|
Scripture
24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh (i.e. old self) with its passions and desires.
25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
*Galatians 5.24-26 (ESV)
Comments
Emily Dickinson wrote, "Instead of getting to heaven at last/I am going all along." The Galatians scripture has "walk" for following Jesus.
The Holy Spirit energizes this walk. The same Divine Liveliness that baptizes us in Christ keeps confirming us in the same Christ.
To live going to heaven all along, as Dickinson writes, is a summons to a practical, earthy discipleship.
Heaven presently is a state of the heart. Today we can live, or walk, in that state. We can transform places we work, our homes, our communities, and, yes, our churches by living from the Spirit that makes earthy life as exciting as any prospect of an after-death abode.
Indeed, how could we ever be ready for the mystery of Life after death unless we enjoy that mystery before death?
|
|
The Triune God calls us to a zesty embrace of this world. Worldliness is not the love of this world in itself; worldliness is loving this world for all the wrong reasons.
Godliness calls us to love God through loving this world, as St. Augustine taught, and walk within it through divine inspiration.
We can live together in this heavenly heartfulness. We will grow more humble, refrain from provoking each other, and we will rejoice over the blessings of others, rather than envying them. The desires of the new self will enrich us with a life of love, joy, and peace.
Suggested Reflection
What does it me to you to live going to heaven all along?
See next page for details on OneLife Ministries, Brian's book An Ache for Union, and material pertaining to sources used in the writing.
Feel free to submit a query on how OneLife Ministries can better serve you. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
Continued... |
