Faith In Christ Is Reflected In Action

"Today's Devotion" For April 14, 2007

Read: I John 2:3-17; Psalm 1

FAITH IN CHRIST IS REFLECTED IN ACTION

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." (I John 2:3)

I suppose it could be said that we live in cynical times. All too often we find ourselves doubting the word of others. Politics is a particularly fruitful place for innuendo, prevarication, and deceit. What you see and hear in the political realm frequently fails to be what you get. Duplicity seems to be the watchword for the day, and it doesn't matter which political party one belongs to because it seems as if each politician is "in it for himself or herself" and the "good of the nation" is just so much rhetoric.

This is a powerful lesson for those who call themselves Christians and claim to be disciples - followers - of Jesus Christ. God's people are often not too honest with themselves or others. While we might confess that Jesus is Lord and that He is our Savior from Sin, Death, and Satan, our actions don't always follow suit. One of the more telling debates in the battle for culture these days is whether or not faith and religion have any place in the public sphere.

It's not unheard of to hear politicians support social and legal positions which conflict with God's Word and will. Often, in order to be accepted by the most amount of people (and be more electable), politicians who call themselves Christians have taken positions on such issues as abortion, euthanasia, same sex marriage, and "alternative lifestyles" that are clearly in violation of God's Word. Of course, in order to hold these positions, the prevailing mantra is that there are "other interpretations of God's Word" that are just as valid.

What we're left with in all of this, whether in the political realm or the everyday situations of life, is John's statement of reality from God's perspective: "By this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (I John 2:3). It seems this should be pretty simple for God's redeemed in Christ to understand, yet, because there are so many disparate "interpretations" of God's commandments, even the people of God can't seem to agree on what it means to obey God.

Perhaps we're making it too complicated for ourselves. If we go further into our reading in John's letter for today we're reminded by John that living in and for Jesus is to love others and put others ahead of ourselves. It means realizing that even though human beings may have determined that alternative approaches to what's right and wrong are "loving" toward others, the reality is all too often that it brings their ultimate harm and destruction because they end up forever outside God's presence.

Ultimately, if we say we believe in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Savior of the world from Sin, Death, and Satan, then our lives will reflect that faith. We certainly will be challenged by Sin, the world, and our flesh to "modify" our faith so that it can accommodate the world's thinking. Yet, by God's grace and the power of His Word and Spirit in our Baptisms, we have the strength of faith to live for Him according to His purpose for us. Our faith is reflected in our actions, as we love others before ourselves, in the same way as He has loved us and forgiven us and given us the assurance and sure hope of heaven. And, as we reflect truly and surely our relationship with Him by loving others in His name, not only will we be filled with His peace, but we will be able to face any challenge to our faith with joy and thanksgiving.

Prayer: Father, to live for Jesus is a wonderful gift from You, yet all too often I end up giving in to the world's wisdom and acting and living contrary to Your Will. I understand that living in Christ means also living according to Your Will as an example to others who don't yet know Your love and forgiveness. I realize that I'm not always ready, willing, and able to love other as You have loved me, and that "walking in the darkness" is often a whole lot more fun than "walking in the light." Forgive me, Father, for so often claiming to be Your child but acting otherwise. Strengthen my faith in Jesus so that I may truly be a living example of what it means to believe in Him as I touch the lives of others with Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.