Daily Lectionary:
Morning: Psalm 147:1-11
Amos 5:6-15
Hebrews 12:1-14
Luke 18:9-14
Evening: Psalm 51:1-19
Today is Ash Wednesday and as I consider my Lenten journey - what needs to stay and what needs to go - I confess I resist putting myself under authority like the next guy. But today's readings make it clear, that in order to be holy, in order to serve a just God, for the church to live in peace, unity and purity under the authority of the word, and the Lordship of Christ, there is no other way. Amos makes that warning clear: "Seek the Lord and live, or else..."
We don't like ultimatums like this. Seek the Lord, Yes. Live, you bet. Do good and not evil, of course. Show mercy and walk humbly. But seek the Lord, OR ELSE all hell will break lose? Seek the Lord or you will die? Obey the whole grainy and uncomfortable truth of God's word, or perish? Seek the Lord on polity and church order, or be spit out of God's mouth?
Do we really believe that God will deal with the church if we take lightly his authority on ALL matters?
Discipline. How the church is soft on it today. One of the 3 marks of the church and we get amnesia when one among us has erred from God's word on matters of conduct and authority. When one among us puts their own desires and "needs" above the body of Christ. We dismiss sin, as GOD HAS DEFINED IT, with winks and nods in the church; if we offer discipline, it's more often only a love pat on the wrist with no consequences. We let our heart rule over our head in matters of interpretation of God's word for purity and character, when truth and grace go hand in hand.
...[God] disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.14Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews affirms that discipline is an act of love. Discipline's purpose is to yield holiness. I want to be holy, and so I will submit. Lord have mercy on me. Love me till it hurts.
1 comment:
That's a tough message, but as Amos said, "They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth." No one wants to be confronted with their sin, and no one wants to reap the consequences, but God allows the consequences to discipline us. We might lose a job due to slothfulness. We might lose a relationship because of infidelity. We might also lose a position in the church because of sin. We might get into a car accident because of speeding or driving under the influence. We might lose or hurt a friendship because of gossip or hurtful words. All consequences from sin.
Pastors are called by God into a position of authority over the church. They are held to a higher degree of judgment. Therefore, most are diligent to seek God faithfully and preach the uncompromised Word of God as they shepherd the flocks entrusted to them. Scripture admonishes Christians to submit to the leadership of those whom God has anointed as pastors and elders. In Hebrews it says,"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing--for that would be harmful to you.
(13:17)
I am grateful to have a pastor who calls it like she sees it. As much as I would like a wink and a nod sometimes, I know God disciplines me because he loves me, painful as it may be at times. I will continue to grow in holiness because of it. We would do well to remember that grace works through consequences as well.
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