Lent 2009 #13

John 12:36-37,42-43 

36 "While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. 37 Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. 42 Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.

THOUGHTS:

Do we love human glory more than the glory that comes from God?  I expect we all struggle with this a little.  

Someone says they "like" your Facebook note, status, picture, etc....

You sink a sweet 3-pointer in a game of pick-up basketball and your team gives you a high-five...

You get a bunch of compliments about how you are dressed...

You finish a concert and receive a boisterous round of applause...

You get some raving comments on your blog...

Your name is called for an award and every eye in the room turns to you...

These things give you a boost -- an odd burst of pride -- it makes you feel good!  And then it fades.

I'm not saying to avoid compliments or applause.  We all occasionally do things that others appreciate, and it's great when people share their appreciation with others!  The issue is when we spend our time and energy fishing for compliments, seeking adoration, or hungering for applause.  

Love of human glory is about allowing other people to determine our value and worth in the world.  When we focus on our own gratification, then we lose sight of the glory of God.

The point: Have you ever been embarrassed to share your faith?  Do you worry that if people know what you believe, then they'll lose respect for you?  Have you let human opinions control you ... even when you think God may be calling you down a different path?  (I know I have!)

Take some time today to think about whether you love human glory more than the glory that comes from God ...

 

PRAYER:

God, thank you for loving us as we are.  We are sorry for the times that we allow ourselves to be controlled by our hunger of glory from others.  We humbly offer ourselves to your service.  For the sake of your son Jesus the Christ. AMEN.

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These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University .  Feel free to share them with your friends!  For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran  

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Lent 2009 #8

Romans 3:21-28 

21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. 

     27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

THOUGHTS:

What becomes of boasting, bragging, arrogance, pride, and showing off?  It is excluded.  Why?

Well, what could we possibly have to brag about?  We aren't perfect.  We all screw up sometimes.  Yet we've been redeemed in the suffering death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.  We don't get any of the credit for receiving this free gift, because we didn't have to do anything to get it!  God sees us as righteous because we have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

What do you do with this amazing gift?

PRAYER:

O Lord, thank you for clothing is with righteousness we could never earn.  Help us to live lives of thankfulness, that we might always remember that all we have is yours.  For the sake of Jesus the Christ, AMEN.

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Last call: YOU still have the opportunity to leave the cold behind by joining our spring break mission trip to Jacksonville, Florida.  For info/application: http://gmu747.org/spbr09.php

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These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University.  Feel free to share them with your friends!  For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran  

You can subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com