Christ is Supreme

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 31, 2022

Christ is Supreme

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

1 Peter 3:22

Read:1 Peter 3:17-22

Peter begins this passage writing again about the suffering the new community of believers was experiencing in the culture, especially from the civil authorities. He then connects our suffering to the suffering Jesus experienced.

Many churches use the Apostles’ Creed in one of two versions. In one, the Creed affirms Jesus “. . . suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven.” Another version of the Creed affirms Jesus “. . .    suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven.”

The word ‘hell’ is used by tradition, but the word should be translated, ‘Hades” which was a place where all the dead went as opposed to hell which is a place of punishment. The NLT and the NRSV uses the phrase “spirits in prison” for verse 19.

Peter’s point is that these spirits had been disobedient to God. He then uses the experience of Noah to show how our baptism is a way of expressing our salvation brought through the resurrection of Jesus.

My Takeaway: In verse 22, quoted above, Peter is affirming that Jesus has all authority and is supreme over all creation. This is my periodic reminder to read again of the supremacy of Christ in Colossians 1:15-20.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

All Christians

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 30, 2022

All Christians

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

1 Peter 3:15

Read: 1 Peter 3:8-16

I believe the context of this passage is seen perfectly in the quote I had in my meditation from March 9, 2022:

“Beloved brethren…[we] are philosophers not in words, but in deeds;
we exhibit our wisdom not by our dress, but by truth;
we know virtues by their practice rather than through boasting of them;
we do not speak great things but we live them.”

Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, A.D. 256

Peter was urging his congregation to live out their faith. This reminds me of a series of sermons James Moore preached using the title: When You're a Christian...The Whole World Is From Missouri. (Dimensions for Living (October 1, 2010)) Missouri is the ‘show me’ state. When you live your life by faith in Christ, with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection at the center of your life, people will notice. They will look to see if your life reflects the world’s culture or are you marching to a different beat.

In the last two years, we have faced many challenges with the pandemic, shortage of commodities, war in Ukraine, and inflation. We have also encountered illness, and deaths within our family and friends. Much of the prevailing culture has responded with a spirit of fear, hoarding, and anger. Like James (my meditation on March 17, 2022), Peter is beckoning the followers of Jesus to a patient lifestyle that participates in God’s mission. Remember, it is not about our control; rather, we seek a lifestyle trusting God.

My Takeaway: As we live hopeful lives, entrusting the future confidently to God, our neighbors will notice. If they ask about our hope as a believer, let’s always be ready to offer them Christ.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Husbands and Wives

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 29, 2022

Husbands and Wives

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:7

Read: 1 Peter 3:1-7

First, as we read today’s passage, we will want to hold tightly to what we saw in yesterday’s meditation. Jesus is the center of our life, and we are all, husbands, and wives, equal before him, and each other.

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Secondly, stand back at look at the full context of Peter’s instruction. We are all creatures of habit; we typically sit in about the same place every week in church. We also tend to follow social norms for behavior and dress. Peter is cutting against the grain of the social customs and norms of his day. Peter is encouraging the wives in his church to know and hold tightly to the beauty of Christ Jesus within them. That beauty outshines anything the culture has to offer. For the husbands, Peter goes completely countercultureal and calls the husbands to treat their wives with respect as they are an “equal partner in God’s gift of new life. (v.7)

My Takeaway: In today’s reading, some may latch on to words such as authority, obedience, and weaker and take these words literally. To do so is to miss Peter’s point. He was not making a case for complementarianism; he is making God’s case that we are one in Christ.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Jesus Always at the Center

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 28, 2022

Jesus Always at the Center

Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2:25

Read: 1 Peter 2:18-25

In quoting from Isaiah 53, Peter has firmly laid the foundation for his faith and for the faith of the followers of Jesus. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus is the center of our faith and of our life together. In this passage, and the next passage which deals with husbands and wives, Peter is affirming that those who may be slaves to earthly masters are free in Christ, and those who are slaves to God are free in Christ. Within the church, we are all equal before God, and so should we be with each other. This was a very timely message as many of the members of the new community of believers were slaves, and slave owners as well.

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Peter is not endorsing the system of slavery which was a prominent part of his culture. Rather, he is insisting our first priority in all things, is to see ourselves in Christ as we seek to make the life in Christ our way of life.

My Takeaway: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12: 17-18)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Live as Servants of God

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 25, 2022

Live as Servants of God

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.

1 Peter 2:11 (NRSV)

Read: 1 Peter 2:11-17

Remember, our life belongs to God, by creation and redemption, our life belongs to God. Peter is appealing to this truth by referring to the new community of believers as aliens and exiles. We are called to live in the world, but not be a part of the world, or as Peter wrote earlier, not let the world corrupt us.

I noted on March 9, 2022 that these first Christian communities, when challenged about their ideas, pointed to their actions. They believed that their behavior said what they believed; it was an enactment of their Gospel message. A Bishop of the church said it this way:

“Beloved brethren…[we] are philosophers not in words, but in deeds;

we exhibit our wisdom not by our dress, but by truth;

we know virtues by their practice rather than through boasting of them;

we do not speak great things but we live them.”

Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, A.D. 256

Later in this epistle, Peter will encourage the church to, “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15 NRSV) But the primary means of evangelism of the early church was through their lifestyle. Their love for one another, and their holding fast to their moral and ethical beliefs, over and against the world’s culture, was their boldest witness. In the Fifth Century, Saint Patrick would follow this same model when he returned to Ireland. His witness forever changed Ireland, England and much of Europe.

My Takeaway: More and more, I am seeing churches accommodate their beliefs to the world’s culture. And more and more, I am seeing churches embrace partisan politics. We must always remember our calling is to witness for God’s Kingdom.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

New Community

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 24, 2022

New Community

You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

Read: 1 Peter 2:4-10

The first thing I noted in today’s reading is that we picked up right where we left off yesterday. In making his point that the believers in Jesus have become a new community, a holy nation, Peter uses six Old Testament citations in these seven verses. Yes, our faith rests securely on the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Our faith also rests on the revelation in Jesus Christ of God’s plan for our redemption that is foretold throughout the Old Testament.

Peter has made it clear that our new life in Christ is a dynamic life. As Paul noted in 2 Corinthians 5: 17, “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Peter has already identified several implications of this new life in Christ. Here, Peter shows that God is forming the believers into a new community, or as he calls it, a holy nation or royal priesthood. Our transformation into the children of God, as Christ is formed in us, happens within this new community of believers.

My Takeaway: First, Jesus prayed in John 17 that the unity of the believers would be a witness to the world that Jesus is God’s Messiah. Peter is showing how Jesus’ prayer can become a reality within the new community. Secondly, we cannot over emphasize the importance of our local congregations to our spiritual formation and to our witness for Christ to the world. The covenant relationship between the individuals in a congregation is no less important than God’s New Covenant relationship with us.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Good News

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 23, 2022

Good News

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

1 Peter 1:23

Read: 1 Peter 1:22-2:3

I love the way Peter ties our promised eternal life with the eternal word of God. Following verse 23, Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8, which ends, “The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” He then proclaimed, “And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.” Remember the Kerygma from March 21, 2022? That is the Good News Peter was preaching. My Takeaway Monday was, “As we continue our journey through the Season of Lent, I think it will be helpful to reflect on how consistent our life in Christ is with the six points of the Kerygma.” I reaffirm this. Our eternal life is rooted in the eternal word of God, which Peter says is the Good News, the Kerygma. We need often to plumb our beliefs and insure they are staying moored to God’s eternal Good News.

Peter again affirms our need to examine our lives to insure we are living in a manner consistent with the Good News we have received. He then urges us to go on to perfection: “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” (2:2-3) Here Peter reminds me of the first three of Covey’s Seven Habits: be proactive, with the end in sight, and don’t let the urgent trump the important. (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey)

My Takeaway: Cry out for nourishment! Cheryl and I experienced this in the first months of the pandemic lockdown in 2020. The lack of pure spiritual milk – solid Biblical preaching and teaching as churches were closed, and especially the lack of the sacrament of Holy Communion was withering to our souls. Thank God, He heard our cry and led us to an oasis where we receive the sacrament, and the word of God with reverence and awe.

Also, Peter quoted Isaiah 40 to affirm the word of the Lord remains forever. So did James – see my meditation for March 4, 2022. How does Peter and James’ reliance on the word of God inform your faith?

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

A Call to Holy Living

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 22, 2022

A Call to Holy Living

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15-16

Read: 1 Peter 1:10-21

Peter had in mind several passages in the Book of Leviticus in asserting “You must be holy because I am holy.” (v.16) Why should we reach for such a high calling? Peter tells us: “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you . . .  And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” (v.18-19)

During this Season of Lent, the only motivation we need to seriously examine the way we are living is to reflect on the core value of the Christian faith: God ransomed our soul through the blood of Jesus!

In the first three verses of today’s reading, Peter is looking back to the Old Testament prophets, Isaiah and Zechariah, and their foretelling of God’s promised Messiah. Peter will elaborate on this in 2 Peter 3:8-9, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

This passage reminds me of what I wrote on March 17, 2022: God is patient, is working inexorably across the centuries to accomplish his mission, and in the fullness of time has disclosed himself in Jesus Christ. Patience is hopeful: It entrusts the future confidently to God.

My Takeaway: I personally affirm Peter’s words in verse 21: Through Christ I have come to trust in God. And I have placed my faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. Will you join me? 

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Hope of Eternal Life

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 21, 2022

The Hope of Eternal Life

The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:9 

Read: 1 Peter 1:1-9

I believe the epistle First Peter was written by the Apostle Peter from Rome in 67 AD, to the churches scattered throughout Asia. Peter encourages the people of God to stand firm in the faith, not because they will be punished if they don’t, but because of all that God has done for them, and will do for them when Christ returns.

There are two characteristics to this letter that give insight to the work of the first church. First, there was a consistent theme and form to the preaching in the early church. Peter’s words here are very similar to the record we have of his preaching in the Book of Acts. This message was so consistent in the early church it was given the name Kerygma. Essentially this form of preaching contained six points:

• 1-    The era of the New Covenant, foretold by the prophets, has dawned.
• 2-    This has taken place through the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• 3-    By virtue of the resurrection, Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God as head of the church.
• 4-    The Holy Spirit in the church is the sign of Christ's present power and glory.
• 5-    The era of the New Covenant will reach its consummation in the return of Christ.
• 6-    An appeal is made for repentance with the offer of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and salvation.

In addition to consistency of preaching, there was also consistency of teaching in the first church. As an example, in our reading today, there are striking similarities to the teaching of Paul in the book of Ephesians.

1 Peter 1:3 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,”

 

Ephesians 1:3 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”

Peter is also consistent with James in noting how the trials and sufferings of life are used by God to refine and purify our faith. Paul also joined the chorus: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

My Takeaway: As we continue our journey through the Season of Lent, I think it will be helpful to reflect on how consistent our life in Christ is with the six points of the Kerygma.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Power of Prayer

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 18, 2022

The Power of Prayer

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

James 5:13

Read: James 5:13-20

James closes his letter with a discussion of prayer that continues the theme he began in chapter one: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” For instance, James encourages the sick to go to the elders for anointing with oil and prayer. In that culture, the people believed there was a direct connection between sin and sickness. Doctors and medicine were not readily available, if at all. Today, when we are sick, our options include going to the pharmacy, calling our doctor, or going to a clinic or ER. The difference between our culture and first century Jerusalem reminds me of something Mother Teresa said, “You will never know Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have.”

God has blessed us to live in an age where we have many healthcare options, and we should use these. However, we also need to remember that God is the author of our life, and it is good to go to God in prayer in all our circumstances. Anointing and praying for the sick is an expression of the truth that our lives belong to God. By creation and redemption our lives belong to God.

James is very consistent with Paul in affirming that our life in Christ will overflow with joy and singing and prayer. These three are like a doctor taking our blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. When these measurements are abnormal, we are sick. So also, when there is an absence of joy, singing and prayer in our lives, we are spiritually sick.

To see how singing, joy and praise were an integral part of the life in Christ in the first century look up: 1 Corinthians 14:15, 26; Romans 15:9; Ephesians 5:19; and Colossians 3:16.

The news media reports a steady flow of stories of war, inflation, crime, and discord. It is easy for the reality of the world today to drift into the consciousness of the Christian and the Christian Church. We want our churches to stand against the world culture, but we also want our churches to be a safe place for our spiritual wellbeing. Let me reach back to a portion of yesterday’s reading to close these meditations on the Book of James.

My Takeaway: “. . . as you wait for the Lord’s return.” In reading this, I am reminded of a portion of the Eucharist liturgy: “When we receive, by faith, the bread and cup, we experience anew the presence of the Lord Christ Jesus in our lives as we look forward to him coming again in Final Victory.” Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Patience and Endurance

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 17, 2022

Patience and Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return.

James 5:7a

Read: James 5: 7-12

Patience was centrally important to the early Christians. They talked about patience and wrote about it.  Christian writers called patience the “highest virtue,” “the greatest of all virtues,” the virtue that was “peculiarly Christian.” They concluded that they, trusting in God, should be patient—not controlling events, not anxious or in a hurry, and never using force to achieve their ends.

Our Christian ancestors believed patience brought to Christians the life of the Beatitudes and the life of love that Paul celebrates in 1 Corinthians 13. How? Because patience is rooted in God’s character; God is patient, is working inexorably across the centuries to accomplish his mission, and in the fullness of time has disclosed himself in Jesus Christ.

The heart of patience is revealed in the incarnation of Jesus Christ; Jesus’s life and teaching demonstrate what patience means and beckon those who follow him to a patient lifestyle that participates in God’s mission. Patience is not in human control; people who live a patient lifestyle trust God and do not try to manipulate outcomes; they live incautiously, riskily. Patience is not in a hurry; patient Christians live at the pace given by God, accepting incompleteness and waiting.

My Takeaway: Patience is hopeful; it entrusts the future confidently to God.

(The Patient Ferment of the Early Church: The Improbable Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, Alan Kreider, Baker Academic, March 29, 2016) 

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Warning to the Rich

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 16, 2022

Warning to the Rich

For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

James 5:4

Read: James 5:1-6

Did you watch the Olympics this year? I didn’t. My personal boycott wasn’t noticed in China or in the executive suites of the television networks. But it was something I could do as my protest of the genocide by the CCP. Remember the sins of omission from yesterday?

Today’s passage affirms that the cries of the oppressed reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Have the cries of the oppressed in our own cities reached our ears? When is the last time we heard our religious leaders speak out against oppression and mistreatment of workers? When is the last time our religious leaders have spoken out against political leaders whose policies have contributed to the homelessness crisis across our country? When is the last time our religious leaders have spoken out against the political leaders whose policies have made it dangerous to walk in so many neighborhoods, and to take public transportation in so many of our cities?

My Takeaway: I am responding to today’s passage by praying for God’s guidance for one thing I can do, or change how I am doing, or stop doing that will align me with the Lord of Heaven’s Armies and those who are being oppressed.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

If The Lord Wishes

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 15, 2022

If The Lord Wishes

Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:15 (NRSV)

Read: James 4:11-17

On February 23, I shared the prayer of Adoration that includes the line, “I am not my own, I am Thine. By creation and redemption I am Thine.” In today’s passage, James illustrates an application of this prayer.

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (v.13-15)

This is much more than semantics. Verse 15 is an acknowledgement that our lives belong to God and thus we seek God’s wisdom and leading in all that we do. The Apostle Paul also warned about the dangers of being corrupted by the world and in the importance of leaning into God’s will for us.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

My Takeaway: James continues to give us appropriate Lenten messages when he admonishes us, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (v.17) I suspect our sins of omission may well exceed our sins of commission.  

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Divided Loyalty

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 14, 2022

Divided Loyalty

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

James 4:8

Read: James 4:1-10

Last Thursday, reflecting on James’ discussion of the evil within our tongue, I noted James wanted the church to recognize the dichotomy that is the reality of our life. Today’s passage expounds on that dichotomy.

·         The quarrels and fights among you come from the evil desires at war within you.

·         You want what you don’t have

·         You are jealous of what others have

·         You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it

·         When you do ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

But James doesn’t leave us hanging, he reminds us our hope is in God’s faithfulness: “God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously.” (v.5-6) Because of God’s generous grace, we can humble ourselves before God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us. We can come close to God, and God will come close to us! (v.7-8)

Today’s passage ends with a truly Lenten theme: “Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.” (v.9)

My Takeaway: There is also a hopeful, Easter resurrection ending today: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” (v.10) Yes, God gives grace generously!

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

True Wisdom

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 11, 2022

True Wisdom

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:13

Read: James 3:13-18 

They say great minds think alike. That was certainly true of Paul and James. I made a list of the attributes of Godly wisdom James identifies in verses 17-18. Then I compared it to Paul’s list of the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Because of this, I find it helpful to sometimes substitute the word love for wisdom. There are times when I am not sure how to respond to someone and I pray for wisdom. I believe knowing that God’s wisdom and love are interwoven helps me be more discerning of God’s leading.

As I read these verses, I remember hearing that when people are trained how to identify counterfeit currency, instead of learning about all the different ways the currency can be copied or altered, the student spends their time learning about the genuine currency. The student becomes so familiar with the genuine article they can easily identify a counterfeit.

Both Paul and James have identified things Christians are not supposed to do. But both Paul and James emphasize even more the characteristics of the life in Christ. Can it be that when we are completely immersed in Christ’ life we can easily identify the counterfeit life offered by the evil one?

My Takeaway: Counting calories is the best way to achieve an appropriate body weight. Just as we should have an awareness of what foods we are taking in, and their calories, it is also essential for us to be aware of the ways of the world (see v.15-16). How many calories of the world’s culture we are ingesting as compared to the Godly calories found in the means of grace? The Godly calories will lead us to be peacemakers who plant seeds of peace and who reap a harvest of righteousness. (v.18)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.