Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Glorious Appearance of Christ and the Vigilant Disciples

  Bible portion: 1 Peter 4:12-19

For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the Gospel of God? (1 Pet 4:17)
Devotion:
There’s a whole list of characters in the Marvel comic-book universe who thought they were doing what was right. Take Magneto, an anti-hero in the X-Men series. A Holocaust survivor, he thought he was protecting mutant humans from oppression; yet he did terrible things to achieve his noble goal. So when the Apostle Peter wrote about the pending judgment, he pointed a quivering finger unabashedly at the Christian community. 
Writing to a diaspora community, St. Peter writes of the need to continue to through suffering. Christianity is not a panacea for all life’s problems. He reminded readers to be faithful, explaining that their sufferings share in that of Christ’s, which ultimately made God the victor over sin. Yet, judgment is meant for all peoples: first, the believer, and then others. But woe to the one who claims to follow the Lord Jesus but fails to obey the Gospel, for they will endure a verdict far worse than those who never heard the Gospel. Today, we must rend our hearts in pain over our pitiful situation, often unable to hear the essence of the Gospel. We should be pained by those who cry “Lord, Lord” but never understood the loving relationship with Jesus Christ. We should be pained by all those who have never heard of the love of Savior; for those who got the wrong impression about Christianity because of the failures of Christians. Judgment approaches for all; let us understand the Gospel and share that loving message in our speech and actions.
Prayer:
 Heavenly Father, we know the judgment approaches. Father, look upon the blood of Your Son shed for us, and remove from us the verdict that we deserved. Instead, help us to experience Your grace and mercy. Teach us to extend your mercy and love to others by sharing the Gospel and living the Gospel daily. Amen.
O Father of the Truth, behold, Your Son became the sacrifice for reconciling us with You. May I be justified through Him... How much are my debts! How much Your mercies!" (Mar Thoma Syrian Church Thaksa) 

                                             Rev. Jeswin John
Vicar, St. John’s MTC Michigan; Windsor Congregation; Minneapolis Congregation

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