NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

Day 272 – More urgent warnings

Having a Heart in a Sometimes Heartless World

Scripture focus: Jesus continues…”But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I’m speaking to you this way so that you will be saved.” John 5: 34 The Message

In an election year, it’s nice to find one voice that isn’t out to win our vote! But Jesus is speaking with a tone of urgency. He goes on to offer even a stronger warning as he concludes this section of chapter 5 with these words: “The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.”

Remember, these were people who were attracted to John the Baptist. They had a form of spirituality. They weren’t discounting the existence of God so much as they were minimizing the seriousness with which they took Him. He came with a message, and they gave Him a nod of acknowledgement but refused to bow before him.

When we hear God’s word, but walk away and forget what he said, it’s as if nothing is left in our memory of his message. I don’t mean to be Debbie Downer here, but come on! God speaks to us so that we might be saved! These aren’t mere recommendations or helpful suggestions. These aren’t pithy phrases or options for living. We’re not choosing between bagels and donuts, or eggs and cereal for breakfast!

We’re choosing: its life or death.

We’re choosing: its light or darkness.

We’re choosing: its freedom or bondage.

We’re choosing: its saving or losing.

We’re choosing: its the abundant life or a life characterized by killing, stealing and destroying.

It’s my prayer that we will continue to ask ourselves the hard questions – are we following the Master, or asking him to bless our personal agendas?

Recommended reading: Isaiah 58 and 59 in the morning; Ephesians 5 and Philippians 1 in the evening

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