Are You Eager to Do What is Good?
Good Morning Friends,
Today we celebrate a very special holiday. It is not Thanksgiving, but it is a day to give our thanks. It is not Independence Day, though it is a time to rejoice in our freedom. It is not Valentine’s Day, though it is a time to think about love. Today is a day of remembrance for those who served in the military and it follows the church’s remembrance of the martyrs and saints of the body of believers less than two weeks ago. It is a very special holiday and is a moving experience for those who know of others who have served. It is a time to think about love — the love those who have served have showed for their country and for their fellow man. Today is Veterans Day and as such it is a great day to remind ourselves of the sacrifice and suffering of others but equally importantly the unity of purpose to which Christians have been called. Usually our mind set is to figure out what is in our best interest as a priority without thinking of the whole or others for that matter. The message from those who have served our county in the military or those in Christian mission who have chosen another path of risk, is this: if we try to do it alone we will get picked off. So the effectiveness as Christians and soldiers depends on not just doing well for ourselves but extending that to others and that is evident in today’s scripture and in this adventure of life we are sharing. We are to be as brave soldiers organized to service but there is a fundamental difference for we are as Christians more on an adventure than just a risky assignment. So today’s meditation goes beyond thoughts on fighting the good fight and goes beyond the golden rule and the rules of the road trip we are on together. Today’s devotion is about stimulating creatively our desire to act in a way that reflects Christ. Are You Eager to Do What is Good?
Scripture: Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called–that you might inherit a blessing. For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it, for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:8-17 (NRSV)
Jesus said, “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35 (NRSV)
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 (NRSV)
Message: The journey of our faith is like a road trip that goes down memory lane and extends on a Highway of Holiness to a place of hope. And there are rules of the road and there are casualties and accidents along the way. And it makes one wonder if the world would be a better place if Christians needed a license to practice the faith. But then that would not work putting God back in the box. So, today’s message is not about legalities…as much as how to have a life that matters and defends the cause of freedom. It is about living a changed and different life than the world offers. It is about responding to the call of our Lord and Savior to go on a great adventure as well as an assignment. Friends, we have been freed for a purpose and need to thank all those who have made it possible. And here we learn that we are to be relational not reactive, we are to be active in love, directional and part of a greater movement so as not to get trapped in the heavy traffic. But we are also called to take risks to accomplish the task we have been given. We are to stop making excuses to avoid doing the right thing. We are to treat each other with love and have an eagerness to do what is right. And in doing it together we are to find hope together and share in a bond as brothers and sisters. And this is how we are to relate to the Lord. On God’s Highway of Hope we are to realize that nothing under God’s control is out of control. And yes we are being deployed for a purpose and yes there are divine appointments we need to get to, but on the journey to them we need to realize that we still must witness on the way. Friends, we are to eagerly live our faith in such a way that people know that we not only stand for Christian purposes… but that we live our faith in a mission to love others. That is what God has called us to do. We are to be bold adventurers. We are, as Peter points out, to live our faith. We are to be bold in our faith and be prepared to give an answer for our faith. That is the way of Jesus. And it is the good way.
Pray with praise for Christians that live out their Christian life for others to see. Pray in remembrance of all those who have fought the good fight and won. Pray that our actions today would be obedient to God’s rules of the road. Pray that our actions would reveal our Christian faith and love. Pray we would risk enough to love others as we have been loved. Pray we share hope on the journey. Pray we live by convictions and priorities and not just convenience, selfish pleasure and financial gain. Pray we are willing to go against the grain of society and follow the road less travelled…the road of righteousness and truth…. Pray we read the instruction manual. Pray we follow the leader. Pray we are prepared to demonstrate the hope in us with gentleness and respect. Pray we know the rules of the road and practice them. Pray we ultimately are known as a people who live in harmony and are sympathetic and compassionate and humble and do not repay evil for evil, but with a blessing. Pray we love as a band of brothers and sisters turning from evil to do good things with an eagerness that pleases God. Pray we seek peace and pursue it.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 