Kingdom Building
October 18, 2019
Scripture Reading:
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. –2 Timothy 4:1-5
There are a lot of itching ears in our world, seeking teachers to suit their own desires. I suppose we all do it one time or another. I remember well a wonderful, well-education, and sensable couple upon hearing the wife had untreatable cancer and would only live a few more months, sought every unproven sham cure on the market today in hopes of a miracle cure. They never found one. They did quickly find themselves so that they spent the last few weeks of her life in meaningful, loving support of each other.
What is the dis-ease that is epidemic in our land that causes people to turn to hate and division instead of love and oneness? Have we tied ourselves so closely to the gods of wealth and power that we cannot excise ourselves from its fraud? In our complex world, is the simple solution of love to trite for us? We are not called to judge anyone; the scripture above reminds us that judgment is Jesus’ job. We are called to love, which includes doing justice, seeking mercy, and walking humbly with our God. Evil makes the world chaotic, not God.
Are there shadows of deep disappointment,
And trusts that have proven untrue?
Has the darkness of night settled round you
Has your hope and your faith wavered too?
Chorus
Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus,
He’s the Friend who always cares and understands.
Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find Him
And you’ll know Him by the nail prints in His hands.
Prayer: God be with us as we strive to love you and love all those made in your image. Amen.
*Verse 2 and chorus of standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus https://www.streetdirectory.com/lyricadvisor/song/caelaw/standing_in_the_shadows/
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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.