Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
The last chapter of this brief letter draws a sharp contrast between life before faith in Christ and life after it. Before, Paul says, 'we' – he probably means just himself – were 'foolish, disobedient and wrong' (verse 3). 'We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them.' There's a note of sadness and regret in how he talks of morally wasted years. But when God 'saved us', everything changed: he gave his Holy Spirit, put Paul right with God and gave him 'possession of the eternal life we hope for' (verse 7).
It's a very interesting way of talking about the change in the life of the believer brought by the grace of God. Not everyone who's converted can point to such a sharp distinction between their lives before and after becoming a Christian. But Paul links his new faith in Christ with 'possession of eternal life'. These new ways of behaving and thinking are an anticipation of the life God will give us in all its fullness. In how we treat each other and how we live in the world, we are practising for heaven. The acts of kindness and generosity we do for others in response to God's kindness and generosity to us are like the hors d'oeuvres before a sumptuous meal. One day we will sit down together at a great banquet.
God, help me to live knowing that I'm a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, and to live always in the light of your grace and loving kindness to me.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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