Few things hurt as badly as hearing that someone you considered
a friend has torn you apart in a conversation, questioning your motives, your
competence, or your character. It’s too common, even among the family of faith,
our Christian brothers and sisters. And, it’s not all about ‘those people,’
either. Have you, like me, ever walked
away from a conversation and wondered, “Why did I say that? Why did I let
myself go there?” A morsel of gossip
gets shared, or a critical comment slips in, or a demeaning statement is left
unchallenged. It happens to all of us.
On the positive side, think of one of those conversations that started down
that pathway that was gently and wisely steered back to higher ground. For me, at least, it feels wonderful to
express grace when the perceived failings of another becomes the topic.
In my ongoing readings of Peter’s first letter to the
Christian church, this was what I read today. Because of the redemption of Christ, "rid yourselves of all malice and all
deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave
pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that
you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living
Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like
living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
(1 Peter 2:1-5, NIV) The Spirit weaves so much truth into those few words.
When Jesus is Lord of life, when the Spirit lives in us, our heart changes and one of the evidences
is what comes out of our mouth. No more malicious words, no more
hypocritical words, no more slanderous talk that tears at others. Jesus taught
us that “out of the heart the mouth speaks.” We cannot hope to filter our words
successfully if our heart is dark. If the Spirit is invited to live in us,
however, the overflow of our words will be life-giving, like refreshing water! Peter
urges us to feed on Christ, with the eagerness of an infant at her mother’s
breast. “Crave pure spiritual milk,” he writes. An infant received complete
nourishment in mother’s milk and grows. So will we, if we are fed by Christ.
Note that Peter switches metaphor but continues similar thought.
An evidence of our maturity is our
willingness to be ‘built into a spiritual
house.’ The old selfishness, the me-first attitude
that protects self-interests, is replaced with a desire to be linked with others
in the faith, fitted together like stones in a magnificent Temple! “Living stones,” he calls us. Think about
that. The ‘together’ aspect of our Christian
faith is further explained by reminding us that we called into a ‘holy priesthood.’
Peter is not, at all, emphasizing a
position of power or control. He is urging us to selfless service. A true priest of God does not do what he does
for himself. He serves – God, first; then others on God’s behalf. And, this life becomes like a pleasing
offering to God.
Oh, what an amazing passage. It starts with the ugly things of natural humanity and moves to the beauty of the life redeemed.
As you move through life today, listen to the overflow of
your words. Do they reveal Christ at
home in your heart?
Consider if you are letting yourself be called ‘together,’ as
befits the Spirit’s work; or if you have slipped into becoming an instrument of
divisiveness.
Our word from the Word is another translation of Peter’s
words. May the Spirit cause them to be like mother’s milk to us, causing us to
grow, to mature, and to become holy people in the service of the Lord.
"So clean house!
Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. Now, like
infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up
mature and whole in God. You’ve had a taste of God. Welcome to the living
Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set
it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the
construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy
priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God." (1 Peter 2:1-5, The
Message)
________
(an older song from MercyMe)
I'm finding myself at
a loss for words
And the funny thing is
it's okay
The last thing I need
is to be heard
But to hear what You
would say
Word of God speak
Would You pour down
like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this
place
Please let me stay and
rest
In Your holiness
(Word of God speak)
I'm finding myself in
the midst of You
Beyond the music
beyond the noise
All that I need is to
be with You
And in the quiet hear
Your voice
I'm finding myself at
a loss for words
And the funny thing is
it's okay
Bart Millard | Pete Kipley
© 2002 Simpleville Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o
Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Wordspring Music, LLC (Admin. by W.B.M. Music Corp.)
Songs From The Indigo Room (Admin. by Word Entertainment,
LLC)
CCLI License # 810055
No comments:
Post a Comment