Daily Devotion for Lent 2021 - Day 40

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 13

We conclude our time with Corinth today as Paul looks toward another visit.  The fact that we have these letters at all gives us an indication that perhaps this visit went well.  

For the church, we must continue
to ask ourselves, how do 
we make room for one more?

What is interesting is that Paul uses his opponents dependence on the Law to his advantage.  His quotation about charges being sustained by two or three witnesses in the first verse refers to Deuteronomy 19:15.  This is a reminder that many times those who stress that you are breaking this or that point in scripture are often not adhering to other parts of the Bible.

Paul, like any parent, hopes that his spiritual children will discipline themselves according to the faith that he has set out for them.  Paul's letter may be like the phone call from the parents letting the teenagers know that they are on the way home: "We expect the house to be in order when we get home and the chores we laid out to be finished."

Paul's advice is timeless: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith."

In case we miss what this should be, he sums it up in verse 11: "Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

In this day and age of going to our separate corners (so that we can come out fighting), Paul is reminding us that being in Christ is primary above our differences.  Christians like United Methodists who are ecumenical believe that ultimately, a great variety of denominations shall dwell together in Christ in the life eternal.  All of the differences - whether they be political or doctrinal - seem insignificant on the death bed.  Many times at this point, we see old grievances fall away and we want to die in peace.  The God of love and peace is truly in these moments with us.

I think what Paul is trying to accomplish is for us to live in peace.

That seems to be a worthy goal for us as we wrap up the Lenten season and await the Resurrection.  

How will we show Christ to be alive in us?

Prayer for the Day:

Loving God, we have journeyed with Paul during this Lenten season.  We have seen how he was a man of faith and a man of conviction.  But we also see how he was driven by love.  Help us to love you more fully - where trust comes more easily.  Allow this to drive our love for all your children in ways that let your peace reign.  We pray these things in the name of Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Photo by Mike Cardus via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2021 - Day 11

Scripture Reading: Galatians 6 (NRSV)

As Paul wraps up his letter today, he reminds us of our accountability to one another.  Those who transgress are not kicked to the curb but rather restored to the community "in a spirit of gentleness."  We see where this particular Fruit of the Spirit comes into play.

But even as we restore those who have fallen short, we must take care not to be tempted ourselves.  This is where faithfulness and self-control from the Fruit of the Spirit enter into the equation.  

As we help one another along the journey of life, I agree with Paul that we do reap what we sow.  

Later Christians saw the dual language that Paul often uses of flesh and spirit and some took it to an extreme.  The gnostic belief that the the spiritual realm was good while the material realm was evil crept into Christianity as it did with other belief systems of the day.  You can see how gnostics found fodder in Paul's theology as he talks about reaping corruption from the flesh and eternal life from the Spirit.  Gnosticism was later declared heretical in early church councils.  The Apostles' Creed states, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator (maker) of heaven and earth (emphasis mine)."  Notice this statement of faith includes God's handiwork as both heaven (spirit) and earth (material) which is not gnostic teaching.

Jewish theology prior to this time kept flesh and spirit much more in concordance.  The beginning of life had God forming people from the dust of the ground and breathing life into the human being.  Of course, breath and spirit are the same words in Hebrew.  

A homeless man who knows hunger
feeds the birds and lifts his spirit.

We see Paul making the sharper distinction of flesh and spirit as part of his argument against circumcision as a pointer toward salvation.  Instead, Paul sees Christ as that pointer which naturally leads one to a greater emphasis on the spiritual.

Today, we find that our health may be impacted by spiritual malaise.  At the same time, when we help bear the burdens of others as Paul indicates, this may help our spirits as we tend to the physical needs of others such as hunger and health. 

As Paul indicates to conclude his letter, it is the grace we receive in Christ that help us to achieve the peace we need to stay confident in the faith.

How do you recognize peace in your life?  Peace of mind, spirit and body as they are in harmony, help to influence one another.  Is there an area where you need this peace?

Prayer for the day:

Loving God, we may find our irritation against others defeating our peace. We recognize that this comes when we are stressed by fears or anxieties.  Give us your peace.  Let us rest in your grace.  May we understand the greater melding of flesh and spirit that allows us to restore who we are in Christ.  It is in Christ's name we pray.  Amen.

Photo by cyril4494 via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.