May the mumbling commence!
We have all known people who claim to know God, but they deny God by their actions. I only hope and pray that people do not see me that way. What can you or I do to make sure other people do not rightly believe that we deny our God by our actions. Read a passage from Paul’s letter to Titus:
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (3: 3-8)
Again, we come upon one of Paul’s trustworthy sayings. These sayings are more than worthy to meditate on! God visited a great kindness upon us when Jesus our Savior appeared in human form on earth. This great kindness was not given us according to our righteousness. No, but God visited this kindness on us because of his mercy. For those who believe in Christ Jesus we are justified by grace. And that grace welcomes us as heirs of eternal life.
What great things to meditate on this Advent season!
But Christian life, at its best, is much more that meditation. Christian life is an active waiting and response to such mercy and grace. Meditation fuels this response. Be careful to devote ourselves to doing what is good – whatever is excellent and profitable for everyone.
So let’s spend some time this waiting season of Advent meditating on some of these trustworthy sayings of Paul. Peter says about these truths, “Even angels long to look into these things (1 Peter 1:12b).” Read below Peter’s idea of a worthy response to such mercy and grace:
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1:13-23)
Do not conform to the evil desires of the world. Instead, be holy in all you do. God is holy, so is Christ. Holiness is our goal – one that we can never fully achieve, that is why the Christian life in a never-ending journey. We journey, so we live as though as one passing through – like a stranger.
And, sadly, what is most strange of all in this world of ours..? Sincere love is strange – a love that is felt deeply from the heart. Yes, love that is given without strings attached is quite rare. Apart from God, I think true love cannot exist. So, love your loved ones this season – especially if they can sometimes be difficult to love!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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