MEDITATION:
Written by R. C. Sproul (1939-2017), an American theologian and Presbyterian pastor. He was the founder of Ligonier Ministries and host of the Renewing Your Mind radio broadcast.
There is much similarity between the English term for the assembly of God’s people and the terms for the same concept in other languages. Church in English, kirke in Dutch, and kirche in German. All of these words find their origin in kuriake, which is itself Greek in origin. Literally, kuriake means “belonging to the Lord.” Kurios in the Greek language can also refer to the master of slaves or servants. This explains Paul’s emphasis that he is a “servant” of the Lord. If Christians, the kuriake, belong to a master, then we are the servants or slaves of that master. To be known as servants or slaves of Christ is not to imply that our master is cruel; by no means could Jesus ever mistreat us. Instead, we are the Lord’s possession because He has purchased us from slavery to sin and death and thus also from the righteous wrath of God. As such, He is worthy of our total allegiance.
Understanding that all followers of Christ are possessions of the Lord has important implications for how we treat other Christians. To do wrong to another believer is to do wrong to one of Jesus’ own beloved. Lest we miss the point, to mistreat another Christian is to mistreat Christ Himself. All believers are so closely united to Jesus that to treat people in the church poorly is to dishonor the Lord of the church. Therefore, we should be known as those who are kind to others in the body of Christ. As servants together in the kingdom of God we must be ever conscious that He takes our treatment of His people seriously; thus, we must do good to them just as we would do good to Him.
PRAYER:
Written by John Baillie (1886-1960), a Scottish theologian and a Church of Scotland minister.
Thank you, Lord, for this new day. For its gladness and brightness, for its many hours waiting to be filled with joyful and helpful labor; for its open doors of possibility; for its hope of new beginnings. Stir up in my heart the desire to make the very most of today’s opportunities. Do not let me break any of yesterday’s promises or leave unrepaired any of yesterday’s wrongs. Do not let me see anyone in distress and pass by on the other side. Give me the strength to confront any mountain of duty or bad habit. Where an action of mine can make the this world a better place, where a word of mine can cheer a sad heart or strengthen a weak will, where a prayer of mine can serve Christ’s kingdom, there let me act and speak and pray. Amen.
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