Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what sort of personsought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God...

  - 2 Peter 3.11, 12

Four teachings for which we should strive, even if we do not fulfill them:
devotion to God,
gentleness to men,
good will to every person,
expecting death each day.

  - Colmán mac Beógnai, Aipgitir Chrábaid, Irish, 7th century[1]

I find it helpful to focus on a few key principles, ideas, or objectives as governing motifs for life. The fewer and simpler the better. I teach a course which I call “One in Twelve” – one worldview represented in twelve diagrams. Everything I know I can teach within that framework.

The four “teachings” that Colmán mentions in his “Alphabet of Devotion” – devotion to God, love for neighbors (“gentleness” and “good will”), and anticipation of the City to Come (“expecting death”) – are excellent candidates for defining life in the Kingdom of God. In my framework of thought, these translate to disciplines, life outcomes, especially love for God and neighbors, and the vision which motivates both of these.

Get a clear and compelling vision of unseen things, pursue that through disciplines for all of life, and love for God and neighbors will flow by the Spirit, like rivers of living water.

But this way of living doesn’t come naturally; we have to strive for it, to work hard at learning, repenting, taking up new attitudes and practices, and building new priorities, practices, and patterns into our everyday lives.

But that sounds like a lot of work. Why should we do it?

First, of course, because this is the way God made us to live. Concerning outcomes, the entirety of the Law of God as well as the prophets boils down to love for God and neighbor (Matt. 22.34-40).

With respect to vision, Paul says that, since we have been seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2.6), we need to set our minds there (Col. 3.1-3).

Peter adds a little more color and urgency to the situation: Everything is shortly going to be destroyed and then we will face God. We ought to strive (disciplines) to make sure that we’re ready at all times to meet Him and that, when we do meet Him, as John says we will, it will be with a righteousness that is daily approaching what we will possess when finally we see Jesus face to face (1 Jn. 3.1-3).

But sadly, some of those who call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ don’t strive for such things. Some believers treat salvation – coming to faith in Jesus – as the end point of redemption rather than the beginning.

If we believe that “being saved” means that we’re ready by faith to go to heaven when we die, and nothing more, then it’s quite possible we’re not saved at all. Those who are truly saved know they have such a great salvation (vision) that they’ll never gain the whole of it in this life (Heb. 2.1-3). Salvation is unto good works (outcomes) – love for God and neighbor – and must be worked out day by day (disciplines) in the Spirit and Word of God.

Is this your approach to and experience of salvation? Or are you just kidding yourself?

We will only pursue and strive for growth in this way of life to the extent that we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, and run the race set before us in pursuit of faithful and loving obedience (Heb. 12.1, 2).

Focus on these three things, while you still have time to strive: A clear and compelling vision of Christ exalted and the City to Come; practicing the disciplines necessary for pursuing that vision; measuring your progress in outcomes of love for God and neighbors.

This is Kingdom living. This is the Kingdom turn. And if you haven’t made it yet, there’s no time like the present.

Because the present won’t be here forever.

Psalm 24.1-4 (Foundation: “How Firm a Foundation”)
The earth is the Lord’s, as is all it contains;
The world and its peoples He daily sustains.
He founded it fast on the seas long ago
And bid gentle rivers throughout it to flow.

Oh, who may ascend to the Lord’s holy place?
And who may appear to His glorious face?
All they who are clean in their heart and their hands,
And true in the souls with the Savior shall stand.

Lord, am I striving as I should? Show me how to press on more earnestly in this life of faith.

You can support The Fellowship without hardly even trying!
All you have to do is select The Fellowship as your preferred charity when you use Amazon smile for all your fall and holiday purchases. You buy what you need, and Amazon contributes a portion to The Fellowship of Ailbe. Here’s the link that gives you all the details: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-5953783.

You can also contribute to The Fellowship with your credit card, by using the donate button here or at the website, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Your gifts are important for the ongoing work of The Fellowship, and we’re praying that God will move many of you to share with us in this way. Thank you.

Psalms to Pray for Today, Saturday, and Sunday
Today
Morning: Psalm 119.121-128; Psalm 7
Evening: Psalm 82

Saturday
Morning: Psalm 119.129-136; Psalm 8
Evening: Psalm 83

Sunday
Morning: Psalm 119.137-144; Psalm 9
Evening: Psalm 84

T. M. Moore, Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.