Devotion - Thursday, February 28

The next section of Romans can be difficult for modern readers.  It is Paul's attempts to show the uselessness of "The Law" with regard to seeking salvation.

In Romans 2:12-24, Paul builds the argument that if you seek to live by the law, then you must be prepared to accept the law's pronouncement.  We are most likely to want to point out those aspects of the law which make us look good, while ignoring those aspects of the law which call our actions into question.

The law says we are forbidden to covet.  In response, we hold our tongue and are never heard to say, "I want for my own those cute boots worn by Cindy."  But when we realize that our flip phone doesn't allow me to SnapChat, we begin the process of convincing our parents it is time for an upgrade.

The law says we are not to kill.  In compliance, we never hold a gun in our hand, point it at an innocent neighbor, and pull the trigger.  But we spend $10 on a late night run to Cookout; the same amount it would cost to buy a mosquito netting to prevent a child in Sudan from contracting malaria. 

If we are going to use the law to say of ourselves, "I follow what God asks of me," then we had better be ready to have another look at our adherence and give a second opinion.

Paul tells us that the law can never justify us.  He helps us to see that we must depend on something other than our own efforts.  Becoming "a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, and a teacher of children" starts with realizing that it is God's goodness and grace which allow us to live the life God would desire for us.

This section of Romans will continue to serve as our readings over the weekend.  I encourage you to complete chapter 2 and read chapter 3.  Meditate on what they are saying.  We will resume on Monday, with Chapter 4.

Devotion - Wednesday, February 27

One of the drawbacks to a devotional reading of the Bible is selecting which verses to read each day.  This becomes a real problem when the stopping point is in the middle of was most likely a continuous line of thought in the mind of the writer. 

Romans 1:25 should not be separated from Romans 1:26 ff (our text for today.)  Here, Paul addresses what happens when we exchange the truth about God for a lie.  He wants to challenge us to realize how disastrous our lives become when we begin to serve "the creature rather than the Creator."

We look back on Biblical times and think, "Those silly folks - praying at trees or stone faces carved in the rock."  We look back and convince ourselves that we would never do what they do.  "When have I ever worshiped 'the creature'?" we tell ourselves.

But the false gods of a generation are seldom easily identified as false gods.  A certain group-devotion develops around them and since "everyone is doing it" we find ourselves doing it too.

Paul has a list in 1:28ff, of the indications that we have given ourselves over to some lie, rather than following the truth.  He speaks of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice.  He would have us ask whether we have allowed envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, gossip, slander, hatred of God, insolence, haughtiness, boastfulness, invention of evil, disobedience to parents, foolishness, faithlessness, heartlessness, and ruthless behavior to be present among us or in our lives.

It is a lie to think that we can do as we please and then expect everyone around us accept us and approve of our behavior. 

We cannot "create" a path for ourselves, pay no attention to God's guidance, and then expect things to fall perfectly into place.

The way of God is the way which leads us into healthy and wholesome relationships - relationships with God, with others, and with ourselves.

It is easy to see the lies others are living.  How devoted are we to identifying the lies which have crept into our life and even into our expressions of piety?

Devotion - Tuesday, February 26

I continue in Paul's letter to the church in Rome.  Today I read Romans 1:16-25.

The phrase which opens this section served as the theme for our GALSM retreat few years back - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel."  On that retreat, we discussed the reluctance we often have to speak to others about our faith, about our devotion, about our life among God's people.  The speaker asked us to consider whether it was embarrassment, or lack of knowledge, or as absence of enthusiasm which lead to our being shy about sharing.

The speaker didn't mean to suggest that any of you are "ashamed" of the gospel, i.e. wanting to avoid letting others know that we considered ourselves part of the Christian community.  But he did challenge us to be more forthright in sharing those aspects of the Gospel which put us at odds with the world around us.

This is the line of talk we are pursuing in our LCM Wednesday night programs.  We are looking at how uncomfortable Jesus made the comfortable.  Last week it was the religious leaders; this week it is the political authorities.  Jesus didn't ask, "Why are you ashamed of me?" but he did ask why we had become so complacent in the world around us - ignoring the directives of scripture.

In biology class, or geology class, when issues of carbon dating are raised, do we shy away from speaking?  Do we miss opportunities to say, "Here is how Genesis 1 reveals the same marvel as what recent science (science of the last two decades) is now teaching us?"  Or do we cower in our seats, dreading the mention of Christianity and the mislaid defense of one line of interpretation?

In our residence hall, when talk turns to "having a good time," or "blowing off steam," do we speak of the folly of seeking self-gratifying behaviors rather than finding our rest in that which is eternal and lasting?

