Meditation
Written by Michael Youssef, a contemporary American pastor.
Nearly every day, it seems people invent a new way to shake their fists at God and His Word. As believers living in this sin-sick world, we must take care to keep ourselves “from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). We do not isolate ourselves from the world, however, for then how could we bear witness? Rather, we are to live differently—but that’s often easier said than done.
God gives us hope through Paul’s letter to believers living in one of the most spiritually sick cities of the ancient world: Corinth. Some of the Corinthian believers were trying to keep one foot in the church and the other in the world, but that’s impossible to do. So, Paul earnestly writes to help the church confront this temptation—to bring them into wholeness in Christ by reminding them who they already are. Paul calls the believers in Corinth—messed up as they are—saints.
Every time we deliberately sin, every time we fall into ungodly behavior, it is because we have forgotten who we are—and whose we are. We are children of God, made righteous by the blood of Christ. Armed with the Truth that God will remain faithful to us even when we are not faithful to Him—we are empowered to live holy lives as He is holy. You are saints; now live like it.
Prayer
Written by Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226), an Italian friar, deacon and preacher. He founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of Saint Claire, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land.
Most high, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense, and knowledge, so that I may carry out Your holy and true command. Amen.
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