Discipleship Response
Ephesians 5:1-2
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
~ Apostle Paul
Pondering Point
So, as His child, dearly loved, what is God asking of you? Our Lord Jesus loved us and gave Himself up for us as a sacrifice – as God asked. What path are you being called to follow? Let’s review this as a disciple’s response to this teaching.
Review
Do you see yourself as dearly loved by God? Are you following God’s example? Are you walking in the way of love? Do you see your life producing a fragrant offering?
Repent if Necessary
Repent of any bad odors your life has been generating by sinful and unloving attitudes, actions or words. Repent of walking in your own way rather than His.
Return as Necessary
This is the prayer prompt for the day: Ask God to bathe you in the river of His forgiving grace, to clothe you anew in the robe of Jesus’ righteousness and to show you once again how to walk in His ways.
(quote from AJ Swoboda) The Sabbath has largely been forgotten by the church, which has uncritically mimicked the rhythms of the industrial and success-obsessed West. The result? Our road-weary, exhausted churches have largely failed to integrate Sabbath into their lives as vital elements of Christian discipleship. It is not as though we do not love God – we love God deeply. We just do not know how to sit with God anymore.
~ J.M. Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, p. 152