​Week 22, Day 4-5, Week 23, Days 1-2

​Week 22, Day 4-5, Week 23, Days 1-2
June 2-7
Scripture: Romans 13-16
 
 
I’m playing a lot of catch up here. I was able to get away with fellow ministers for a retreat. That meant that I was on the road for a while and also had limited internet. So, here’s my simple encouragement from the rest of Romans.
 
Everything is sacred. The way we conduct ourselves with our neighbors, the way we respond to the government, the way we treat our fellow believers, the way we treat outsiders, how we work, how we function as citizens….all aspects of our life are to point to how Jesus has shaped our lives and renewed each of us. We live a new life in Christ.
 
The great theologian Martin Luther spoke of a dichotomy of faith. That there was the secular self and the sacred self. There’s a church self and a world self. This is, of course, an oversimplification of Luther. But Paul argues here, I think, for the opposite. Everything is sacred. There’s not two halves, but one whole, and it is Christ in you. How we relate to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, enemies, everything we do, we do it for and in the Lord. Our hearts, minds, soul, and strength are all given to God.
 
This is a daunting task, to bend our hearts, minds, wills towards Christ and his kingdom. It’s in every aspect of our lives, even in what we eat and don’t eat, what days we celebrate and what days we don’t. All have a way of pointing to Christ. There is freedom in Christ and the point is that our consciouses would be focused on honoring Christ. 
 
Here’s Paul’s great hope:
 
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
 
May your life be an overflow of hope. Overflowing into your home, into work, towards your neighbors, towards one another and on and on it goes. May God’s grace, hope, and love spill over into every aspect of our lives.