Daily Reading: 9-6-16
1 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The truth of the gospel is that Jesus was both divine and human, so we could know salvation. It’s a mystery that can cause people to doubt and stumble. However, because of Jesus, we can enjoy a divine relationship with God while our human nature is being made holy by the Spirit. If you think about it, you will realize it is an indescribable gift. Jesus lived in perfect harmony with Father God. We can do the same, because Jesus is Truth and Christ lives in us.
Division is always trying to pop up in the faith community to send the teaching of God’s love off course. Satan lies to our human side; we have to forbid him access to our thoughts. As well, we need to be able to identify when others are lying as instruments of Satan’s deception. We must turn our spiritual ear toward the Truth (the Spirit bears witness) so we can keep growing in the unity of faith that is modeled by Christ.
1 Timothy 3:14-4:5 The Mystery of Our Religion
14 I hope to visit you soon. But I am writing these instructions, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how everyone who belongs to God’s family ought to behave. After all, the church of the living God is the strong foundation of truth.
16 Here is the great mystery of our religion:
Christ came as a human.
The Spirit proved
that he pleased God,
and he was seen by angels.
Christ was preached
to the nations.
People in this world
put their faith in him,
and he was taken up to glory.
People Will Turn from Their Faith
4 God’s Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons. 2 They will also be fooled by the false claims of liars whose consciences have lost all feeling.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the Truth that sets me free from sin and death. Continue to help me slam the door on the enemy who seeks to rob, steel and destroy. I choose to live in the abundant life you offer Jesus! In Jesus’ name. Amen.