4 You unfaithful people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy. 5 Or do you suppose that scripture is meaningless? Doesn’t God long for our faithfulness in[a] the life he has given to us?[b]6 But he gives us more grace. This is why it says, God stands against the proud, but favors the humble.[c]7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Reflection
This morning at church, I was watching the children and their parents come forward for Children’s time. Some children were carried by the parents, or they held their parents hands while they took unsteady steps forward. Others ran right to our Youth leader to sit at her feet. Some children came, but were unsure, so their parents stood by to lend a reassuring presence. Lastly, other children came forward, bringing other children with them to hear the story.
This beautiful scene at Children’s time reminded me of my own spiritual journey in Christ. How often at the beginning of my faith journey have I been carried, guided and encouraged? God’s divine presence has been with me on my faith journey every step of the way. For all of us, God’s Spirit is within us at work transforming us to love God and love others, to serve and become more like Jesus, until finally we can bring others along with us on the faith journey too.
John Wesley, in the second of his General Rules says that we are to do good “of every possible sort.” First, to do good to others by feeding the hungry, giving clothes to those in need, visiting the sick and those in prison. But we are also to care for their souls, by doing good to others by teaching, and encouraging others in the faith, while setting an example by following Jesus.
But how can we do good in a world that despises the way of servanthood and love and extols the way of self interest and personal gain? By humbling ourselves before God and admitting that our human ego and pride get in the way of our doing good, God will give us more grace to persevere in a life of serving and loving others. As we draw near to God, God will come near to us. God longs for our faithfulness and to be in relationship with us, to transform our hearts and our lives, to make disciples for the transformation the world.
by Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering and Prayer
Doing good without thought of self interest occurs when we draw near to God. When we follow Jesus, God supplies us with the grace to do good and to be the hands and feet of Jesus at work in the world. Let’s take some time today to draw near to God, to be humble, and to ask God to help us to selflessly love others like Jesus.
Prayer: Holy and Loving God, we want to good, but our self interest gets in the way. Forgive us, and help us to draw close to you so that we can love and serve others as Jesus loves us. Amen.
