Keep the Word

John 8:48-59

It seems from this passage there is a lot to be said for keeping the Word. I like to think I can be counted on to 'keep my word,' although I know I haven’t always done that. How much tougher is it to keep God’s Word? What does that mean anyway - especially when in John so far the Word is also synonymous with truth and light? Not to be irreverent but it sounds to me like keeping a tiger. You know that thing has more power than you. When reflecting on a positive Christian response to The Da Vinci Code I was led to the observation (certainly not original with me) that we don’t so much address the Word as it addresses us; we don’t validate Scripture but rather it tells the story of a God who is seeking earnestly, insistently, and in a way that defines love – to validate us.

Keeping God’s Word, I guess, is to have it/Him as the light in the lantern of my worldly life, or something like that. I mean, keeping the Word – especially seeing how it looks as I try to live it – will help me see things for what they are, including the person replacing the old me. Keeping the Word means not keeping my self.

Prayer:
God, everything around me seems to work against what you teach. Everyone is bent on polishing their image, posturing, networking, connecting, self-promoting, forming alliances; how tedious. Turn my head to your kingdom to seek it first, keeping your Word, so each other thing will take its rightful place, if it has one. Through Christ. Amen.