A Life Undivided

So, how divided or scattered are you feeling today? Do you feel as though you are living a divided life? Are you living one? Sometimes this idea is talked about using the term "purity."

One person has said, "Purity of heart is to will one thing." (Kierkegaard) Willing one thing. Sounds easy and uncomplicated enough . . . at least until you get out bed in the morning . . . at which time we quickly discover just how challenging that is. We live in a divided world, with competing claims and values in which integration is very hard to maintain as we are pulled and pushed by opposing forces in different directions.

In Orberg's book, and in the sermon today, we are reminded that one of the ways we move back in the direction of an undivided life is through reflecting on scripture in a way that not only informs us, but transforms us. Allowing God to meet us in scripture, with our hearts open and a willingness to allow God to speak to personally. Taking the time to listen in a manner that is unrushed, unhurried and undistracted allows us to experience the transformation of our lives that God invites us to enter into. Here is how Ellen White describes the importance of this:

Those who will put on the whole armor of God and devote some time every day to meditation and prayer and to the study of the Scriptures will be connected with heaven and will have a saving, transforming influence upon those around them. Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty to God, will be theirs. They will be yearning for purity, for light, for love, for all the graces of heavenly birth. Their earnest prayers will enter into that within the veil. This class will have a sanctified boldness to come into the presence of the Infinite One. They will feel that heaven’s light and glories are for them, and they will become refined, elevated, ennobled by this intimate acquaintance with God. Such is the privilege of true Christians 5T,112

This is what Pastor Jon explores with us this week - reflecting on scripture as one of the key ways that God nurtures the undivided life within us. If you would like to think more about this, listen to the sermon again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here. Or, you can access the live stream version here.

Matthew 6

NIV

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Deuteronomy 6

NIV

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Romans 7

The Message

14-16 I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.

17-20 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.