HAVE HIGH STANDARDS

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Today’s Readings:

Acts 13:44-52

Psalm 145:8-13a

Apocalypse 21:1-5;

John 13:31-33,34-35

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I want you to have high standards. It doesn’t get higher than Christ. His love is the standard. You have heard the phrase, “Be human”. We say this to mean treat them well. But our fallen human nature is oriented towards selfishness—we only think of ourselves. Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment: love one another; By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples" (John 14:34,35). We are called to influence the culture for Christ. In place of pride, be humble. Be charitable, not greedy. Choose gratitude instead of envy, temperance for gluttony, diligence for sloth, patience for anger and chastity for lust. Those who live according to Christ’s standard have crucified their fleshly passions and desires; they are moved by the Holy Spirit and are destined for eternal life (Galatians 5:24,25).

Persevere in faith. Paul and Barnabas encouraged those they converted with these words, ‘We all have to experience many hardships’ they said ‘before we enter the Kingdom of God’ (Acts 14:22). So long as we live in this world there will be tough times, we shall go through a lot and a lot shall go through us but we must never lose sight of who we are and where we are going—we are children of God and heaven is our ultimate destination. Fast and pray for yourself. You are not just working for your daily bread. You are working out your salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Sanctify all you do with the dew of prayer and the spiritual vitality of fasting. Do you know that your work, if offered to God as prayer, will outlive you. Jesus says, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal” (John 6:27).

Be accountable. Learn to give an account for all that has been entrusted to you. Your sincerity with smaller responsibilities will open bigger doors to you (Luke 16:10). It is also a way of preparing for the final judgment, where all of us shall render an account for how we have spent our lives here on earth. If you cannot be trusted with earthly goods, who will give you true treasures? (Luke 16:11). “Send forth your Spirit and we shall be recreated and we shall renew the face of the earth” (Psalm 104:30). There shall be a renewal of all things. This is not a wiping away of old memories, like the reformatting of a hard drive. It is the inner transformation of every soul that is oriented towards God. Rebellious hearts, unrepentant souls, lying lips, workers of iniquity, lovers of violence and other forms of vices shall not be renewed. Only those who persevere in goodness, who are faithful to God despite challenges in their lives, shall be renewed and become part of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1).

JUDE-MARY OWOH

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To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully seek out a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.

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Prayer:

1. Lord, I acknowledge You to be the standard of life, holiness and peace. Be the centre of my life. Let your Holy Spirit influence my thoughts, choices, decisions and actions. Bless my hands and feet and lead me on the path of righteousness. In joy and pain, in chaos and peace, I am yours forever. Amen.

2. Eternal Father, you continue to love me at my lowest and highest. I place myself and all that I do into your hands. Bless me and bless others through me, through Christ our Lord. Amen.