Living in the Spirit

June 17, 2021

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.

Where does God fit into our life plan? Does God get two hours on Sunday morning? Perhaps we take some time each day to share our needs. How often do we recognize God in our interactions with others? Do we, indeed, acknowledge that our relationship with God involves our following God’s ways as we strive to build a better world? Are we conscience that we are considered a model of Christ in everything we do? No wonder the percentage of people who identify as Christian is shrinking when we act holier-than-though and even hatred.

A morning itinerary of how we intend to live our lives in the Spirit each day with an evening review of our accomplishments is a good place to start being intentional about our work in God’s Kingdom. I imagine most of us do something like that regarding routine tasks–laundry today, complete the Jones contract, doctor’s appointment. So, what would our faith itinerary look like?

 Would it include:

• Bible study
• Seeking God’s will for our day
• Prayer for specific people or events
• Sending cards to those who are sick or in grief
• Volunteering at the food bank
• Befriending a new person at work
• Looking for the Christ in everyone we encounter
• Emailing our government representative encouraging him or her to support a bill that addresses the needs of the poor. . . .

Prayer: God of Possibilities, help us open wide our hearts and let the world know your love through us. Amen.

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.