Thoughts for the Day

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

(New Revised Standard Version)

*The shell image is the sign of a pilgrim, and often found on pilgrimage trails.

Thoughts

This list of the marks of a true Christian from Paul's letter to the Romans depresses me! If I were to put ticks or crosses by each characteristic I know which list would be the longest, and while I'm trying to get better at one or two of them, then one or two others will slip. Do you feel like me about these marks of a true Christian? And if so, what can we do about it?

Well here's the list again:

1. Let love be genuine.
2. Hate what is evil.
3. Hold fast to what is good.
4. Love one another.
5. Outdo one another in showing honour.
6. Do not lag in zeal.
7. Be ardent in spirit.
8. Serve the Lord.
9. Rejoice in hope.
10. Be patient in suffering.
11. Persevere in prayer.
12. Contribute to the needs of the saints (that is other Christians)
13. Extend hospitality to strangers (cross this off for now!)
14. Bless those who persecute you.
15. Rejoice with those who rejoice.
16. Weep with those who weep,
17. Live in harmony with one another.
18. Do not be haughty.
19. Associate with the lowly.
20. Do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Well how about we all look at the list today, tick any we feel are our strongest points, and take two or three to work on this week? Oh yes, and don't get depressed - offer the hard ones to God, as well as those you are working on! He will help. You are not on your own!

Monday 1st June, follow up thoughts

Heavenly Father,
St Paul teaches us how to live and work together,
loving one another and building each other up.
At this time of crisis teach us to persevere in prayer,
to be patient in suffering,
and constant in hope.
Amen.