Reflecting
God – Embrace Holy Living - “Wise and Innocent” – Sunday, 23 March 2014 - Scripture:
Romans 16: 17 Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the
divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you
learned, and turn away from them. 18 For those who are such don’t serve our
Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering
speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent. 19 For your obedience has
become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you
wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil. 20 And the God
of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you.
21
Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my
relatives. 22 I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord. 23
Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the
treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother. 24 The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen. 25 [a]
Footnotes:
a. Romans
16:25 TR places Romans 14:24-26 at the end of Romans instead of at the end of
chapter 14, and numbers these verses 16:25-27.
“Wise
and Innocent” by Judith A. Schwanz
The
information technology department of a Christian college undertook some routine
computer system updates. In the process, someone discovered that one of the
behavioral science professors had accessed multiple pornography sites on his
school-issued laptop. When confronted, he protested that he wasn’t using the
materials for his own enjoyment, but was doing research on the issue of
pornography. He maintained that in order to understand sexual addictions, he
needed to actually view the websites himself. The administration rejected his
line of thinking and excuses; he faced disciplinary measures and was ordered to
stop this online exploration.
We
don’t need to know all about sin in order to avoid it, or to help others resist
temptation. As the children’s song cautions us “Be careful little eyes what you
see. Be careful little ears what you hear.” Rather than cluttering our minds
with knowledge about evil, we would do well to focus on that which is pure and
good. Filling our minds with the pursuit of wisdom will teach us how to avoid
sin. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to focus our attention on what is right,
true, and admirable–this is wisdom about what is good.
Hymn
for Today:
“I Want
To Be Like Jesus by Thomas O. Chisholm copyright 1945, Renewed 1973 by Lillenas
Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
1. I
have one deep, supreme desire -
That I
may be like Jesus.
To this
I fervently aspire -
That I
may be like Jesus.
I want
my heart His throne to be,
So that
a watching world may see
His
likeness shining forth in me.
I want
to be like Jesus.
2. He
spent His life in doing good;
I want
to be like Jesus.
In
lowly paths of service trod;
I want
to be like Jesus.
He
sympathized with hearts distressed,
He
spoke the words that cheered and blessed,
He
welcomed sinners to His breast,
I want
to be like Jesus.
3. A
holy, harmless life He led;
I want
to be like Jesus.
The
Father’s will - His drink and bread;
I want
to be like Jesus.
And
when at last He comes to die,
“Forgive
them, Father,” hear Him cry
For
those who taunt and crucify.
I want
to be like Jesus.
4. Oh,
perfect life of Christ, my Lord!
I want
to be like Jesus.
My
recompense and my reward -
That I
may be like Jesus.
His
Spirit fill my hung’ring soul,
His
power all my life control.
My
deepest prayer, my highest goal -
That I may
be like Jesus.
Thought
for Today:
“Finally,
brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever
things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever
things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise,
think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8).
Prayer
Needs:
Developing
Christian leaders in Vanuaru!
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holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
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