[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Thursday January 4, 2007

[Barry Ludwig]

Thursday January 4, 2007

The Devotions this week are prepared by Pastor Ludwig As we begin a new
year, let's look at what God's word has to say about the idea of newness
from a faith perspective.

 

John 13: 34-35 (RSV)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I  have
loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that
you are my disciples, if you have love  for one another."  

 

I was ten years old and had been joyfully tormenting my brother (who was 7
years older than me) when he began to chase me down with threats of
destruction. I knew I had only seconds before I was done-for so in an act of
desperation I spun around and shouted my latest Sunday School memory verse
at him, "I give you a new commandment..love one another!"  It was no use, I
wound up on the ground under his varsity football body. 

 

This scripture text is not an incantation that will protect you against
avenging brothers but these words of Jesus do change everything. Under the
rules of everyday life we are taught that you must grab for yourself and do
unto others before they do unto you. Jesus, by his own example, has taught
us a new way to live. Rather than focus upon his own needs and his own
desires, Jesus needed to set us free from guilt and shame. Rather than
desire his own well-being, Jesus gave up his life that we might be well. It
is a new way to live, a new way to find peace and joy.

How can you let Jesus' new commandment change the way you do things in 2007?

 

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