One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law. – Martin Luther King
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. God’s own people.
Peter encourages us that if we truly believe that “we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (v.1:3) then our lives and our manner of living should reflect this truth.
To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Rev. Gunn’s book is a “practical guide to following Jesus.” This book is intended to be a means for each of us to intentionally develop better everyday habits which will help us live into our life in Christ. The Way of Love is not an academic study, but more of a how-to book. How do we follow Jesus on a daily basis?
When we Rest, in prayer or contemplation, we are saying “yes” to God; when we Rest in the presence of others, we are saying “yes” to human relationships, and when we simply Rest with ourselves, we are saying “yes” to life itself.
The purpose of the Twelve was not to simply follow Jesus around as his entourage, but to be sent out and to proclaim that the “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Being a blessing simply means loving others as best we can. It requires actively listening to others, intuiting their needs, and serving them in whatever way we can.
Deliver us, when we draw near to you, for coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections, we may worship you in spirit and truth.
In worship, we move God into the center of our world, and us out of it, thereby fulfilling the greatest of the commandments.
