Thursday, December 7, 2017 Psalm 85 Hosea 6:1-6 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
When I was young, I believed being a Christian meant being perfect and traveling to all the world and telling them to also be perfect so we can all live together in heaven. Each week, I’d hear all about how we had to save sinners; then, I’d go home and see the exact same things I thought we were supposed to be “saving” them from. After seeing so much hypocrisy, I was nearly pushed away from the church, my family and a true relationship with God. Not long after starting college, I joined a young adult group that was reading a book about pursuing the likeness of Christ. A few weeks in, I started to realize that my understanding of Christ and Christianity as a whole were fundamentally flawed. Being a Christ follower isn’t about feeling better about my mistakes, keeping me from eternal punishment, or giving me an excuse to condemn those I feel are unworthy from my tower on high. It is a way to live life, possibly even the best way. All of the readings for today have a common theme of righteousness and love, spanning across prophets, kings and millennia. Beginning in Psalms, we see hope and longing for God’s people to live out love and truth in the streets, a call to right and whole living from which beauty and goodness sprout forth. In Hosea, there is a plea to God’s people to pursue a love that lasts and knowledge of Him, not just more systems and religion. In Thessalonians, we have the clearest call to a life of Christlikeness and to be living testimonies of what we believe in. A life that looks like Christ sounds intimidating. It is a tall order to be measured against the only human pure enough to be sacrificed for all of humanity. However, the secret to a full, righteous and bountiful life is love. If you love your neighbor, you will not steal, covet or kill. If you love your family, you will honor them, and if you love your God, you will do your best to do what He says. Foster a spirit of love in your heart for everyone you meet and your life will be a testament to the Lord. Today, I challenge you to begin an intentional habit of loving everyone you encounter with a heart that mirrors Christ.
Ethan Harvey Senior, Graphic Design and Christian Spiritual Formation
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