28 May 2016 - build yourselves

[ Today's Readings ]

Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.

These are connected.

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church (see First Corinthians 14:4).

Edify, according to Merriam-Webster:

1. Archaic
a :  build
b :  establish

Prayer in the Spirit builds us in faith. Faith brings with it hope and the power to keep ourselves in the love of God while we wait for the mercy of Jesus that leads to eternal life.

Since we ourselves await and rely on mercy this love also makes us merciful. We no longer content to watch others waver or fall. Instead, in mercy we are ready to "save others by snatching them from the fire". We do not fear the consequences to ourselves or our reputation, only "the outer garment stained by the flesh", that is, the filth of sin.

Jesus has heavenly authority on his side. The world can't readily acknowledge this. But look, they are too PC to blatantly deny it and shut us up. So let's keep talking. It worked for Jesus with the Pharisees and it can work for us as well.

After all, we aren't trusting in ourselves. We're letting ourselves be built up in faith, hope, and love by the one who has the authority of heaven on his side.

To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling
and to present you unblemished and exultant,
in the presence of his glory,
to the only God, our savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord
be glory, majesty, power, and authority
from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.

It is him that we desire above all else, even when we don't realize it. Let's let him build us so that we can experience the fulfillment of this desire.

O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts 
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.