Lent

March 10, 2022

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. –Philippians 3:17-4:1

Would we as Christians feel comfortable in saying to those who are not Christians: join in imitating me? I fear I would, to be honest, sometimes need to say do as I say not as I do. Do we not judge the validity of others by their actions rather than their words? I have already grown weary of the awful political ads that envelop my evening news while the same reporting I am hearing is telling me the ads are misleading or wrong. Paul may well have been a bit egotistical, but my guess is he did practice what he preached. It is hard at times to see through our human filters the Christ in each person we meet. We can only see that deep by putting on the whole armor of God that, indeed, will protect us from the evil that plants those false filters in our being.

Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. –Ephesians 6:11-13

 Prayer: Lord, help us to grow in faith so that we might, too, be a model of your love. 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.