Good Morning Friends,
Religion is based on the Good Book which is a Spiritual Sword that when balanced and well weighted can be welded with skill and attentiveness to our surroundings. But we must be yoked to Jesus to do anything of value. That is why to be effective in evangelism and mission we must be rooted in prayer and adoration that draws its power from an interior impulse which encourages, motivates, nourishes, and gives meaning to our individual and communal lives. We are not only to be part of a story shared but a unique story of who we each are when we get to know Jesus alive in the Spirit. The Sword is a dangerous weapon in the hands of those that would use it for personal gain. It is not to be strained in its use but must be natural so those using it for God’s glory do so in a way that bring meaning to their personal story. When it is imposed or forced or legalistic or someone else’s story it becomes a drain on our emotions and an affliction. God made it clear that it is our love, not sacrifices that are desired by our Creator. Of course, some things have changed over time, but I wonder today, Is Our Application Of Religion Still Too Heavy A Burden?
Scripture: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV)
After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” The whole assembly kept silence and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.’ Therefore, I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”
Acts 15:7-21 (NRSV)
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:9-11 (NRSV)
Message: Jesus is serious about us loving one another to ease the burden of life… It is a command not an option we might choose to obey… I am to love you and you are to love me…the best way we know how. Not long before Jesus was to die on the cross, he shared the words in today’s scripture with his followers. Jesus was getting them ready for his departure, getting them prepared to abide in the Spirit… connected to love as the way to honor the Father. He was preparing them to take the message of the Gospel to the world. We too are to show this manifested love as a witness that we know God… that we know that God is love…. that we can love as He has loved us. We are to know the Jesus of joy so that we can all experience the joy of Jesus. This joy…this love is the distinguishing mark of a child of God. It teaches us that we cannot replace love with spiritual gifts. Faith, preaching, service, nor money can replace love. Nothing replaces obedience to this command. It is essential for the Church as well … the Body of Believers must be connected in this mature love or the spiritual life is gone. It is essential to learn to love…. essential to obey the command of God to love. The worries of life are lifted when we love. Perfect love caste out all fear. Friends when we come to Jesus, we receive not just the promise of rest, but a yoke to make the load lighter…a relationship of stability and growth. When we are too tired, He gives us rest. When we feel unloved, He loves us.
And So, many followers of Jesus Christ went the distance for us. Now God wants us to do the same. We are to get out on the road and report the good news of God’s grace. We are to take a risk for Jesus, because the good news of the cross of Jesus Christ is the greatest news the world will ever hear! No matter the balance you seek to reach between Grace and the Law, Grace still rules and move things according to Him not the law. We are all sinners and so the only way of being justified is through a belief in Jesus’ perfect sacrifice and love. God looks at the heart and operates by Grace. Therefor use the Sword with skill and love. Be yoked to Jesus in the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit.
Pray we are empowered to live by Grace in the Word made flesh. Pray
that Jesus becomes our greatest love, our most useful companion. Pray that our communication with God be open and clear, that we honor His noble suffering and acknowledge the severe truth of our existence. Pray that God take the initiative in our lives showing forth His grace…His love so we might learn to obey…to love. Pray that we would understand that the quarrels and fights we face are first those that come from within our very own desires…the battle within. Pray that His love in us would be victorious. Pray that our love would be a Christ like love. Pray that we live in the way of love… that we give feet and hands to our love. Pray that we be overjoyed in the presence of the Lord showing our love for Him as a way of honoring the love He has given us to share with others. Pray so we have the energy to work in the Lord’s vineyard. Pray for our own spiritual nourishment, but also pray for open minds and hearts among those we love and for those for whom we labor. Pray we thank God for being God even when we cannot sense the results of the Divine at work right away. Pray we have patience as we practice a faith that is not a burden but instead prompts us to praise God in everything. Pray we realize that the Sword is double edged and cuts both ways and were it not for God’s grace we all would be cut to pieces with no peace at all. Pray that our yoke is a place of learning. Pray that our yoke is a place of patience, humility, trust, and love. Pray that our yoke is a place of rejoicing in discipleship. Pray that we give up our way of self, for His yoke and His way. Pray that our yoke is connected to Jesus and the way in the Spirit of God’s purpose for us. Pray the more we learn about Jesus the more we learn to love, and the more we love the more we desire to learn and do the will of God for the glory of God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 