Standing Firm

Over the last couple of days, I visited the Lectionary that the UCA uses.
I began reading the selection for Pentecostal 26 and immediately the passages spoke about our behaviour within the Christian community to which we belong in worshipping Christ Jesus.

The 2nd reading struck a chord that we are not to be "idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching (traditions) you received from us." 2 Thes 3:6-13. These are hard words that Apostle Paul writes and he adds in verse 8, "not to be a burden to any of you". The clue to our behaviour is v13 "Never tire of doing what is good".

The Gospel reading focus on Luke 21:2-19 and verse 19 gave a word of encouragement, "stand firm, you will win life". The reward of persevering is win life with God for doing what is good but our hope is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the 1st reading, Isaiah 65:17-25, the opening verse 17 is the great declaration of God, "I will create new heavens & a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind". This is a wonderful blessing that a Christian will have in the promise of standing firm in doing what is good, win life.