Living in the Spirit

August 7, 2020

Scripture Reading: Romans 10:5-15

But what does it say?
‘The word is near you,
   on your lips and in your heart’

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’’ –Romans 10: 8-15

Accepting Jesus as Lord is not a final act, it marks the beginning of a new life in service to God. Accepting Jesus as Lord does not immediately result in perfection but institutes our journey toward Christ’s wisdom and truth.  Accepting Jesus as Lord casts out exclusion and demands the inclusion of all of God’s children as all are created in God’s image.

Think about a person in your history that routinely drove you to distraction. The one you moved across to the other side of the room in avoidance when they entered. This is the one you must love. Consider what in your life caused you to shun them. Consider what in their being created the behavior you want to avoid as you learn to love them. As people of God, we must consider what made us the way we are and compare that to the way God calls us to be allowing God to create in us clean hearts and right spirits*, as we work together to build the Kingdom of God. These are the ones with whom we must seek common ground for the Common Good.

Prayer: Lord, our world in chaos and needs the power of your love to save it. Let your love flow through us as we strive to love like you. Amen.

*See Psalm 51:10

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.