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Speak His Words to each other, a command and joy

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I was at a Bible study last night and among other things, we were discussing the importance of sharing God’s Words with each other—literally, God’s Words—the Bible, the Word, the truth in it. As I woke up this morning I was reminded of Mal. 3:16-18

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.  “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

How extraordinary—when we talk about our Lord with each other, God pays attention to us. And not just a passing glance of attention so like we give to each other today with one eye on our cell phone and our attention spread over the busy, multi-tasking life we live—He listens; He remembers; He records it.

Context of the verse—the  book of Malachi

The book of Malachi, the last of the books in the Old Testament is written to a very religious people—much temple worship was going on, lots of talk about God, lots of Temple sacrifices. But the sacrifices were blemished, the teaching was self-absorbed and false, the relational and work lives of followers a mockery of their faith. Malachi places both the blame and the solution on the priests in Malachi 2:

 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring ,and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. 4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts.

5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.

7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”

Application to us and God’s priesthood of people

We can’t simply point fingers today at poor teaching in churches. Because of the death, resurrection, and our salvation in Jesus, the commands and responsibilities of the priesthood fall on all of us who call Jesus Lord, as Peter reminds us in 1Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

We have a message to share with the world around us of salvation in Jesus. To encourage and energize us to do this, we need to spend time with each other sharing His Words, discussing how they relate to our lives and encouraging and challenging each other with them. We may be fortunate and attend a church where the Word is preached and sacraments properly observed. These experiences are essential, but they aren’t enough if we are to live well-rounded Christian lives. Two other quotes from last night are helpful here:

Faith demands a community.

Don’t just talk about God—speak His Words.

Meeting with other believers and talking about God isn’t an option if we want to live obedient lives and grow in our faith. If you aren’t part of a small group, Sunday School class or group of friends where you can talk with others about God, make it a priority to get into a group where you can.

Spiritual Disciplines, one reason why to do them–no money required for life transformation

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For the last several months I’ve read books by Dallas Willard (Divine Conspiracy, Hearing God) and most recently, The Spirit of the Disciplines. Among other challenges, Willard makes significant claims for the validity of the spiritual disciplines. His thinking can be summed up by saying that the spiritual disciplines are training for the body and soul that will enable a person to live as Jesus lived.

I find his ideas are challenging and cautiously hopeful as a way to help me grow as a disciple of Jesus.

In addition, as I was reading recently I realized that one other thing that greatly appeals to me about his ideas and about the spiritual disciplines in the other books I’m reading on the topic is that they don’t cost any money to practice. That may seem obvious, but it answered, what has been for me a huge dilemma. The dilemma has to do with life transformation. How do we change the habits, actions, life-style issues that we know hold us and sometimes our relationships back from being all we know the Lord wants us to be?

I hear a lot about therapy and though it can be wonderful and life-changing for many, and in no way do I want to diminish its values for those who can afford it. But there is the dilemma—who can afford it? I know I can’t. Not possible. And not possible or even a consideration for many of my friends who I know need life changes from significant serious abuse (self-chosen with substances and sometimes afflicted by others).

Knowing the reality of their situation, it bothers me to hear (and this is my problem) Christian leaders suggest therapy when they talk about healing.

I know that lack of money makes doctors visits and dental care and new eye glasses a luxury for many—but is mental health also only for those with the time and money (and lots of it) to afford it? Depressing thought. But that is what many seem to imply.

Not that the spiritual disciplines, as described by Willard and others, are an easy path to follow. Yes, ultimate joy and peace at the end of the journey, but an acknowledged, sometimes rocky road to get there. But here is the hope through them—and they available to all people, all times, all cultures, and at no cost.

For me, that the spiritual disciplines are freely available to all is a sign of authenticity and value.  They are something I can attempt and in good conscience recommend to my struggling friends.