6-4-2016

Good Morning All!! 

           Romans 8:1-2; “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

    It is fascinating how we have to go about some things in order to accomplish our goals in life.  For example, if you have ever tried to walk a straight line; you will find that the task is easier if you pick out a point or object in the distance and then focus your eyes on it.  It is easier this way than it is to look down at your feet and watch each step.  Even though our goal is to walk a straight line; we accomplish it by looking far away, not close by.

    The same is true in baseball.  For the batter, his goal is to get to first base.  For the defender, his goal is to get the batter out.  Yet the batter does not focus his eyes on first base and the defender does not stare at the batter.  In both cases, the player watches the baseball.  The batter watches it in order to time his swing to hit the ball.  The defender needs to see the ball as well.  Neither player will accomplish their particular goal by focusing exclusively on the goal.  They have to focus and pay attention somewhere else.

    This becomes true in our faith life as well.  We want to live righteous lives according to God’s will.  We do this, not by focusing on the law but by focusing on God’s Spirit which lives in us.  It is true that God’s Law points out righteousness but we get there by being responsive to the Spirit that lives in us.  We keep our hearts focused on the love that Jesus gives us and in doing so we see and experience his righteousness and live in his pure love.

    So how do we do this?  God actually gives us a simple way to follow his command.  Rather than try and keep the law to appease God we work to aid the well-being of our neighbor.  This really is the Christian’s goal for obtaining the goal.  We follow the law of the Spirit by loving our neighbor, by caring for our neighbor.  Our goal is accomplished by focusing on the needs of our neighbor.  When we wonder what we can do to praise God, the best thing to do is to look around.  Do you have a neighbor who is lonely or needs help with something?  Can you mentor a child or a young adult?  Can you read a book to someone who cannot read?  Can you plant one more tomato plant or vegetable in your garden to help someone down the street? 

    These are simple actions yet all are focused on serving our neighbor and all fulfil the commandment of Jesus, “Love one another.”  This is the simplest and most God-pleasing action we can take.  We need to serve our neighbor in his needs.  This is how we live righteous lives according to God’s will; love one another.

Father, move my heart to see that serving my neighbor is serving you.  Move me to bring your incredible love to those around me.  Lead me to care for the needs of my neighbor.  Lead me to have compassion as you have compassion on me.  Protect us from all evil.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret