Friday May 20, 2022

Today is Friday, May 20 and we are exploring what the bible says about the role of the community in sanctification.

As I begin a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I quiet my busy mind and calm my wandering thoughts. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I long to experience your presence during these early moments of my day. I want to hear your voice above all other voices in my life. Speak to my heart and mind the message you have for me. Come, Holy Spirit, show me how I can find Christian community and mature as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I seek understanding from the Lord my God and listen for his wisdom with the words of Psalm 49.

Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike: My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. Psalm 49:1-3

Pause and Pray

In the book of Colossians, Paul instructs believers in Christian living. He uses powerful images throughout the third chapter of putting off the old self with its old practices and putting on the new self with its new practices. Because we are God’s chosen people, we know we are loved by God and seek to grow in holiness. This transformation of our souls is possible through the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit and happens in Christian community. We are under continuous renewal and encouraged to live a life of love sharing with other Christians. Paul encourages Christ followers to practice the following instructions.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:13-16

I am a part of a community of faith and the bible gives me guidelines on how to best live in that community. I am to bear with others and forgive them – even if I have a valid grievance against someone. Above all I am urged to intentionally put on love, which brings all the Christian virtues together in beautiful harmony. I seek peace and want Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to rule in my heart. I desire for there to be harmony and accord in my home as well as in the body of Christ the church. I will continue to teach truth, share the good news, seek wisdom and offer beneficial counsel. I am ever thankful and sing praises to God from a grateful heart.

Ask: When I consider my relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ, how well am I doing in my life together with them? Am I grateful to God for the relationships I have with other people of faith?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, forgive me for falling short of your expectations in my relationships with others. Fill me with your love, joy, peace and thanksgiving. Grant me your wisdom and truth. Help me to forgive others from the heart as you so graciously forgive me. Enable me to bear with others and live with them in unity and peace. I read the words from Colossians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:13-16

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God wants to speak to me today about my relationships with other people – especially other Christian believers. As I meditate on this passage of scripture, I consider who I need to forgive and/or whose forgiveness I should seek. Who are the people with whom I have a grievance? Who do I need to bear with and/or “put up” with? What do I need God to supply in my relationships with others? Perhaps I need patience, forbearance, forgiveness, humility, love, peace, gratitude or appreciation. Maybe I need to teach someone or maybe I need to be taught by someone. Perhaps I need to admonish (warn or advise) someone or maybe I am the one who needs words of admonishment.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I pray for your sanctifying grace to work in my soul. Reveal your truth, teach me, admonish me, sharpen me with iron, shape me as clay. Mold me, make me, fill me, use me. I surrender to your power and will and place my very life at the foot of the cross to love and serve Jesus as my risen Lord. Amen.

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18

I leave this time of prayer seeking to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ sharing his love with a broken and troubled world.

Amen