pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: striving


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Striving as Light and Love

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-3

Verse 3: “Your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope.”

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians begins much as his letters to the Colossians or Ephesians or to Timothy or Philemon. He greets them and then offers words of thanksgiving for their faith and for the ways that they are living out their faith. This usually connects them back to when they were physically present to one another. This reminds them of their relationship with Paul and of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

After thanking God “for all of you” and letting them know that they are in his prayers, Paul mentions three things that he thankfully remembers as he prays for the Thessalonian church. Paul first mentions “your work produced by faith.” This is the tangible outreach to their brothers and sisters in Christ and to the world beyond the church. This is the humble service offered to the other, modeled first by Jesus. Next Paul mentions “your labor prompted by love.” If the work produced by faith was the “what,” then this is the “why.” Love is the driving force of our Christian life and of our community of faith. God’s love drove Jesus, just as it drives and prompts us to labor for God as our joyful response to God’s great love.

Paul closes this verse by mentioning “your endurance inspired by hope.” This is the “how.” In a world that assails and persecutes the church and their faith, it is their hope in Christ that allows them to faithfully press on. They know the end of the story so they can work and labor for and with Christ, assured of their salvation. May it be so for us as well as we too strive to live as light and love in a dark and hurting world.

Prayer: Lord God, through the power of faith, love, and hope, use me today to make your love known. Through your power, help others to know the light and love that you bring into my life. Amen.


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As I Have…

Reading: John 13:1-17 and 31-35

Verse 34: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Today is Maundy or command Thursday. That’s what the Latin word mandatum translates to: command. Today’s “new command” is really an extension or an elevation of a very old command. Deuteronomy 19:18 comes at the end of a long list about how to treat and not treat our neighbors. It summarizes this teaching with these words: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” While practical and logical, these words did need amended. We don’t always love ourselves very well.

Jesus is an excellent teacher. He first demonstrates what he is going to talk about. He first takes off his outer clothing. This would’ve certainly focused the disciples’ attention as they wondered what in the world is going on. With their full attention Jesus begins to wash their feet. One by one, kneeling at their feet, Jesus begins to make his way through the 12. Part way through he deals with Peter’s objections and Jesus hints at a betrayal. He finishes up the task and asks, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” Yes, the Lord and teacher has knelt and served. Jesus wraps up the teaching moment with these words: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Jumping to verse 34 we read the new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus has demonstrated humble service. “As I have loved you” is the key part of this command to love. Jesus’ love is perfect and unconditional. It is pure and selfless. It is a love that never falters, never wavers. It is a love totally worth striving for. Giving our all for. “By this all men [and women] will know that you are my disciples.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when my limited, selfish love begins to falter, fill me with your unlimited, pure love. When I want to make my love conditional, attaching strings to it, remind me of the gift so freely and abundantly given to me. Over and over, again and again, whisper these words: “As I have loved you.” Thank you, Jesus. Amen.