Thursday, October 27, 2005

Good Morning! 

 

Unit 26, Going on to Perfection

 

Focus Scripture for the Week:  

 

1 Timothy 6:11-12

 

But as for you . . . pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called.

 

Today's Scriptures:   1 John 2:1-6

 

Today's Discussion: 

 

-- quick note this morning - running behind.

 

-- a very short and to the point scripture that I don't remember reading before.  I think that the takeaway from this scripture, in the context of our unit, is the idea that "going on to perfection" isn't an optional track for Christians.  It is what we are called to do.   As the Wesley passages talk about -- Christians start every day with the twin commands to love God and to love others.  There are a lot of things that flow out of those commands, but this is the gist of it.  As John writes, (and he doesn't mince any words) someone who calls themself a Christian, and then doesn't follow those two commands (and all that falls out of those) is a liar.   

 

So, going on to perfection isn't really just a Methodist thing -- it is the Methodist name for the path that every Christian should be taking.  I haven't seen a translation of the Bible yet that has Jesus saying "If I were you -- not that I'm telling you what to do or anything -- my suggestion is that you should try loving God and one another."  Jesus (and John in today's passage) are bit more direct than that.

Question for Sunday:

 

-- think about the complete strangers you cross paths with in some way everyday -- in your interactions with them, would they think you are a Christian?

 

Today's prayer request:   Jay's brother and fiance

 

-- my brother Buster is getting married tomorrow in Las Vegas -- for the fifth time.  I would pray that this marriage work out better for him and his new wife-to-be Tracy than his previous marriages have. 

 

Today's class member prayer: 

 

Matt Rocksvold

 

Have a great day.

 

Jay