Memorize & Ponder for Sunday Aug 17, 2014
What it means to be saved by Jesus, the Christ: Be Holy
1 Peter 1:13&15 (NRSV)
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves;
set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you
when he is revealed. …
… as he who called you is holy,
be holy yourselves in all your conduct;
for it is written,
“You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Throughout 2014, the Christian community at Brentwood Presbyterian Church is getting to know Jesus, the Christ, in a refreshing and transformative way. We invite you to listen for what the Spirit is saying in the text, then question how those insights might change the ways you see things and act in the world. Share your thoughts during the week on the meaning the Spirit creates for you in this text by posting a comment here.
A Provocative Pondering
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us provoke one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together … (Hebrews 10:23-25a)
There have been times in the history of Christianity when the focus of our thinking about salvation has been on what we are saved from. It has focused on sin – what we are doing wrong. It has focused on our problems – what we want to be freed from. It has focused on the negative – what’s wrong with us.
While these are important issues in living a flourishing life in companionship with Jesus, the Christ, I don’t think they should be our staring point in thinking about salvation.
Rather, I think we should focus on what God is saving us for.
This way, we have a positive focus for our thoughts about salvation. We focus on God’s desire, God’s wishes, for our companionship. What does life look like if we choose to take up God’s offer of an intimate friendship? What does life look like if we choose to take up God’s offer of salvation? Sin, problems, and negativity are then seen as things that interfere with our flourishing. They are serious, but they do not set the agenda or define reality for us. God’s grace does.
The text from Peter this week says salvation has to do with being holy. What does that mean for you? Give it some thought this week and we’ll explore the theme further next Sunday. Remember that you can start a conversation about this question on our website at brentwoodpc.ca.
Join us in our study groups and worship services to ponder together what the Spirit is teaching us through this text.