Sunday 2 February 2014

TFTD - 02 February 2014 - Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

02 February 2014

Exodus 7; 8
Psalms 60; 61
Romans 12

"LET LOVE BE GENUINE"

"Be transformed by the renewal of your mind," writes the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2. God asks us to be transformed so that he can use us in his service. When the people who had been slaves in Egypt, which we are presently reading in Exodus, came out from there under the leadership of Moses, God gave them a law when they were in the wilderness of Sinai, but they failed to keep it most of the time. God wanted them to be a light to the nations around, an example of what it is to be a God fearing nation and the blessings that would bring ­ as in the reign of Solomon.

Now, in the First Century, inspired by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, believers were to live transformed lives ­ and so be lights to the world as Jesus had been to them (John 8:15; Matthew 5:14)

This happened, a great many people turned from worshipping idols to believing in and serving the one true God and his son.

An essential feature of this transformation, writes Paul, is to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed" and become "a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" [Romans 12:1,2] Worship can be just a ritual in so many religions ­ and it became so in much of Christianity in the Centuries which followed.

Now, we must take careful note of this chapter in Romans because it shows what the real kind of worship is all about, the worship which God approves. We show our love and service to God by how we serve each other. "Every one among you," writes Paul, should "not think of himself more highly than he ought to think" [Romans 12:3] There is no room for pride, Jesus tried to get his disciples to realize this, "let love be genuine" Paul continues. "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit … never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God … do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." [Romans 12:9-11; 12:19,21]
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- DC


Thought for the Day

02 February 2014

"He is our life. When he shall appear we shall be like him, with bodies of humiliation changed into bodies of glory. Peter tells us that this partaking of divine nature is God’s promise to us, but while we rejoice in this knowledge let us not forget the example of Abraham: “And so, after he had patiently endured he obtained (fulfilment of) the promise” (Hebrews 6:15)."

- S.L. Hale
Patience (1950)

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