September 28, 2015

“O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.”
Psalm 15

“As much as we may think we are sure of our “salvation,” there are certain times in our lives when we are really pressed that we still sense those lingering questions. What if I don’t have a community to join with in worship? What if I do not feel like I am worthy? What if I don’t know all the rules? Will God still accept me even if I mess up?
We all feel the pressures of being a “good Christian,” or a “faithful believer.” Often we are tempted to think that it mostly has to do with doing certain things—following the ten commandments, loving one another and the like. But what if at its heart there is really something much more basic? What if there is something more? What if we were to believe that God out of love has already decided to give us the kingdom? And then we were to live as if this moment were already the in-breaking of the kingdom of God? This place and our hearts indeed God’s holy temple? Maybe we are called to act as if we are already there. What if we are already “in”?” (God Pause Devotions — Tuesday, August 25, 2015)

“What if we were to believe that God out of love has already decided to give us the kingdom? And then we were to live as if this moment were already the in-breaking of the kingdom of God?” These are words worth contemplating today. We often get caught up in the “Am I Good Enough?” thoughts — the “Have I done enough?” questions. What if instead we could start each day with “Thank you G*d for choosing me as your beloved child”? Would that change your attitude toward living the Christ-like life? Dare I say “I am already in”?

I would say “Yes, we can dare…” — we can live the “Kingdom Life” now because Christ has won the battle, has defeated death, has said to you and to me “Welcome, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the master.” It is a daring faith that then requires us to live out this “reality of our faith”. Eternal life is quite literally translated “Life Age-Long” — meaning it begins in this “Age” and continues into the “Age to come”. Maybe my friends we are called to live as if we are already there. And if we do, how would that change how you live today?

Pastor Dave