Devotional thoughts for Thursday

Thursday 8. January 2015 

Epiphany

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. (Romans 1,28 ESV) 

Violence is the result of sinful, fallen mankind. God does not create violence, but He does allow mankind, with our God-given free will, to commit violent acts. Left to our own devises, we will commit whatever vile deeds that our debased minds can conjure up. 

Romans 1,28, however, is not the final word on this subject. St. Paul later writes in his epistle: all are justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom He put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness. (Romans 3,24-25) 

The Apostle Paul reminds us that God’s true nature is not one that demands submission, nor is He a God who made the universe and then stepped back to let it run on its own as He is seated detached far away in heaven, but His true nature is love, mercy and forgiveness. His mercy is ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ who by dying and rising for us shows us God’s love and forgiveness. 

So when we reel from the horror of violence, like the murder of twelve Frenchmen who worked at Charlie Hebdo, we also remember that God is merciful. He desires us to live according to His will, but knowing that we can never do this perfectly He forgives us and is kind to us and this forgiveness and kindness is manifested for us in Christ Jesus our Savior. 

Prayer: O Almighty and Most Merciful God, the Protector of all who trust in You, strengthen our faith and give us courage to believe that in Your love You will rescue us from all advertises; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. (B70, Treasury of Daily Prayer)