“…Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47 (NABS)
Day by day, Day by day
O dear Lord three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Stephen L. Schwartz
The musical Godspell was written in 1970 to a generation that was fragmented and was at odds with itself, desperate for the unity that Jesus’ teaching promised. Vietnam, Watergate, civil unrest and rioting, assassinations of heroes like Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy all caused us to withdraw from each other.
In many ways it’s like the generation of today which has lost its sense of direction and purpose. In addition to the 9-11 attacks and the subsequent war on terror, the internet and cell phones that isolate us from one another, we have the threat of objective Truth that has been hijacked by destructive ideologies and the death knell over the culture of reason.
Revealed by the Holy Spirit, the heart of man knows that this life is about more than himself. The Westminster Shorter Catechism captures the essence of man’s purpose: “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” These believers in Acts chapter 2 discovered the joy of living in community which is inextricably linked to enjoying God, in whose image they are made.
Jesus, as the last Adam came to show how man was intended to live, in total dependence on His Father. Says Jesus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing;…” John 5:19-20 (NASB)
We were designed to live in dependence on God, as Jesus modeled for us with His life with His total dependence on the Father. The problem comes when we think we can go it alone; that we don’t need anyone. “It’s un-American”; says the rugged individualist. But it is a lie, which has it roots in the serpent”s deception in the garden : “your eyes will be opened and you will be like God…” (Gen.3:5). And” there’s the rub!”, as Hamlet would say.
With the Holy Spirit came the liberating Truth that we, the redeemed of the Lord, are not alone in this work! We link arms with our brothers and sisters, enjoying the fellowship with our Father. “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Day by Day.
Questions To Think About:
Day by day, Day by day
O dear Lord three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Stephen L. Schwartz
The musical Godspell was written in 1970 to a generation that was fragmented and was at odds with itself, desperate for the unity that Jesus’ teaching promised. Vietnam, Watergate, civil unrest and rioting, assassinations of heroes like Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy all caused us to withdraw from each other.
In many ways it’s like the generation of today which has lost its sense of direction and purpose. In addition to the 9-11 attacks and the subsequent war on terror, the internet and cell phones that isolate us from one another, we have the threat of objective Truth that has been hijacked by destructive ideologies and the death knell over the culture of reason.
Revealed by the Holy Spirit, the heart of man knows that this life is about more than himself. The Westminster Shorter Catechism captures the essence of man’s purpose: “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” These believers in Acts chapter 2 discovered the joy of living in community which is inextricably linked to enjoying God, in whose image they are made.
Jesus, as the last Adam came to show how man was intended to live, in total dependence on His Father. Says Jesus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing;…” John 5:19-20 (NASB)
We were designed to live in dependence on God, as Jesus modeled for us with His life with His total dependence on the Father. The problem comes when we think we can go it alone; that we don’t need anyone. “It’s un-American”; says the rugged individualist. But it is a lie, which has it roots in the serpent”s deception in the garden : “your eyes will be opened and you will be like God…” (Gen.3:5). And” there’s the rub!”, as Hamlet would say.
With the Holy Spirit came the liberating Truth that we, the redeemed of the Lord, are not alone in this work! We link arms with our brothers and sisters, enjoying the fellowship with our Father. “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Day by Day.
Questions To Think About:
- How has “rugged individualism “ affected your spiritual life, and where do you feel the specific “rub” of loneliness or self-sufficiency?
- With respect to glorifying and enjoying God and the joy of community , how does your relationship with other believers help you see God more clearly, and love God more dearly?
- Do you view your witness for Christ as a series of grand gestures, or as a natural byproduct of living a consistent, “day by day” life with others?
Posted in Day by Day