Above: Shipwreck
Image in the Public Domain
Our Decision to Make
SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
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The Collect:
O God, overflowing with mercy and compassion,
you lead back to yourself all those who go astray.
Preserve your people in your loving care,
that we may reject whatever is contrary to you
and may follow all things that sustain our life in
your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 47
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The Assigned Readings:
Amos 7:1-6
Psalm 73
1 Timothy 1:18-20
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You will guide me by your counsel,
and afterwards receive me with glory.
–Psalm 73:24, The Book of Common Prayer (1979)
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Judgment and mercy exist in balance in the Bible. The reading from Amos 7 emphasizes mercy, but, just a few verses later, God promises to destroy the dynasty of King Jeroboam II of Israel (reigned 788-747 B.C.E.), without relenting. Judgment and mercy are collective in Amos 7, but judgment is individual in 1 Timothy 1.
By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith.
–verse 19b, Revised Standard Version–Second Edition (1971)
In both instances rejecting divine counsel leads to negative consequences. God might relent in, for example, sending fire or a plague of locusts, as in Amos 7, but consequences will arrive consequently. On the other hand, we can love God fully and our neighbors as ourselves. That will not mean that nothing bad will happen to us, but we will please God and help many people.
The choice is ours, for we have the free will to decide.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MAY 18, 2016 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF MALTBIE DAVENPORT BABCOCK, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN I, BISHOP OF ROME
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/our-decision-to-make/
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