Daily Scripture Threshing for Monday, August 30, 2021
Today’s Text: Luke 22:31-34
Key Verse: Luke 22:33 (KJV): “But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
Have you heard or read of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand? He was imprisoned in Communist Romania just for being a Christian. The testimony he gave of his incarceration continues to shine brightly as an amazing example of a living sacrifice. He said: “Hungry, beaten, and rugged, we had forgotten theology and the Bible. We had forgotten the ‘truths about the Truth,’ therefore we lived in ‘the Truth.’ We could not think anymore. In our darkest hours of torture, the Son of Man came to us, making the prison walls shine like diamonds and filling the cells with light. Somewhere, far way, were the torturers below us in the sphere of the body. But the spirit rejoiced in the Lord. We would not have given up this joy for that of kingly palaces.”
Folks, religion puts lots of words (including well composed faith rhymes and confession) in our mouths. We probably got that from Peter. But what God requires of us is to be living sacrifice not necessarily by going to death; but going through it daily. Every Christian is a spiritual type of Isaac. We are placed upon the altar daily though the Lamb of the sacrifice has been supplied and the sacrifice already stands finished. Therefore, should we stand in the place of Peter? Our confession should not have to be — “Lord, I am ready to go with you to... death” Rather, it should be — “Lord, my life is a living sacrifice; I am willing to identify with Your death.” Maybe, we would not deny Him like Peter. Where we often fail is we think that God wants us to give up things any more than He wants us to give up ourselves! Yes, we give up things not just for the sake of giving them up, but for the sake of the only thing which is both not worth losing, and worth living for. We give up things because God wants us to get loosened from any strings and weights that hold us back. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)
Quote for the Day: “We are neither called to the violent impulse of religion nor the volatile motions of it. We are called to the same firm Christlike readiness to bear the cross and the determination to die if need be.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know how deep evil darkens this world. Please send Your light, and give me hope. Give me deeper sense of serenity in Your presence. Make me ever ready to find comfort in living or dying for Your sake, in Jesus' name. Amen.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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