Page 29 - Living Light 86

Monday September 30 - Our Christian benefits
...we have been enlightened... tasted the heavenly gifts... shared in the Holy Spirit, tasted the goodness of the word of God... Hebrews 6:4-5
If you receive ‘Pension Credit’ you may well find that several other state benefits are available for you as well. So says the DWP leaflet that I have just received! This sounds like good news, getting better!
Today’s reading assures us that if we have been ‘enlightened’ then we have access to many other wonderful things too. To be ‘enlightened’ here means that God has opened our spiritual eyes to understand how wonderful Jesus is. He is the Son of God, the one who has made atonement for us, our High Priest who understands our weakness and helps us. If we have responded by faith to Jesus then many other benefits are ours too.
We can ‘taste the heavenly gifts’. This is not primarily about being eligible to take the bread and wine in a communion service, but rather that we can enjoy the release of forgiveness, and the joy of intimacy with God. Above all, as we are reading the Bible and these notes, we can ‘taste the goodness of the word of God’. His word is good because it is true, maintains our relationship with God, encourages us when we are struggling, shows us when we are going astray, and reveals Jesus to us, and his love for us. It explains our purpose and prompts us to pray and witness to others.
Generous God, help me to value every gift you provide and protect me from ever being tempted to turn my back on your life- giving love. Amen.
Tuesday October 1 - After the harvest
Land that... produces a good crop... receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns... will be burned. Hebrews 6:7-8
As Christians, part of the fullness of life Jesus promises is that we should ‘bear much fruit’ and that if we remain unfruitful the branch will be cut off (John 15:5-8). Jesus also told a parable about an unfruitful fig tree that was given one last chance (Luke 13:6-9). Here the focus is on the land. Land that is fruitful receives God’s blessing. This is what he longs for and approves of. But land that is unfruitful is not here rejected or left barren. No, the thorns and thistles will be destroyed by burning so that a harvest becomes possible in the future.
There are three kinds of fruit that God looks for in our lives. First, that we are becoming more like Jesus, with the Holy Spirit’s help. This is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); this fruit is the character of Jesus. Secondly, with God’s help we can produce the fruit of more disciples. It is the Spirit who convicts people of their sinfulness and their need for a Saviour. This is the fruit of converts. Finally, there is the fruit of the gifts of the Spirit, whether this be an ability in administration, or generosity, prophecy, preaching or miracles (there are over 27 ‘gifts’ mentioned in the New Testament, and called in Greek ‘charismata’).
Caring God, help us today to use the gifts you have given us so we are fruitful, and to bless you for the gifts of kindness and help we receive from others. Amen.
27
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY