Living in the Spirit

August 19, 2022

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29

See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.’ This phrase ‘Yet once more’ indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire. –Hebrews 12:25-29

Truth exists. I have read descriptions of modernity as the state of being current, or up with the times. This may contribute to the downplaying of history current in our world. Now is all that matters, as tomorrow everything may change. The implication is that cultural changes are driving us. Today’s cell phone is out-of-date tomorrow. Truth in modernity thus is as malleable as we want it.

The reshaping of truth, however, is not modern. It is at least 2,000 years old. In the story of Jesus’ trial interview with Pilate, Jesus is quoted as saying, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ To which Pilate responds by asking, ‘What is truth?’  (John 17:36-38)

We are being shaken to our core today with the chaos of a divide and conquer war being waged to separate us from one another. Yet we are called to be one by Jesus to love and care for one another and not to be ruled by the principalities and powers of a greed-driven world.

let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1b-2

Prayer: Lord, Grant us the courage to serve you more nearly. 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.