8 She did what she could. Mark 14:8a (NIV)
It is thy duty oftentimes to do what thou wouldst not; thy duty, too, to
leave undone what thou wouldst do.
Thomas A Kempis (1379-1471) priest, monk, writer*
The older I get, the more I realize how interconnected the Christian life is. Take today's quote from Thomas Kempis. While it is straightforward (once you get past the "wouldsts" and "thys"), the application of such a simple pretext is multilayered.
It is our Christian responsibility to do what God would have us to and not do that which He would not have us do.
HOWEVER. . .
- How do we know that those dos and not dos are?
- We seek God's guidance through prayer.
- How can we hear God's still small voice?
- Prayer and meditation.
BUT- if we have unconfessed sin in our lives, that communion and communication with God is disrupted.
- How do we keep from sinning?
- Resist temptation and flee.
- How can we resist temptation.
- Follow the leading of our Lord and Savior- use scripture.
- How do we learn scripture?
- Bible study and memorization.
I wish I were a graphic artist. I think there is a great visual buried somewhere in all this. To lead a life pleasing to God requires a variety of spiritual disciplines. Neglecting one of these for a any length of time weakens the entire Christian life.
*Daily Strength for Daily Needs- February 11
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html
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