Day 30: More than words
15 March, Day 30: John 5: 31-47
To be honest, I feel like I have hit a saturation point with my daily reading of the Bible and writing after reflecting on its meaning, because at the bottom line, it is clear that we are all called to be ... well, saints! But, how far removed are most of us from the perfection demanded by the teachings of Jesus :s
I am beginning to realise that there is only that much one can achieve by reading and interpreting. It can be hugely mentally satisfying of course. But, it may not be related to faith at all. This can easily turn into just another intellectual exercise, not that there's anything wrong with that.
What's the point of reading any book, and especially a "holy" book if you don't allow it to influence your life or cause you to act differently. I suppose that takes real, true faith - a rarity for most?
Today's verse is from John 5:31-47:
“The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”
Thoughts: On repeated readings of this verse, Jesus correctly points to our tendency to listen to the voice of others, but not God himself. He says that people don't really love God, for if they did, they would've realised it and accepted him. We even look to our Holy Books for salvation, but don't really come to God despite it being about God.
Jesus says the only way to realise that he indeed is God, is through his actions. He means that the work that he is doing is God's work. His actions speak on his behalf, and this is on the basis on which people should believe that he is sent from God.
Takeaway: We are each one of us called to be a witness to the truth and be Christ-like in our every day dealings. We are called to choose the 'good path' in every action of ours.
To be honest, I feel like I have hit a saturation point with my daily reading of the Bible and writing after reflecting on its meaning, because at the bottom line, it is clear that we are all called to be ... well, saints! But, how far removed are most of us from the perfection demanded by the teachings of Jesus :s
I am beginning to realise that there is only that much one can achieve by reading and interpreting. It can be hugely mentally satisfying of course. But, it may not be related to faith at all. This can easily turn into just another intellectual exercise, not that there's anything wrong with that.
What's the point of reading any book, and especially a "holy" book if you don't allow it to influence your life or cause you to act differently. I suppose that takes real, true faith - a rarity for most?
Today's verse is from John 5:31-47:
“The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”
Thoughts: On repeated readings of this verse, Jesus correctly points to our tendency to listen to the voice of others, but not God himself. He says that people don't really love God, for if they did, they would've realised it and accepted him. We even look to our Holy Books for salvation, but don't really come to God despite it being about God.
Jesus says the only way to realise that he indeed is God, is through his actions. He means that the work that he is doing is God's work. His actions speak on his behalf, and this is on the basis on which people should believe that he is sent from God.
Takeaway: We are each one of us called to be a witness to the truth and be Christ-like in our every day dealings. We are called to choose the 'good path' in every action of ours.
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