Following the light of life
Daily
Jude 1:17-25 (NLT)
17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. 20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. 22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
Good morning!
I’ve been known to arm-wrestle a couple of Christmas trees in my life. One Christmas seems to stand out, when I did pulled out every trick I knew to get an OLD artificial tree to stand for just one more Advent season. It kept falling over even after I tried several different tree stands. I was determined to find a way to make it last. I ended up tying the top of the tree to the ceiling and hiding my tether with a great big star. It was not a happy moment. I remember doing a lot of muttering that year. This tree must have fallen at least once a week throughout the holidays. It got tossed on December 26th.
This year, we’ve encountered a little “light situation” with our tree. After giving up on that invalid Tannenbaum, we purchased an “Everlast” pre-lit tree at the after-Christmas sale. I looked forward to setting the tree up the following year. It came with a lifetime warranty, guaranteeing its stability and reliability. If you ever see those two words together in a warranty, buyer beware! The only stable and reliable One I know is the One who died for me.
We began to lose our guaranteed pre-lit lights during the last holiday season. Obviously, twinkle lights have a lot shorter life span than I do. I thought maybe I had simply wired the tree incorrectly. Electrical plugs only seem to work well when connected in a certain order, and I confess, I have been known to struggle with order occasionally. This year, I realized these pre-lit tree lights only worked at the very top and bottom of its branches. I didn’t let this little issue ruin my tree trimming fun. I simply added some lights to the middle of the tree, and it looked absolutely beautiful, that is, until the pre-lit lights went out this weekend at the very top and bottom of the tree. My tree looks a little sad, and now, I find myself wondering just two days before Christmas whether I should take it apart and begin again. Aren’t the holidays fun? Lord, have mercy.
Have you ever noticed how some things can look really good at first, and then, after a little observation, begin to fade with time? If we listen carefully to the words of our brother Jude, he makes an important point for all of us to hear. There are some who, at first sight, appear to be following Jesus Christ, the light of life. Somehow, in their journey, they lose sight of the Lord, and begin focusing on their own little light, instead of His. Just like our pre-lit Christmas tree that comes with a “lifetime guarantee,” those who bear false light begin to burn out prematurely. People become dismayed and wonder whether they can ever know the Way, the Truth and the Life. When a brother or sister’s faith begins to waiver, Jude reminds us that we are to be merciful. We are exercise caution, remembering to love the sinner, while hating the sin. Whenever we take our eyes off the true Light of Life and focus our hearts on what is temporary, we risk losing our souls in the dark.
Maybe someone you know is struggling to find the one true light. We can count on His everlasting light, not only for this world, but in the world to come. He is the only light worth finding and following. Mercy is the word of the day.
Lord, teach us how to be merciful with the ones who have lost sight of Your light. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC -
Pray for: the light of life to be your light – the only One who will not fade with time. Help us to share Christ’s light with the world, this Christmas. He is the only guarantee that will stand the test of time. Show a little mercy to those who have lost their way.
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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