Living in the Spirit
May 27, 2018
Scripture Reading: John 3:1-17
‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. –John 3:11-17
And this, in a nutshell, is the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. So why are we not working as hard as possible to follow Jesus’ example? Why do we seem to work as hard as possible to circumvent the way of the Christ and follow the route of least resistance? Why are we such easy marks for the con of evil?
Our faith impacts all aspects of our lives. It would be much easier to carve out a percent of our beings and say this is God’s. Jesus, however, taught that all aspects of our lives are to be dedicated to God.
‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. (Matthew 23:23)
I do not think Jesus is telling us not to tithe or otherwise provide financial support for ministries. What he is saying is that is just a beginning. How we live our lives, treat one another, care for one another is the hallmark of a life in Christ. To accomplish that we must accept that all people are God’s children and their well-being is as much our responsibility as taking care of our own well-being.
What would a just world look like?
Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, help us see clearly what your justice looks like and make us workers in your vineyards growing justice throughout our lands. Amen.