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Crosfigell

Preach and Do

If we lived better, would others hear us more readily?

“The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so practice and observe what they tell you – but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”

  - Matthew 23.2, 3

Preach diligently what Christ, the holy one, commands; what you ask of others should be what you yourself do.

  - The Rule of Carthage, Irish, 7th century

It seems pretty clear the unbelieving world has had its fill of Christians who raise their heads to sound off about the “big” moral issues of the day, but whose lives lack the substance of Christ’s love.

“Is it I, Lord?” Yes, alas, too often it is.

We expect the world to get in line with our morality – at least at certain especially offensive points – but, as the world sees us, we don’t live up to the everyday requirements of love and truth in our most basic relationships and roles.

It’s no wonder folks advocating all kinds of “alternative” lifestyles go ballistic when they think we’re trying to tell them what to do. From what they see in us, they merely want an alternative. We would have more credibility with the wicked of this world if we were more consistent in loving all our neighbors, even those whose lifestyles we find offensive.

Certainly we must continue to insist on the truth of the Gospel and the moral reliability of the Biblical way of life.

But if we are to avoid the condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees, we must work harder to live out the Gospel we proclaim, and not expect others to rise to moral heights we ourselves aren’t willing to inhabit.

This all brings us back to the Law of God at some point. Here the Lord’s requirements for what is holy and righteous and good are set forth (Rom. 7.12), so that we can take up the lifestyle of following Jesus, walking in obedience to God’s Law as He did (1 Jn. 2.1-6) and pursuing greatness in His Kingdom (Matt. 5.17-19).

The Law of God encodes the soul for loving relationships, both with God and our neighbor. More meditation in and glad obedience to the Law of God on our parts would put us in a better position to prescribe its absolute requirements to the watching world.

For if we can show them the beauty, grace, and goodness of the Law of God lived, then we might be better able to point them to the One Who has fulfilled that Law, in all its demands, so that through Him we might truly live.

Psalm 19.7, 8 (St. Christopher: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”)
The Law of God is perfect, His testimony sure;
The simple man God’s wisdom learns, the soul receives its cure.
God’s Word is right, and His command is pure, and truth imparts;
He makes our eyes to understand; with joy He fills our hearts.

Teach me, Lord, to dwell in Your Law – not for salvation, but for the sakeof it.

This Week at The Fellowship
We hope you'll visit the website this week and check out some of our recent postings. For a variety of musings on Christian worldview, The Week will stimulate your thinking. Our In the Gates column wraps up its section on the Law and immigration and, later in the week, will take up the question of the Law and life. For a quick introduction to the dimensions of a Christian worldview, watch the 15-minute video on the home page (beneath the "fold"). You can also sign-up for the course, "Spiritual Maturity 1: Revival," and study online on your own or with a Mentory. Or browse our bookstore for some stimulating reading (or Christmas gifts?). And by all means, as often as you can, forward Crosfigell to your friends, and urge them to become part of The Ailbe Community with you. Starting this month we're going to be making a special effort to help you prepare for the New Year by mapping out your Personal Mission Field and acquiring some resources for a lifestyle of ministry. Watch your email over the next month. And tell your friends about this unique ministry of which you are a part.

T. M. Moore, Principal|
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T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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