Intentional living

Hebrews 13:1  Let mutual love continue. 2  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3  Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4  Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5  Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." 6  So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"

Followers of Jesus live with clear intent. These are stated as values to aspire towards: “Let...Do not neglect...Keep...be” These are verbs, or ‘doing’ words. No one can be a Christian through intellectual agreement. This is a life that moves beyond a good idea, to a life that is lived, every day, in every way.

This does not mean that Christ-followers are perfect. Our Christian prayers acknowledge our shortcomings. It does mean, however, that we will not water down our expectation of ourselves. We will begin each day with fresh expectations of ourselves being better than the day before: “So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid’.”

Fifth  Sunday of Easter

Love is the Sign

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 167.

This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.