T H E O P H I L U S

Today’s Scripture Reading: John 9:1-7

¹ As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴ As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵ While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ⁶ After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ⁷ “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Each day that we live is a gift. There is no guarantee that we will awake tomorrow morning, nor can we be for certain what the outcome of our days might be. Even if we have planned everything out and done everything we could to ensure all of the things we want to accomplish get done, the outcome is inevitably in God’s hands. Though there is probability in the way we are responsible with our time and how we spend our resources that produce what we hope for, the fact of life is there are more moments in our lives that things don’t go always as planned.

“Religion says earn your life. Secular society says create your life. Jesus says: ‘My life for your life’.”

Rev. Timothy Keller
Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City

What are we living for each day? Is it money and wealth? recognition and success? pleasure and experience? We live in a time we are more concerned about what surrounds ourselves than being in tune with what God was doing and how he is leading us. The most blessed moments in the bible were always moments where God’s people chose to follow the Lord. It is with Moses and Joshua that we saw God lead his people through his wondrous plan, and with Peter and Paul that we saw the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s saving grace work through the gospel. But it began with a calling of urgency. We are more urgent for everything else – to eat, to wear, and to accomplish fleshly works rather than of the gospel. But what is more urgent than the gospel? Many more pass away each day without having properly heard it.

As we live each day, we must have a sense of urgency – that every moment we live is a gift from God to live out his glory here on earth and for those who do not know the gospel must hear of it as we have. We cannot live any longer in hate, dispute, nor indulgence because those around us whom we both hate and love who do not know Christ may not live another day to hear the gospel tomorrow. As our days are numbered, and our time is precious each day – live in holding to what is eternal – God and God alone. Be challenged today to ask a crucial question of Christian living: More than “what” I am living for, instead today begin to ask “who” am I living for?