Living in the Spirit
September 8, 2016

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. –1 Timothy 2:1-4

I assume all follower of Christ think they travel the true course of God as closely as possible. We would not be living the way we do would we, if that were not the case. The challenge comes in meeting Jesus’ specific desire for us to be one. What I deem to be just and of God differs markedly from what other Christians hold as just. Such a situation apparently existed in the time of the writings that became our Bible. Embarking on a study of Paul’s writings, I learn that some of the letters attributed to him probably were not written by him. The books of Timothy are cast in a category described as reactionary to the authentic letters of Paul. This conundrum indicates that our ancestors in faith had to struggle with becoming one as we do today.

I appreciate whoever authored 1 Timothy for opening with a call for prayers for all in positions of power. I wonder how much pray and supplications have been lifted to God in our current political process asking for discernment rather than explaining the correct results God needs to produce. I have said it before but it bears repeating here, I believe our governance, tied in gridlock, very accurately reflects the USA society today. We have walked away from our responsibilities by not engaging in solving the common problems we face. We only see what seems right for our group or us without regard for what is right for all. Until dialogues of discernment not only open in the halls of Congress or state legislatures, but also in coffee shops, PTA meetings, and, yes, among peoples of faith, our government will remain stagnant.

Paul dealt with such discussions as he traversed Asia Minor speaking new words of a Kingdom older-than-time, yet to be, of which we are all crafters. Perhaps we need to try some new words for our time and place.

Prayer: God of Mercy and Grace, give us the words we need to speak to fulfill our call to become one. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.