August 24: The Spiritual Index

Today's lesson reminds me of a quote that I read on one the links that Kevin set up for us. In the July 21st post of Tyler Zach's blog, he begins with an illustration. The line that jumped off the page was “A faith that justifies is also a faith that sanctifies.” How like spoiled children we are when we actually expected God to grant every whim that we have when we refuse to even complete a self-inventory to see if we are living according to His instructions.

In I Thessalonians 5, Paul penned a concise list of instructions for living the model life of a Christian (or in more theological terms, a sanctified life.) Verse 19 says "Quench not the Spirit" in the KJV and "Do not put out the Spirit's fire" in the NIV. Perhaps our refusal to try to live by those previous principles is the very thing that quenches the Spirit and negates our power in prayer.

Jesus, help us today to find the courage to honestly examine ourselves in light of I Thessalonians 5 so that we can be "sons of the light. ...Let us be self-controlled...encourage one another ...and live in peace with each other. May we be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, test everything, hold on the the good, and avoid every kind of evil. And may You, the God of peace, sanctify us through and through, ...keeping us blameless until You return. You who have called us are faithful, and You will do it.