Gospel

Body Faith

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Its tempting to carve up our lives into little compartments

such that we separate what we do with our bodies

from our faith.  God wants us to see the connection:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, 

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—

this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1

In response to the Gospel of Jesus offer your body to God.

Offer your body as a living sacrifice.

Obvious:

Your body is the only vehicle you have for serving Him.

Yet we too often disconnect what we are doing in our body from our faith.

Two implications:

  1. Sin enslaves the body to act according to desires that are contrary to the way of God; but the Gospel frees us to progressively choose and act in keeping with the royal law of love.  Jesus has made us and is making us holy and pleasing to God.
  2. Worship is not confined to a specific hour or place; worship is what we do when we are continually offering what we are doing to God — at work, in relationships, at home.

For a good start of the day develop a spiritual exercise out of Romans 12:1:

Reflect on the extraordinary love of God shown us in the cross of Jesus.

Then in view of God’s mercy offer each part of your body to God:  My head — its yours; may my thoughts honour you.  My eyes — they are yours, may I see the world as you see.  My ears — they are yours, may I have your grace to listen to people and hear what you are doing in their lives.  My mouth…  My hands…”

Avoid the God App

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It’s tempting to treat God like an app.

Just download God and go to the app when you need Him.

One app among many.  Problems?  Just ask God what to do so you can be blessed.

The Gospel is different.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, 

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—

this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1

When we treat God like an app we move directly to morality and abandon grace.

“What does God want me to do?”

Do “x” so God will give you “y.”

Avoid the God App, it will corrupt genuine Gospel faith.

The Gospel gives us a relationship, not an app of convenience.

“…in view of God’s mercy…”

Connecting faith to real life starts with a view of the cross.

Jesus took our place that we might enjoy His place with the Father.

Sin would take its toll from us — killing us slowly with guilt, shame, and fear.

But mercifully He took our guilt that we might have a share in His innocence,

our shame that we might have a share in His honour,

our fear that we might have a share in His peace.

Now through Jesus we are connected to One from whom and through whom

and for whom all things are!  (Romans 11:36)

What an awesome God we have!

The inconvenient but joyful way to live as one loved by Jesus is

is to make His mercy our starting place.

Passion Week ~ Tuesday

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Last week in front of the UBC bookstore I saw the most wonderful sight:

A staircase as if lowered from heaven was deposited on top of the new SUB.

UBC New SUB Stairs

I recalled God’s invitation to Jacob. (Genesis 28:11-19)

Unless God comes reveals we will not see Him.

Unless God makes a way we cannot reach Him.

Unless God comes down…

It’s the week of Jesus’ passion — His suffering.

The cross was the trajectory of His life.

He “came down” that we might “go up to Him.”

He fulfills the longings of our heart to be near to God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gosY-UrpHcA&feature=youtu.be

In Nearer my God to Thee Sarah Flower Adams reflects on Jacob’s experience and our longings.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Chorus: Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Chorus

There let the way appear steps unto heav’n;

All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv’n;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,

Chorus

Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;

So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Chorus

Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee,

A sixth verse was later added to the hymn by Ed­ward H. Bick­er­steth, Jr. as follows:

There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,

There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;

Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.

Chorus

(Thanks to Stacia Sealey for the UBC New SUB Stairs picture.)

Passion Week – Monday

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Standing on the edge of what looks like disaster,

we wonder if we will lose our freedom.

Jesus entered Jerusalem.

And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up,

saying, “Who is this?”

He’s the One who called them to step into the water; the One

who brought them through the waters; the One who stirred

the waters.

I’ve got a song on my mind: Wade in the waters.

Freedom is costly.

We see God’s hand most often when we move forward in obedience.

For the slaves who fled their oppressors in America, the streams hid

them from the dogs, but they always had to step out… hoping.

“Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;

he will answer him from his holy heaven

with the saving might of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Psalm 20:6-7

Praying with Patrick

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It’s St. Patrick’s Day this weekend.  And some in our University are already celebrating.  Here is a part of a famous prayer attributed to Patrick.

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me:

God’s might to uphold me,

God’s wisdom to guide me,

God’s eye to look before me,

God’s ear to hear me,

God’s word to speak for me,

God’s hand to guard me,

God’s way to lie before me,

God’s host to secure me–

against snares of devils,
against inclination of nature,

against everyone who shall

wish me ill, afar and anear,

alone and in a crowd.

 

Christ to protect me today.

Christ with me, Christ before me,

Christ behind me, Christ in me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit,

Christ where I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

 

I arise today through a mighty strength,

the invocation of the Trinity,

through belief in the Threeness,

through confession of the Oneness towards the Creator.

 

Salvation is of the Lord.

Salvation is of the Lord.

Salvation is of Christ.

May Thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us. AMEN.

 

This prayer is part of the Breastplate of St. Patrick, missionary to Ireland.  Born 385 AD in England.  Enslaved in Ireland at age 16.  Escaped but returned to Ireland to proclaim the way of Jesus.  Died March 17, 461.