15 May 2013 - consecrated in truth

15 May 2013 - consecrated in truth

“Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.

Paul is concerned that the unity of the Church be preserved.  He knows the price Jesus paid to give us this truth.  He knows well the threats that face us.  The world hates the truth and doesn't want to hear it.  It is wants to suppress it so it isn't called to change its ways.  

And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.

There are elements both within ourselves and within the world that try to take the hard won truth of the cross and resurrection from us.  Jesus knows what we face and so he himself prays that we will remain in unity after he ascends to the Father.  The only basis we have for this unity is the truth he brings.

"Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.

His truth reminds us that we no longer belong to this dying world just as he himself doesn't belong to the world.  This is the truth that has the power to set us free.  There is more than the world of selfishness, striving, and pain.  There is a lasting kingdom where love has the final say.

They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.

If we are still in the world we need to seek freedom in Jesus.  He conquers the world and wants to make that victory manifest in us.  This freedom and victory has its source in the sure knowledge of his truth.

Consecrate them in the truth. 
Your word is truth.

He himself is the word of truth from the Father.  He consecrates himself for us!  It does not necessarily change our circumstances.  But it empowers us to be victorious in spite of our circumstances.  We will no longer be dominated by them just as Jesus endures the cross but ultimately wins the victory.

I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.

Jesus has won the victory over the world.  He consecrates his Church with his truth.  Let us remain in the heart of the Church so that we can receive all the protection it affords.  The power that now protects us is the same power that raised Jesus from death.

Show forth, O God, your power,
the power, O God, with which you took our part;

Let us sing his praises forevermore.

Paul Wilbur - Let Your Fire Fall

"Come and show your power as in days of old"