drink themselves to death before that attitude loses its allure? Bullying is almost normal behavior any more.
Of course, it is not just children and youth caught in this cycle. They have some excellent role models for inappropriate behavior among adults caught in road rage or our leaders setting terrible examples. I thought about contacting my local TV station and asking them not to broadcast such inappropriate behavior until the 10:00 pm news so children would be less likely to be influenced by it.
God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart and does. God is holding each of us responsible for our actions particularly those that denigrate others and particularly those that set bad examples for children.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we fail to love one another as you would have us do. Prick our consciences with that double-edged sword each time we step away from your righteousness until we correct our ways. Amen.