Entry A - Lectio Divina
Exercise: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)
But
mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers
of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their
parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without
self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but
denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
In his second letter to Timothy,
Paul describes people in the last days with a long list of worldly fruit as
their characteristics. He mentions all sorts of sins such as selfishness,
pride, greed, love for money, and et cetera. As I read, I felt literally
nothing, as I was very familiar with these bad things. However, when I reached the verse 5, which says,
"having a form of godliness but denying its power", I realized that
Paul was talking about Christians in the last days, not people living in
darkness. Then I read the passage once
again as though I was looking at a mirror. The Spirit convicted me for taking
part to some degree in pretty much every attribute of ungodliness. Most significantly, I felt striking
conviction with Verse five. I believe I
am a Christian and all my friends recognize that. I do what a good Christian does and I tend to
do more than average believers do. I
don't use foul language and I try to live a moral life. I have "a form of
godliness". But to be brutally
honest, I am not sure if I really
believe in the regenerating and sanctifying power of God. I must confess that I have been trying hard
to achieve godliness. And it seemed to
be working just fine. I have prayed as
much as I can, I have read the Bible everyday, and I have shared my faith with
others. But do I really believe in the power of God?
First of all, I have been confused
with the idea that God influences our determination to be devoted to Him. Thus,
the actions derived from my determination are inherently genuine regardless of
my feelings. I thought God's sovereignty played its role in affecting my
decision to spiritual rituals. However,
by the grace of God, He exposed and rebuked my unbelief about His power that
changes me and enables me to bear heavenly fruit through this Scripture. I
believed His power with my mind. I knew
that God is almighty and created the universe.
But I did not believe wholeheartedly that God could change me to be more
like Christ after granting me eternal salvation. He not only revealed my hidden motives, but
also helped me realize my lack of daily reliance and trust in Him by showing
the miserable growth of my character and faith over the last few years. My
heart broke at this moment. It was not
His fault. It was my denial of His
mighty power that has hindered the work of God in me. Soon thereafter, I became
very fearful about the reality of my spirituality. Maybe I
am one of such people whom Paul told Timothy to avoid. I paused. Then I had
to beg for His mercy and affirmation of my security in Him. Through a long prayer of repentance, God
reassured my faith and His workmanship in my heart. This revelation is actually a clear evidence
of His grace and love for me. From this point on, I desire to do everything
with momentary dependence on the power of God and constant communication with
the Spirit for it is the only way to shine the glory of God and display the
validity of the Gospel through my life.
Entry B - Outside
reading - The person and the work of the Holy Spirit by R.A. Torrey
Chapter
X. The Indwelling Spirit fully and forever satisfying
Jesus
spoke, "Whosoever drink of the water that I shall give him shall never
thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water
springing up into everlasting life."
Torrey depicts the Holy Spirit dwelling in His people as a well of
living water that quenches our spiritual thirst forever. Having this fountain of everlasting life, we
receive not only eternal salvation but also true satisfaction and pleasure that
is boundless and eternally effective. It
enables us to be independent from earthly circumstances. Most importantly, the accessibility of this
incredible source should blow our minds; the Holy Spirit lives in us all the time wherever we go. This lesson
challenges my reliance on earthly activities for any kind of pleasures. I have been relying on fellowship, music,
different means of entertainment, and even worshipful concerts! But guess
what! I do not need to do that anymore.
I do not necessarily need to seek opportunities for acquiring joy and
affirmation. The source of unending joy and perfect satisfaction is actually in
me. I thank God for this amazing gift
and role of the Holy Spirit in whom I find joy and pleasures that this world
cannot offer. Praise the Lord!
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