Readings: Psalm 119:105-106 and Romans 8:1-5

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp… a light for my journey.”

Romans 8:4b – “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.”

In this week’s Disciplines devotional, Reverend Bruce Reyes-Chow connects a verse or two from Psalm 119 with another lectionary passage each day. As I like the connection, I will follow his example this week. In Psalm 119, we read this today in verse 5: “Your word is a lamp… a light for my journey.” In church yesterday, we sang the hymn “Thy Word.” Today’s verses and this familiar song identify God’s word as our guide in this life. Within the scriptures we find the Word. In the gospels we see Jesus’ light and love as the example of how to live faithfully in this sinful world.

In Romans 8 this week, Paul contrasts living in the Spirit with living in the flesh. As is the case with much of Paul’s writing, this contrast is presented as a clear choice: Spirit or flesh? Good or evil? Life or death? But as we learned last week in Romans 7, this is a “war” that is constantly ongoing. One simply doesn’t choose to live by the Spirit and that’s that. As Paul wrote in Romans 7:25, “evil is right there with me.” The fleshy part of us never fully dies.

Based on Jesus’ example and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul offers this declaration: “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.” While our Spirit-flesh decision is not a “one-and-done” decision, the side we choose and intend to stand on matters. Choosing the Spirit, we are guided towards a life of love and light, of humble service, and of generous compassion. This life is the opposite of the selfish, inwardly focused way of the world. May we, as Paul encourages, choose to live a life “based on the Spirit.” In this life we find love, peace, hope, joy, contentment, and meaning. May this be the life we choose today, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that day…

Prayer: Lord God, while the war truly rages on day after day, where we take our stand matters. Each day, Lord, empower us to choose you and a life lived in the Spirit. Strengthened and encouraged, light our path and show us the way of love. Amen.