Faith and life informed by scripture

This week I enjoyed leading one morning’s devotion for the students during Youth Mission Week. (Thanks for inviting me Bryan!) After mulling over what sort of devo to share, it seemed that simple and straightforward would be the best approach. I decided to answer the question, “what key scripture passages inform the way I live?” As we talked I encouraged the kids to share biblical passages that really “clicked” with them. They responded with everything from the story of Noah to all of the passages about Leviathan.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ~  John 3:16-17 

Starting with perhaps the most obvious while trying not to sound cliché, the italics show how I read this text. God loves us, and wants us to have eternal life (beginning now, in this life, by the way), and intends this salvation for the whole world. Whether or not the whole world has accepted God’s love in the end is for God to sort out, not me/us/anybody.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — ⁹not the result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. ~ Ephesians 2:8-10 

You can't earn it... that's why they call it grace! Also, we were created is for good work in (by living like) Jesus. That is our way of life. So is there a tension here? If so, how do we resolve it?

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.  &  ¹⁴What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? ¹⁵If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, ¹⁶and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? ¹⁷So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. ~ James 1:22  &  2:14-17 

Jesus himself stands in the Jewish tradition which is an *ethical* faith. Faith in Yahweh, and participation in His covenant, means that in all areas and every category a disciple lives according to Yahweh’s rules in relationship to God and to others.

When he [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ¹⁸”The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ~  Luke 4:16-19 

From the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry he had a clear vision. Our work in his name reflects that same vision. If the gospel we preach is not good news to the poor, sick and oppressed, then it isn’t the good news! (see also Amos 5:24  &  Micah 6:6-8)

Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~  Matthew 28:18-20 

This is a lot of authority! and pretty straightforward. Go, make disciples, bring all people into the covenant through baptism and the teaching obedience to God’s word.

There are probably several more that could be in my “favorite passages” list, but these came to mind (and could fit inside a 15 minute conversation w/the kids). What verses really click with you. Does your life have a “theme verse?”