Daily Devotions

[Gregory Matthews]

Most of us will agree that a daily devotional time with the Lord is important.  Yet, we often find it hard to set aside such a daily time.

The following is a devotional thought for yesterday, May 29, 2018.  It is posted each day by a SDA Church that is attempting to serve spiritual needs on the Internet.

Tuesday—You Idiot

Series: The Judged

Message: You Idiot

Preacher: Damian Chandler

Reflection: Sam Millen

Live Wonder: Zan Long

Live Adventure: Zan Long

Live Purpose: Jessyka Albert

Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Romans 2:1-11 in The Message (MSG). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: In Romans 2, Paul warns his imaginary Jewish interlocutor (see below) not to feel superior to the Gentiles. The list of sins committed by the Gentiles in Chapter 1, Verses 18–31 is comprehensive, but those eager to condemn are just as guilty. Why are humans so keen to point the finger at others? I suppose it makes us feel better about ourselves. But this is a false sense of security. Could Paul’s warning apply to us? The Jews felt special because they possessed the Torah. Growing up, I often heard the sentiment that as Seventh-day Adventists, we "have the truth." This can lead to a sense of superiority.

As an Adventist minister I have been truly blessed by following this piece of advice: “Our ministers should seek to come near to the ministers of other denominations.  Pray for and with these men, for whom Christ is interceding. A solemn responsibility is theirs. As Christ’s messengers, we should manifest a deep, earnest interest in these shepherds of the flock” (Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p.78)  By spending time with the clergy from other denominations I have learned a lot, and hopefully helped them see us as fellow Christians wanting to follow Jesus.

I was chatting with a local Catholic priest recently—an earnest young man who wants to serve God and the community as much as I do. Even though I should have been ready for his question, I was still shocked when he asked it—and I quote him here: “Doesn’t your church call us the Whore of Babylon?” I explained how there are two women in Revelation, one pure and the other corrupt, representing two types of churches. I knew he admired Pope John Paul II and reminded him that the pope apologized for what the church did in the Middle Ages. His response was that they weren’t the only guilty ones and proceeded to tell me how Catholics have faced severe persecution themselves. I agreed with him and pointed out an obvious pattern—those who receive power quickly become corrupt. Then I showed him a quote from one of our founders written to ministers like me: “On entering a new place of labor, we should be careful not to create prejudice in the minds of the Catholics, or do anything to lead them to think us their enemies. The Lord has shown me that there are many among them who will be saved” (Review and Herald, June 13, 1912). He texted me later that he appreciates our friendship.

For Seventh-day Adventists, it is tempting to think we are spiritually safe as long as we are not following the Pope. However, Martin Luther (who said many harsh things about the papacy) had this quote attributed to him: “I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, self.”  Whether Luther said it or not, it is true. Let’s examine our own hearts before we point the finger at others.

Recalibrate: It is often said we see our faults in others. Has this been your experience?

Respond: Pray the prayer found in Psalm 51:1–12.

Research: When Paul uses the second person singular, "you," he is not accusing his readers (that would require the second person plural—"y'all" as they say in the South). Rather, he is using a literary style called diatribe. A diatribe is an imaginary dialogue with a student or opponent—in this case a Jew feeling superior to the Gentiles whose sins are listed in Chapter 1. Do some research on this in the New International Commentary on the New Testament and other commentaries. Douglas Moo makes an argument that Paul is addressing the pious Jew, while others (N.T. Wright, for instance) believe he is addressing the heathen moralist.

Remember: "For God judges all people in the same way" (Romans 2:11, ICB).

Sam Millen is an Australian whose self-imposed exile in North America started 20 years ago. He has been a school chaplain, Bible teacher, youth pastor, associate pastor, and district pastor in conferences across the United States and Canada. As the current pastor at Anacortes Adventist Fellowship, Sam is utilizing the Washington State Ferry system to commute between Orcas Island (where he lives with his wife, Angie, and their three kids) and Anacortes.

[Gregory Matthews]

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[JoeMo]

I get these every day; and my wife and I use them as our daily devotional.  They are amazing!