March 9, 2019
John 12:27-36 New Living Translation (NLT)
Today is the fourth day of our 40-Day Lenten Series, “Praying for a Kingdom Heart.” Lent should be a time of prayerful reflection, repentance, and restoration as we draw closer to the heart of God. A Kingdom heart is fashioned by a deep respect and gratitude for our Creator. God is Light and in him is no darkness. Christ is the Light we all need to fulfill the Father’s purpose; so we must connect to Christ. God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of his Son (Colossians 1:13). Therefore, we must also follow Christ. Be aware, we do not habitually practice what the Word calls sin; otherwise, we are living in the dominion of darkness.
If we are truly following Christ, we are living a life of continual confession of sin; even as children of the Light we still sin and need forgiveness. Selfishness and worldliness can gain the upper hand if we open the door with our flesh. Walking in the Light is walking in fellowship with God and loving others especially fellow believers. The Spirit of Truth convicts us when we have failed to love as God requires and our response should be repentance. If we confess our sin, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). True Christianity is about partaking of the ongoing cleansing blood of Jesus, as we recenter our hearts before him according to his Word.
In our passage, Jesus accepts the pain God allows to his flesh in order to fulfill the Father’s purpose. Many days we just want to handle the next task, seek fleshly pleasure, and certainly avoid pain to our flesh at all costs. When God cleanses us—does sin surgery—it is painful for a while, but it leaves room for Kingdom rewards. Therefore, the question before us today in light of this Word… “Will we invite the Light of the World to shine Truth upon any sin in our flesh, repent, and allow God to cleanse us, so we can continue our journey to become authentic children of Light?
During Lent, we will be using the acronym P.R.A.Y. as we pray for a Kingdom Heart. P=praise, R=repent, A=ask, and Y=yield. May God bless you as you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer today.