Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
Ephesians 2:8-9
DEVOTION FOR TODAY, September 3, 2020
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
We are six months into the pandemic and trying our best to be faithful in our churches. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder; and many have a greater appreciation of the church than we might have had before. I pray that absence will not cause the heart of some to wander. It is easy to get out of the habit of attending.
“I don’t get to church,” the man said to the pastor. “I’m just as good as anyone of those people.” Then he began with a list of all the good things that he did. He spoke of being kind to people, and quoted things like, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and “judge not.” He gave to those in need… (The list went on).
When the man finished talking, the pastor asked: “Where did you learn to live that kind of life?” The answer came before the man could catch his words, “When I was a child my parents took me to Sunday School”. His words faded away as he realized that the church had been the place where much of his life had been molded and shaped into something good.
The reason that the man did not attend church services is the same reason that most of us do. We are as good as anyone else who attends, and that is never good enough. That is the wonder of grace: It sits all of us at the feet of Jesus on level ground. I appreciate the fact that the body of Christ is not flawless; that allows room for me.
Who can say that everything in their home is perfect? Yet, we go home; it may not be flawless, but there is Love. That is why I attend a church. It is made of imperfect people who serve the perfect Lord; It may not be flawless, but there is Love.
“I am the church! You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
all around the world!
Yes, we are the church together!
We are many kinds of people,
with many kinds of faces,
all colors and all ages,
from all times and places.”
Yes, we are the church together.
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
“Link to YouTube Video – I Am the Church”
