Scripture:
Romans 13:8-14
Fri, 23 September 2022

Look Like the Christ We Proclaim

Observation:

What did the Apostle Paul teach here about the Christian duty to love and manner of living?

Deeper Reflection
IN THE CHURCH TODAY, WE HAVE A GAPING GAP OF credibility in the lives of many who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ. In his final public engagement, the late Reverend Dr John Stott spoke incisively about this major problem:33

“Why is it, you must have asked, as I have, that in many situations our evangelistic efforts are often fraught with failure?…one main reason is that we don’t look like the Christ we are proclaiming.”…John Poulton, who has written  about this in a perceptive little book entitled A Today Sort of evangelism, wrote: “The most effective preaching comes from those who embody the things they are saying. They are their message. Christians need to look like what they are talking about. It is people who communicate primarily, not words or ideas. Authenticity gets across. Deep down inside people, what communicates now is basically personal authenticity.

The Apostle Paul is concerned about Christians’ personal authenticity. Christians must love as Jesus exemplified and commanded. We must love each other and our neighbours and do them no wrong. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” – be Christlike! – “and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (v.14)! Do not allow carnality to take root in our hearts and bear bad fruit in our lives. Frequently examine ourselves before God and correct ourselves with His Spirit’s help. Otherwise, by the habitual repetition of ungodly attitudes, unkind words and unloving actions, we will cultivate34 lots of bad fruit that soon rot and stink. Our stench will turn people away from the Gospel that we try to share with them.
33 Reported in an article by Christianity Today: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/john.stott.concludes.public.ministry. be.more.like.jesus.christ/11717.htm (emphasis added). 34 With liberal application of worldly “fertilisers” derived from popular culture!
Application:

How can I be more Christlike and love people with Christ’s love?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: That they will grow in Christlikeness and love people with Christ’s love
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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