To Follow Jesus
My notes on Every Day with Jesus, written by Selwyn Hughes; revised and updated by Mick Brooks, published by CWR.
January/February 2015 Issue – ‘Prepared’
The text set for today’s reading and meditation:
Romans 12:1-8 (NIVUK): “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
It’s another excellent reading for reading and meditation. In addition to the key verse, selected by Selwyn, I found an other two verses, which I highlighted above, to present us with an important truth; our faith and our (spiritual) gifts) are given to us by God. We show our appreciation of these great gifts by using them to the fullest possible extent.
Selwyn starts today’s study as follows: “The final area of life we look at that cries out for a radical change is that of marriage and the Christian home. There are of course abusive situations that necessitate action: however far too many Christians follow the world’s example and head for the divorce court as soon as their marriage hits trouble.”
He goes on to say: “And what about our homes? It is a fact that children in the home catch the attitudes of their parents, rather than their words. … We can never hold the world together unless we can hold the home together. The home is being assailed from many directions. Only radical living can save it.”
One of the ‘hot’ topics in the media is homosexual marriage and adoption of children by homosexual couples; and, naturally, there is a lot of discussion about this subject in many Christian communities. However, I think, the damage was done years ago, when the media, especially movies and TV shows, constantly portrayed relationships between people that were adulterous.
When did the debate on the display of adulterous relationships in TV shows, such as ‘Two and a Half Men’, occur? The Christian message on marriage, went silent decades ago; so, is it any wonder that we are now looking at the ‘normalisation’ of homosexual marriage? The stage has been reached where many young people and some liberal ‘Christian’ groups, and now acting as if homosexual marriage has God’s endorsement. (A view not supported by Scripture.)
[As an aside, Israel, at the time of Jesus, was violently anti-homosexual – not only was this activity against Jewish law – it was also a reaction to years of Greek culture being thrust upon them; and, after the Maccabean Revolt (160BC) there was a determined effort to remove everything ‘Greek’ from their Jewish culture.
Jesus never said a word about their harsh treatment of homosexuals, however, He did say that we should love each other in the same way that He loves us. And that’s the example we should follow.]
As Selwyn mentions, the home and family relationships are being assailed from many directions; it’s a time that requires persistent prayer and the hope that Jesus will return soon.
What are your views on this topic?