To be changed - fostering a spirit of reformation

The 31st of October is known as Reformation Day - we remember it as the occasion when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the door of the All-Saints church in Wittenberg in 1517. A lot of things happened in the buildup to this significant event, and we would do well not to think that it only took a single day to bring about Reformation. 

We could argue that the Church is still being reformed and perhaps this is a good thing. As much as all churches seek to follow the ways of Jesus, we all end up missing the mark in some way. Our greatest danger may lie in thinking that we have 'made it' and that we are the finished article. If the Holy Spirit needs to sanctify the individual believer, then surely, He also needs to sanctify and reform the greater church.  

The question remains to be asked: Are we so keen to be changed and reformed? Reformation always looks so neat and simple in hindsight, but it never comes without a struggle and growing pains. 

"The church is always trying to get other people to reform, it might not be a bad idea to reform itself a little, by way of example." - Mark Twain

"Nevertheless, the central affirmation of the Reformation stands: through no merit of ours, but by his mercy, WE HAVE BEEN RESTORED to a right relationship with God through the life, death, and resurrection of his beloved Son. This is the Good News, the gospel of Grace. " - Brennan Manning

Living in Grace

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Marked by love

 

"Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.” - Mark 9:7 (Message)

When God proudly spoke of Jesus as his son, he used the phrase 'marked by my love', which speaks of identity and influence. Everything about Jesus came from the Father and Jesus bore the marks of his heavenly parent.

The challenging question for us is this: "In what way are we revealing the marks of Christ in our lives?"
Can people see Jesus in us?
Can they see how God has changed our lives?

What does being 'marked by love' mean for you today?

Living in Grace
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Putting God to the Test

 

The idea of God testing us is a very common notion. We may be going through a difficult time and suddenly we will ask - "Why is God testing me?"
I am not going to focus on that question in this devotion, but rather on something that involves us putting God to the test. Yes, you did read correctly - us putting God to the test! 

Here is the exact passage:
"and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing." - Malachi 3:10

God actually invites us to put him to the test. And this is not so that we get 'gifts' in return, but so that we understand how generous God really is. 

In this season of Advent let us see the birth of Jesus as God "opening the windows of heaven for us."
We receive Jesus as the ultimate blessing.

Living in Grace
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My old clothes

I have been known to hang onto some of my old clothing until it can't be "saved" anymore. Call me sentimental or just attached to my comfortable clothes, but I don't like throwing these things away. However, there comes a time, when even I have to relent and send my clothes on their merry way. It may take many, many years before this happens, but it ALWAYS happens in the end. 

So, why am I telling you this? Well, because it comes up in the book of Hebrews. The writer recalls a passage from Psalm 102, where the Israelites acknowledged that just as clothes wear out, so the world will also wear out and come to an end.

"You, Master, started it all, laid earth’s foundations,
    then crafted the stars in the sky.
Earth and sky will wear out, but not you;
    they become threadbare like an old coat;
You’ll fold them up like a worn-out cloak,
    and lay them away on the shelf.
But you’ll stay the same, year after year;
    you’ll never fade, you’ll never wear out." - Hebrews 1:12 (Message)

The Good News in this verse lies in the final words, where we are reminded that even though things fade away, Jesus Christ stays the same forever - He will never end.

"You will roll them up like a robe (coat);
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,    and your years will never end." - Hebrews 1:12

Living in Grace
D3LM3