29th. October. 2020. Daily Devotion.
Is Christ Divided?
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ~ 1 Cor. 1:13
Some challenging thoughts about Christian unity.
Paul uses rhetorical questions, because he considered any answer other than “no” ridiculous. Yet so many people seem to miss his point let us rephrase him in the declarative. “Christ is not divided.”
Christian people have divided themselves into sects and denominations, all of which claim the status that Paul reviles for any person—himself included. How thoughtlessly we divide ourselves. “I am an Episcopalian.” “I am Catholic,” “I am an Evangelical Christian,” “I am a” — well, enough of that. We are followers of Christ and Christ only. “Christian” is a term that cannot be modified. Stated plainly: If you consider yourself a Presbyterian, in a primary sense, you are violating a Biblical commandment. You are a Christian. You worship at a “Presbyterian” church. If you consider that worshipping at a Presbyterian church makes you different, in the eyes of God, than a person who worships at a Coptic church in Ethiopia, then you are holding a fundamentally misguided thought about Christianity, and Paul intended this Scripture for you.
What did Christ have to tell us about leaders in His church? “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher (or Leader), the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.” (Matthew 23:8-10.)
Lord, let me always remember that Christ is the sole source of my salvation. Amen.
Prayer of Clement of Rome Translated from a letter, 96 A.D.
You, Lord, through your works have revealed the everlasting structure of the world. You, Lord, created the earth. You are faithful throughout all generations, righteous in your judgments, marvellous in strength and majesty, wise in creating and prudent in establishing what exists, good in all that is observed and faithful to those who trust in you, merciful and compassionate; forgive me my sins and my injustices, my transgressions and my shortcomings.
Do not take into account every sin of your servant, but cleanse me with the cleansing of your truth, and direct my steps to walk in holiness and righteousness and purity of heart, and to do what is good and pleasing in your sight and in the sight of my rulers. Yes, Lord, let your face shine upon all your servants in peace for our good, that we may be sheltered by your mighty hand and delivered from every sin by your uplifted arm; deliver us as well from those who hate us unjustly.
Give harmony and peace to me and to all who dwell on the earth, just as you did to our fathers when they reverently called upon you in faith and trust, that we may be saved, while we render obedience to your almighty and most excellent name, and give harmony and peace to our rulers and governors on earth. Amen.
Coronavirus Prayer
God our Creator, who calls the stars by name and sets the fireflies dancing, who makes the mountains burst into song and emboldens the purple crocus pushing up through the snow, we pause to give deep thanks for the beauty which surrounds us always and for the promise that life goes on.
Set in our hearts a hope more resilient than the coronavirus and assure us of your power to bring good even out of the most formidable diseases.
God of healing and hope, we pray that you would cool the fevered brow of the sick and speak of love stronger than death to those who lay dying. Give healing compassion to all who care for the sick and encourage those facing isolation with your peace-giving presence.
We pray that coronavirus would move us to reflect upon our responsibility, individually and together, in caring for creation. Let your righteous anger spur us to make the long-overdue changes, so that all of creation might have room to breathe.
Rein in fear, we pray, before it becomes contagious, and nurture trust to form the basis of our dealings with one another. Let the tireless efforts of those on the frontiers of research lead to new and effective treatments, and guide those in positions of power by principles of truth and integrity.
God of tender mercies, we ask humbly that the painful awareness of our own vulnerability lead not to greater fear, but to deeper faith – a faith that nothing in all of creation can separate us from your love – neither today, nor tomorrow. Amen. ~Jeffrey Myers, Presbyterian Minister in Frankfurt, Germany.
