Living in the Spirit

August 25, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 15:15-21

Therefore, thus says the Lord:
If you turn back, I will take you back,
   and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
   you shall serve as my mouth.
It is they who will turn to you,
   not you who will turn to them.
And I will make you to this people
   a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
   but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
   to save you and deliver you,
says the Lord.
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
   and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless. –Jeremiah 15:19-21

What a wonderful scripture to consider during an election year. I hear a lot of worthless words in political ads that are targeted at hooking emotional responses. If we distill the information provided in these ads, we could assume that the only things our elected officials do relate to hot-button issues and the economy. Of course, they never say what they mean by “the economy.” Does that mean a booming stock market or a living wage for all or both or neither?

What are the precious words that God wants to hear that are representative of God? Not just things we speak related to politics but how we speak on God’s behalf in all aspects of life. In answer to the question ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ [Jesus] said.., ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

When [the word love is] used of love to a master, God or Christ, the word involves the idea of affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, grateful recognition of benefits received**. In general, loving our neighbors, for example, love means embracing God’s will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power**.

To choose God’s choice, we must maintain a deep and abiding relationship with God. We must be incredibly careful about projecting our choices as God’s.

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts, souls, and minds to understanding your choices for ourselves and our world. Amen.

*Taken from Matthew 22:36-40
**https://biblehub.com/greek/25.htm

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.