We may not be ashamed of letting others know that we go to Church, or read our Bibles, but is it the fear of being shamed which leads to silence when we have opportunity to speak up?

Are we willing to be identified as "Christian" so long as that identification puts in step with the culture around us, while shying away when the calling of God demands that we speak against the conventional wisdom of our peer group?

Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel."  Neither should we.

Devotion - Monday, Feburary 25

The lectionary I follow has me reading Romans.  If you continue to search for a Lenten discipline, I encourage you to read through this book with me over the next several weeks.

Today I read and reflected on Chapter 1, verses 1-15.

There is a comment in this section which allows us to see the difference between an apostle and a teacher or master.  Unlike the latter, an apostle is also engaged by the relationship with us; an apostle understands himself/herself as one invited into relationship with Christ who now seeks to expand the relationship.

Paul says to the believers gathered in Rome:  "For I long to to see you, that I might impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine."

The passing on of gifts, by an apostle, is a mutual exchange which strengthens both parties.

The encouragement of one believer is an encouragement for all.

Certainly Paul had a deeper understanding of the mind of Christ than the folks in Rome.  His awareness of Christ's hope for us allowed him to acknowledge that we pass on what we have first received not as tidbits of information but as an invitation into relationship. 

We don't tell others about Jesus; we tell other of Jesus. 

In my prayers, reflecting on this verse from Romans 1, I envisioned you sitting at your desk and pulling out your bible.  With a few glances back to the computer screen, you finally locate the passage and read it for yourself.  And I am encouraged.

Be encouraged;  by my words and by the words you share this day with those who journey with you through these 40 days.

Devotion - Thursday, February 21

My devotional guide has brought me to John 3.  Today's reading starts at 3:16, one of the most popular verses in the whole New Testament.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Jesus offers this saying, as a way of stating God's intentions toward us.  The verse is about God's love, God's deep love, and how that love leads to our salvation.

The next verse continues to instruct us on this.  It reads, "For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Say what you will, believe what you might, the coming of Jesus into our world was to make clear God's love for us and God's desire that we might be overcome with His love.

Devotion - Wednesday, February 20

We are now one week into our Lenten journey.  It seems appropriate to encourage you to reflect on how the journey is going.

Have you been able to maintain your Lenten discipline?  Are you finding additional time for your study of scripture, for acts of service?

Caesarius lived in the 5th Century, long before all the modern devices which eat up our time and energy.  Even so, he seemed to understand how easily we get consumed by the things which are supposed to make our lives easier.

"Although through the mercy of God you frequently and devoutly hear the divine lessons throughout the entire year, still during these days we ought to rest from the winds and the sea of this world by taking refuge, as it were, in the haven of Lent and in the quiet of silence to receive the divine lessons in the receptacle of our heart."

Turn off your computer, put down your smart phone, read the words of scripture and sit in silence as the words make their way into your heart.

I cannot begin to express how the first 60 minutes of my day renew me and restore me.  They are spent in a quiet home, with few lights - a cup of coffee; my Bible; the meditations of my heart; and the voice of God reminding me what is essential.

Caesarius continues:  "During these holy days of Lent if you cannot cut off the occupations of this world, at least strive to curtail them in part.... For this world either laughs at us or is laughed at by us."

Devotion - Tuesday, February 19

It is really easy to read stories of Jesus' displeasure with the religious practices of his day and think, "How could they have been so naive?"  Or, "Why would they have thought that was what God wanted them to spend their time doing?"

Today's reading is from John 2.  It is the story of Jesus driving the money changers out of the Temple.  We hear of those there to sell pigeons or convert Roman coins to Jewish currency and we find it easy to understand why Jesus drove them out.

Rather than give us reason to be self-congratulatory, such stories could challenge us to ask how pleased Jesus would be with our use of God's house. 

I do not mean to cast doubt on the sincerity of the prayers offered at 113 Sloan Street.  But the story in John 2 encourages us to ask whether those prayers align themselves with the humble petitions of the tax collector; rather than come off sounding like the words of the self-righteous Pharisee.

The prayers we offer on Sunday morning are part of a whole week of interaction with God.  The prayers we lift before God are to be consistent with the actions we do on Monday, the way we speak of our neighbors on Tuesday, and so forth.  When we gather, in God's house, a proper use of that gathering space is to reflect together on what God has given us and the use we are making of those gifts.

A proper use of God's house surely means using that place to be honest with ourselves, honest about our actions, honest about how eager we are to serve others, honest as to what we consider most important.  We don't come there to be inoculated against an eternity in Hell, so much as we come to be coached on how to live as Jesus lived.

Read John 2:13-22 for yourself.  Consider the use you see being made of God's house.  What, if anything, do you think needs to be driven out?  And in the empty space which results, what would you put in place?