Sabbath Reminder From Friday

Good Day Friends,

In a recent service at Harvest View Chapel we considered the epistle of 3 John.  This epistle, or letter, is one of the only books within Scripture which was written as a personal letter to an individual rather than to a group of people.  I would like to highlight verse four in this mini-epistle, which says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).  Am I walking in the truth?  Are you?

One must consider the simple fact that remembering the truth is an important first step if our desire is to walk in the truth.  Remembering is analogous to taking baby steps if our desire is to “walk in the truth.”  I used the illustration from C.S. Lewis’ The Silver Chair where The Lion entrusted the signs to Jill Pole while still in Aslan’s country;  specifically, the quote, “But first, remember, remember, remember the signs.  Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night.  And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs.”  With a few slight modifications, I’d like to insert the word “truth” for the word “signs.”  With this adjustment the passage would read:  "But first, remember, remember, remember the truth.  Say it to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night.  And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the truth."  To me this is a powerful illustration and a poignant reminder of how one could spend the Sabbath and not feel one bit guilty because remembering the truth is never a waste of time.  Here are a few truths we considered and I’d like to pass along for your edification.

1. God cares about my future.  (For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11)

2. Jesus' love is unconditional.  (As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  John 15:9)

3. I can have unexplainable peace given by God Himself.  (Peace I leave with you;  my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  John 14:27)

4. God's forgiveness is complete.  (For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;  as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.  Psalms 103:11-12)

5. We have utter freedom in Jesus.  (For freedom Christ has set us free;  stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1)

6. Fill in the blank with another truth you would like to remember:  ____________________________.

Truth is practical and the scriptures are intended to be lived out.  As we remember and consider the truth, we are allowing our minds to be renewed and changed into the image of Christ.  May each of you be strengthened and challenged to not only stop and consider truth on this Sabbath, but throughout the rest of your week.

Blessings,
Clyde