MEDITATION:
Written by A.J. Tozer (1897-1963), an American pastor, author, magazine editor, and spiritual mentor. This is an excerpt from “Tozer on Christian Leadership.”
The fact is that the New Testament message embraces a great deal more than an offer of free pardon. It is a message of pardon, and for that may God be praised; but it is also a message of repentance. It is a message of atonement, but it is also a message of temperance and righteousness and godliness in this present world. It tells us that we must accept a Savior, but it tells us also that we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. The gospel message includes the idea of amendment, of separation from the world, of cross-carrying and loyalty to the kingdom of God even unto death. To be strictly technical, these latter truths are corollaries of the gospel, and not the gospel itself; but they are part and parcel of the total message which we are commissioned to declare….To offer a sinner the gift of salvation based upon the work of Christ, while at the same time allowing him to retain the idea that the gift carries with it no moral implications, is to do him untold injury where it hurts him worst. Lord, help me to proclaim the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth as I present the Gospel today.
PRAYER:
From the Roman Breviary, the liturgical book of the Latin liturgical rites of the Catholic Church. Published in 1482, it became known as the Liturgy of the Hours.
O God,
let the fire of your love burn up in us all things that displease you,
and prepare us for your heavenly Kingdom; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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