24 Oct 2014 - urgency

Mamertine Prison - Traditional site of the imprisonment of Saints Peter and Paul

I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,

Listen to Paul. There is urgency that we live up to this calling. Why?

You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

We need to read these signs correctly. We need to take advantage of the invitation the LORD while there is still time. It is counter-intuitive, but the urgency of our calling allows us to be patient prisoners for the LORD like Paul is. It allow us to endure with humility, gentleness, and patience. When we read these signs we number our days because we know that life is short.  It is a passing shadow, grass that springs up in the morning but fades in the evening (cf. Psa. 90:6). Paul is untroubled by this "light momentary affliction" (cf. 2 Cor 4:17).  He is unfazed by it. The urgency of eternity puts the concerns of the present in their proper place.

Eternity requires holiness (cf. Heb. 12:14). We do well to embrace it that rather than to begrudgingly accept it.

the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”

If we are to be prisoners, let us be like Paul.  Let us be prisoners for the LORD. If holiness is required of us, let us undergo the transformation now. If we embrace this transformation and acquiesce to God's work in us we experience humility, gentleness, and patience. If we don't embrace it, it might be less enjoyable. It might feel like it is being torn from us until the last penny is paid. This is the urgency of the call to holiness. 

We are called to one hope. When we realize this we will push through all the distractions that offer us lesser hopes.

you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.

When we have this as the priority of our hearts we do so in union with all the followers of Jesus. We can preserve the bond of peace as one Body because we are united in the one Spirit who himself is the only cause of holiness in anyone.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.

We long to see your face, LORD. Teach us to see the urgency of the signs of the times and to respond to that urgency. In response, we ask you to have your way in us. We ask you to unite us and make us holy by your Spirit in us.