"Clean your finger before you point at my spot."
-Benjamin Franklin
"Pure
religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself UNSPOTTED
in the world." (James 1:27) Often we focus in this verse on caring for the most disenfranchised around us, which is
good. Today, I'm going to explore the 'C' clause: developing a faultless piety that includes the practice of remaining unpolluted by this world's system. A SPOT is a small mark or stain; figuratively, a moral blemish or stain.
Romans 12:1-2 admonishes us not to be conformed to this world's system
(copying it's behavior, customs and patterns). We are to be transformed
by renewing of our minds with the Word of God in order to demonstrate
the will of God (what is good, acceptable and perfect). We do this by presenting our bodies on the altar as living sacrifices unto God, which is our spiritual act of worship - the least we can do for all Christ has done for us. Our lives are not ours.
The first images that came to my mind were age spots. As babies, our skin is smooth
and pliable. Over the years, wear and tear,
and overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays causes skin to produce
excessive melanin, which results in spots. Aging also causes the loss of
elasticity, which brings about wrinkles. There is a striking difference
between these two hands. The change is not immediate. It happens gradually over time, through day in and day out contact with the elements. The more subtle exposure by just being out in it, the more likely it will show. Some choose not to go out into the elements, others cover themselves to prevent being spotted.
We are the Body of Christ, which makes this a great metaphor. Throughout the epistles we are advised to ready ourselves for the return of the LORD Jesus Christ, anticipating a new heaven and earth."So then, dear friends, since you are
looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (2 Peter 3:14) Christ will present Himself a Bride and return for a Church, "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing." (Ephesians 5:27) There's a war going on! It's a war for your life and your soul (your mind, will, emotions, choices).
The thief wants to kill you, steal from you, and destroy you. (John
10:10) He will use any tactic - even slow subliminal erosion by exposure
to what you see, hear and experience to take you out. He is to be
resisted, not indulged. (James 4:7) Paul instructs Timothy to
"Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which
you were called...keep this command without spot or blame until the
appearing of our LORD Jesus Christ." (1 Timothy 6:12-14)
This world and its stuff is so tempting and distracting, let's not allow
it to suck us in and take us over.
The first images that came to my mind were age spots. As babies, our skin is smooth
 |
 |
We are the Body of Christ, which makes this a great metaphor. Throughout the epistles we are advised to ready ourselves for the return of the LORD Jesus Christ, anticipating a new heaven and earth."So then, dear friends, since you are
 | |
Thank you in advance for your generosity! #mynewlifecincy |
 | |
SUNDAY 9:30AM Class
11:00 AM Service
11:00 AM Service
225 Wyoming Ave.
Cincinnati OH 45215
No comments:
Post a Comment