Tuesday, July 12, 2022

 

Tuesday, July 12, 2022


Psalm 33

Amos 1.11-2:5

Galatians 5.16-26


If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.


Our friend Amos, the redneck truth-teller, is calling out the wealthy elite for another crime today: the crime of anger. The nation of Edom has attacked a neighbouring country with a perpetual anger and eternal wrath. Ammon, in their own jingoistic fervour, somehow worked themselves into such a state that they commit the horrific crime recorded in verse 13. Moab was so angry at the king of Edom they weren't happy with just killing him, but had to burn his bones down to lime. In this context, God's judgements are indeed just: exile and destruction for those who would do the same to their fellow humans.


Paul is in hearty agreement: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In building a human kingdom by human means, which is what was happening in front of Amos' eyes, these people were walking down the path to their own destruction. By contrast, Paul says, we who live by the Spirit should keep both eyes open for the fruits of that Spirit. Note well these fruits: they are attitudes, frames of mind, that do not rely on external circumstances, but rather can be expressed in any situation of life, difficult or easy. When we get angry, the “flesh” would just lead us into more anger. Let us instead listen to the Spirit dwelling within us, who would much rather use such situations as an opportunity to bear fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Monday, September 12, 2022

  Monday, September 12, 2022 Psalm 33 Habakkuk 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:1-14 In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. The lectionary has taken us from the beloved disciple to one of the most beloved of Paul's epistles: Ephesians. Paul must have loved this church very much: we get a sense of his fondness for them and their shared sense of purpose and worship just from the introduction. In what is likely just an introduction to a letter in the style of the ancient Roman world, Paul has managed to squeeze in the entire, wondrous story of God's work of redemption. Paul has framed it the way it ought to be framed: in a pastoral, encouraging tone. He has three main points here (remember, Paul proceeds logically to build up an argument, unlike John who circles around his main point). First: God intended to save us before the world was formed. Think back to the first l
Read more

“Short time or long – I pray to God not only you but all who are listening become like I am, except for these chains.”

  Monday, September 11, 2023 Psalms 28; 29 1 Kings 7:51-8:21 Acts 26:19-32 Observance: Deiniol, bishop (d. 384) “ Short time or long – I pray to God not only you but all who are listening become like I am, except for these chains.” The great many blessings of being under the protection of the blood of the Lamb fill our hearts with joy and peace. To have the Almighty Creator of the universe, the One who sits above the flood, filling the temple of our being with the cloud of His presence is what it truly means to be human. Every day is filled with adventure; every night turns to the rest of the victor. Certainly there are chains: sometimes they are physical chains, the suffering of being a Christian among people who do not love the Lord. Sometimes they are spiritual; the attacks of the powers of the air who try to distract us from the One we love. But they always fall away. Our Rock of Ages always frees us; always brings us out of the pit of despair. A won
Read more

Monday, September 19

  Monday, September 19 Psalm 45 Nahum 1:15-2:9 Ephesians 4:17-28 ...be renewed in the spirit of your minds... It is far too easy to read some of these Pauline lists of virtues and vices and feel like we have gone back to the dark days before the Reformation. The idea that if we behave ourselves then we can call ourselves “good people” is pagan, not Christian. Paul feels very strongly about how Christians behave, he “affirms and insists” upon it. But it is because of what has already happened that we should mind our step, not because of where we are going. Christ's resurrection is many things, but one aspect relevant for Paul's teaching this morning is that it demonstrates to us the radical new reality in which we now live. We too have passed (spiritually) from death to life; therefore, we experience a “renewal of our minds”. Instead of treading water until we die, we live lives. Everything now makes sense: God has spoken, so we have logic. God made us in His im
Read more