Sunday, 10 May: 2 Ki.17:24-41; Pro.12:8; Jn.13:31-38
The question today--"What is the distinctive characteristic of Christianity according to Jn 13:35"--is a good one that I will leave for another day. I was struck by a phrase in Kings and want to discuss it with you.
"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods..." (17:33) These people knew enough to fear and revere the God of heaven, but wanted to keep the gods with whom they were familiar and comfortable. What a sad state of affairs we find ourselves in when we try to 'mix and match' spiritual things. One might argue, "But I don't worship other gods!" C'est vrai? Are all 'other gods' made of wood or stone? Is 'worship' always the bowing of the knee?
What comes between me and my Savior? What comfort do I seek outside His Spirit and His grace? What diversions consume my personal time? Do emotions--fear, anger, bitterness--occupy my subconscious thoughts? Could it not be said that anything to which I am more devoted than I am to Him, is a god in my life? If I give higher authority to anyone or anything else, is that not a kind of worship?
The first of the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." How often, when I allow entertainment or preoccupations to displace the Lord, does His Spirit's still small voice reprove me! Let us cry out with the Psalmist, "Let I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy servant." (119:76)
The question today--"What is the distinctive characteristic of Christianity according to Jn 13:35"--is a good one that I will leave for another day. I was struck by a phrase in Kings and want to discuss it with you.
"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods..." (17:33) These people knew enough to fear and revere the God of heaven, but wanted to keep the gods with whom they were familiar and comfortable. What a sad state of affairs we find ourselves in when we try to 'mix and match' spiritual things. One might argue, "But I don't worship other gods!" C'est vrai? Are all 'other gods' made of wood or stone? Is 'worship' always the bowing of the knee?
What comes between me and my Savior? What comfort do I seek outside His Spirit and His grace? What diversions consume my personal time? Do emotions--fear, anger, bitterness--occupy my subconscious thoughts? Could it not be said that anything to which I am more devoted than I am to Him, is a god in my life? If I give higher authority to anyone or anything else, is that not a kind of worship?
The first of the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." How often, when I allow entertainment or preoccupations to displace the Lord, does His Spirit's still small voice reprove me! Let us cry out with the Psalmist, "Let I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy servant." (119:76)
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