Scripture: Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Devotion: We dunk people in a big tank of water. We believe it symbolic consumption of the body and blood of Jesus. We believe that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible word of God, breathed by Him. Let’s face it, some of the things that we do as Christians appear weird. On the outside looking in, with no understanding of why we do and believe these things, they seem pretty wild.
These are examples of things that look abnormal to the world that are done by the church as a whole. But in our own personal lives, there will be even more things that will make us look odd to society: peace in the midst of chaos, joy in the midst of pain, prioritizing time with God, and setting aside time in our week to serve or be with our small group. There are countless ways that we are going to look different than “normal.” Sometimes, that gets hard.
It feels like it would be easier to just give in. To allow our schedules to be consumed with our jobs, our productivity around the yard and the house, or with our kids’ activities, rather than structuring our weeks around our quiet time, church, and the things that go with it. It sometimes seems easier to just sit and sulk in the disorder and disarray of the world, rather than looking to our true hope and recognizing that He reigns above it all. That is where it is our job as the body of Christ to encourage one another and build each other up. We need to speak the truth to one another, spurring each other on. We can help each other as we pursue holiness and obedience, even when it looks very different than the world. Because sometimes the world is mean and cruel. It practically taunts you into giving in. But the body of Christ together can fight the good fight and carry each other through. Let’s link arms as we continue our pursuit of being both light and hope in this world.
Reflect:
- How can you encourage a fellow believer in their faith this week?
