Believing

Believing . . . it might not be what you think!  Or at least, if it is limited only to what you think, then it is not really believing!

One of the most significant questions to ask when reading and reflecting on scripture is, "If I were to really believe what this passage is saying, how would my life be different this week?"  One of the reasons it is such a good question to ask, is that it assumes that believing is not just the description of mental activity, but rather a description of a way of life.  They go together and are inseparable. When we really believe something, it changes how we live.

As simple as it sounds, it is in grasping this reality that many of the log jams, both in our understanding of the scriptures and our understanding of our own life with God, are broken.

During this season we are invited, not only to behold the Christ child, but also to believe in Him.  To not only reflect on what life might be life for us if we were to really believe all that He came to say, do and be . . . but also to let what we know change who we are and how we live.  Just what that means for us is what Pastor Jon explores in the sermon this week.  If you would like to listen to his comments, you can do so by accessing our sermon library (click here).

Questions to thing more about as I reflect on the sermon and these passages of scripture . . .

Ephesians 2:1-9 (TNIV)

 

   1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Prayer of St. Patrick

I bind this day to me for ever.

By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river;

His death on Cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spicèd tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom;*

I bind unto myself today.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of Whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

John 8:31-32 [NIV]

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

32 Then you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free.”

As you ponder the passages of scripture above, what do you notice about the way that "faith" and "holding to my teaching" are connected with living differently and freely?