Those who believe and those who disobey

21Jan
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.
-John 3:31-35

For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt.
-Hebrews 6:4-6


Both the Gospel and the Epistle lessons for today acknowledge that many of us hear the Word but fail to follow it or even reject it outright. Such readings are troubling to me because I know that I too am often indifferent to the Words of and about Jesus. My heart is distracted or I am too tired or cynical to care. The passages are also difficult to embrace (at least for me) because they seem to divide the Christian community into those who believe and those who disobey. At the present time the divisions in our society are so frightening that anything that might fuel further judgmentalism is scary to think about. I would rather believe that these passages reflect the conflicts and divisions within our own hearts. It is hard to translate the beautiful words we hear on Sunday into a diligent pursuit of the Christian life the other six days a week. But I try hard to heed the teachings presented in our worship services, and what keeps me coming back Sunday after Sunday is that I meet others who are trying too. I am inspired by their stories and their struggles, guided by dedicated pastoral and musical staff and inspired preaching.


Musical Reflection - Be Thou My Vision - Audrey Assad


Heavenly Father, teach me to pray for growth and compassion and not for perfection. Just as Your love has strengthened me, teach me to love others without reservation or judgement. Amen.

Gospel

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