Each of today’s passages can act as a challenge to us.
Solomon was given the job of building ‘a temple for the name
of the Lord’. In chapter 2 of the
second book of Chronicles we read of his detailed and thorough preparations for
the task. Is my approach to service for
God comparable?
Nahum was sent to proclaim an unpopular message, prophesying
the downfall of Nineveh
John, in his first letter, tells his readers that they [and
we] must be obedient to Jesus; must walk as Jesus did; must love His/Our
Heavenly Father and our Christian brothers and sisters. The challenge to love one another has
featured in recent readings and comes to us again today. We are not to love the things of the world
because they do not come from the Father and because they pass away. We ARE to love Jesus Christ who died in our
place, conquering sin and death to save us, and also our Christian brothers and
sisters. Refusing to love them is
choosing darkness rather than light.
What, in practice, am I choosing?
John also points out some safeguards that help us continue in
the faith:
-
we
have received an anointing of the Holy One,
-
we
already know the truth that should remain in us, and
-
we
should remain in the Father, acknowledging Jesus as the Christ, His Son.
Father, please may my walk with you today be more like that
of Jesus, by the help of your Holy Spirit.