The people asked John, "What should we do?" John answered, "If you have two shirts, share with the person that does not have one. If you have food, share that too." Even the tax collectors came to John. They wanted to be baptized. They said to John, "Teacher, what should we do?" John said to them, "Don't take more taxes from people than you have been ordered to take." The soldiers asked John, "What about us? What should we do?" John said to them, "Don't use force or lies to make people give you money. Be happy with the pay you get." (ERV)
Key Thought: As Luke tells the story of Jesus' earthly ministry (the Gospel of Luke) and the story of Jesus' heavenly ministry (the Book of Acts), he comes back to this question again and again, "What must we [I] do?" This is THE question Luke wants all of us to ask. Luke is looking for more than just, "What must I believe?" God uses Luke to speak to our times when goodness and godliness are associated only with what we feel or what we think. Yes, God wants our hearts, minds, and souls to be thoroughly convicted and passionate. Yes, without faith and love, all action is hollow and vain. But, the Bible makes clear that faith is not genuine if all it does is change what we think between our ears. Real faith leads us to action. Faith is always displayed in action based upon trust—it is never just mere wishful thinking or good intentions. When Jesus enters our world, he changes it. When Jesus enters our lives, he changes them. So the question of each day, the ultimate question of faith, is this: "What, Lord, should I do?" So why not begin each day by asking Jesus that question?
For Prayer: O God, guide my steps and lead my heart and form my character. I want my faith to be more than mental. I want my love for you to be displayed in what I do and how I do it. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/0212-wjd.html#Fulltext
Key Thought: As Luke tells the story of Jesus' earthly ministry (the Gospel of Luke) and the story of Jesus' heavenly ministry (the Book of Acts), he comes back to this question again and again, "What must we [I] do?" This is THE question Luke wants all of us to ask. Luke is looking for more than just, "What must I believe?" God uses Luke to speak to our times when goodness and godliness are associated only with what we feel or what we think. Yes, God wants our hearts, minds, and souls to be thoroughly convicted and passionate. Yes, without faith and love, all action is hollow and vain. But, the Bible makes clear that faith is not genuine if all it does is change what we think between our ears. Real faith leads us to action. Faith is always displayed in action based upon trust—it is never just mere wishful thinking or good intentions. When Jesus enters our world, he changes it. When Jesus enters our lives, he changes them. So the question of each day, the ultimate question of faith, is this: "What, Lord, should I do?" So why not begin each day by asking Jesus that question?
For Prayer: O God, guide my steps and lead my heart and form my character. I want my faith to be more than mental. I want my love for you to be displayed in what I do and how I do it. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/0212-wjd.html#Fulltext
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