August 6, 2016
1 Timothy 4:7-10
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Quote of the Week
Always remember your purpose, for time lost never returns. Care and diligence yield good character. Grow careless only to find trouble. Give yourself with enthusiasm to much peace, a lighter load (by God’s grace), the love of Christian character.
The fervent diligent person finds his or herself prepared for anything. Another truth: Battling against vices and passions is harder than any physical labor. Still another spiritual law: Conquer your smaller faults so you will not fall into greater ones. And something about day’s end: To spend the day profitably means to spend the evening happily. Finally, the more you discipline yourself, the greater your progress in spirituality.
(Excerpt from The Imitation of Christ, By Thomas A’Kempis (translation by Don Demaray). Book I Chapter 25. “Zealously amend your life.” p. 46)
Note to Readers. For the next season of Saturdays ahead I will be sharing excerpts from this book, one of the most significant writings in Christian history, and likely the second best selling book of all time next to the Bible itself.
DO THE 8.6.16 SIXTH DAY EXERCISE HERE.
In case you are just joining us, each week we share in an exercise called “The Sixth Day Exercise.” As Genesis 1 has it, God created human beings in his own image on the sixth day. Genesis 3 shows us the desecration of the image of God in our race which has only compounded itself across the centuries. It’s why the Image Bearer himself, Jesus Christ, came. His life, death, resurrection and ascension reversed the curse of sin and death and created a pathway whereby our broken race could be made gloriously whole again; restored to the Creator’s intent. Paul put it this way:
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22.
Given we were made on the Sixth Day, it makes sense that we might stop and assess how it’s going on the long journey of being “remade” on each successive sixth day.
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J.D. Walt serves as Seedbed’s Sower in Chief. jd.walt@seedbed.com.