Today’s WORD (Text)               Jeremiah 31:33-34

33/ But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34/ No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

 

Today’s Witness

God moved the Prophet to declare to the nation that a future period was coming in history when the agreements between God and the faithful would not exist primarily on tablets of stone that could be broken and discarded.  God prefers a new agreement in that new era when the people will love God and one another as a resolution of the heart, not simply one inscribed on tablets.  The assurance we have as Christians is that such an era began with the ministry of a Nazarene named Jesus.  Jesus taught his hearers that the greatest commandment was to love the Creator God with all the heart, mind and strength.  The next greatest commandment is to apply the love we have for ourselves toward our neighbors.  Love emanating from the heart is foundational to all the laws that were ever inscribed on tablets on stone.  History repeats itself with respect to human beings circumventing and violating the laws in the books.  Strict adherence to a book and to instructions from others are of little worth so long as the condition of the human hearts goes unchanged.  We will always be consumed with struggles for justice and righteousness until love takes hold on the inside.

 

Today’s Invitation

 

Consider the great debates underway in our nation today regarding reform. They range from immigration, criminal justice, police reform, anti-poverty, gun violence, quality education, universal access to health care, housing and so much more.  Which of these reforms require a change of heart?

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, help us to love one another, for love comes from God.  Teach us to forgive, and then to write a new relationship code that is based on mutual love, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Passionary Intention

Today, I choose to live my life with passion.  Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:

  • Where will I follow Christ today?
  • To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
  • How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?

 

The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday).  Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.

 

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