Dear SCC & Friends,
…Faith delivered once and for all… ~Jude 1:3
Reflection #263
Faith is like radar which sees through the fog–the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see. ~Corrie Ten Boom~ Faith can be both a noun and verb. As a noun, faith refers to “the faith” which once for all was delivered to the saints. ~Jude 1:3 It is a historic record and recognition of events and traditions that have gone before us. In essence, the faith is the Lord’s ongoing work from generation to generation…Our faith is not just a personal experience but an integrated life rooted in shared commitment, relying on the truth of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone in our faith, yet alone He called us to Himself… Alone we heard… “Come, follow me” ~Matt. 4:17 and it is now together that we follow. We have much to be grateful for those who have gone before us. Their lives exemplified truth in tension… Let him who cannot be alone beware of community” and “Let him who is not in community beware of being alone.” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer~
When I came to Christ, I didn’t realize I was committing to a variety of “people and personality types” that He loved. I received Jesus because He loved me, forgave my sins and set me on a path of life and purpose. I must confess how hard it is at times to love what He loves… Let’s be honest… some people can really get “under our skin…” Others are not pleasant to be with… the ungrateful, legalistic and complaining types… lest we forget the difficulty of being around the arrogant and entitled types, the “know-it-alls”…Oops… What about you and me? Do we fit into the category of being difficult? Regardless, easy or hard, we are to Let the love of the brethren continue. ~Heb. 13:1 Jesus repeatedly emphasized His command that we love one another, which requires faith working through love. ~Gal. 5:6 …That is the faith handed down once and for all… By this all men will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another. ~John 13:35 We were made for these days… Keep up the good work!
Faith working through love,
Kevin