Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Feeling the Touch of Christ
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. (2 15- 17)
Background- John's 1st letter is addressed to the universal churches that were keen on following the rules and failed to understand the true meaning of Christian life and fellowship. Through this letter he was trying to enlighten the believers about the true meaning of being a Christian and providing them a well defined message about meaning of living a Christian life.
God's Purpose- God created this beautiful universe and in his infinite wisdom filled it with amazing living and non living things. Then he created human in his image to enjoy and use his creation to glorify the creator and fulfill his purpose and look forward to out final abode in the heavenly kingdom. In Genesis 2 verse 15 it is written that God created and placed human on earth to tend and care for it.
Human Response- In Genesis chapter 3 verse 6 the first sin was committed in the Garden of Eden and this stemmed from the lust of Eve’s eyes and her desire to become wise. And as years have passed humans have failed to pray and understand our purpose in this world and have become slaves to the creation by indulging in lust of the flesh- desires of heart and sensual pleasures, lust of the eyes- rich, possessions, pride of life- achievements. This has led to multiplication of sins, sorrow, hatred, death and instead of fulfilling the purpose of the creator to tend and care for the creation we have mange to cause destruction.
Christ the mediator- As humans who live in this materialistic and self centered world it is hard for us not to be blinded by lust and pride which lead us to live a sinful life. In John chapter 2 verses 1 and 2 he clearly states that Christ is the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world and that leads us farther from the love of God. And Only, Feeling the touch of Christ in our life will help us see the light and help us appreciate that every moment of our life, every possession that we have and every achievement that we are proud of, is a gift from our Heavenly Father, not that this life is something we have earned. This realization will help us enjoy, tend and care for the creation and live our daily life in this world as an offering of prayer to the creator.
Prayer- Help us Lord everyday to use the strength of prayer to feel the touch of Christ in our life that we may be transformed to understand the purpose of the creator and break the slavery bond of the creation. Amen
Abraham & Dr. Annie Philip, Rochester
Abraham and Dr Annie Philip, Rochester