“Doing The Will Of God!”

“Doing The Will Of God!”(I Jn.2:12-17).
Holy Spirit, as I step forth into a new day, guide me away from presumptuous sin!
There are two groups that read the Bible in Africa: the academic readers and the ordinary readers. The academic readers are the theologians and biblical scholars. The ordinary readers are the people in the pews. These include the common man with basic education up to the professors of different disciplines.
The academic readers dissect the scriptures and sometimes strip it bare of what builds faith. Meanwhile the ordinary readers read to build faith, and most times, they are so loyal to the scriptures to the extent of brainwashing.
There is tension and suspicion between the two groups. Academic readers consider ordinary readers as being overtly submissive to ignorance. Meanwhile the ordinary readers accuse the academic readers of theologising of the scriptures and robbing it of faith and devotion.
There is a need to balance the theology of the academy with the devotion of the ordinary reader.
Like in any piece of writing, any message from the interpretation of scriptures should have a target audience. To whom is your message directed?
A devotional message from the academic reader seeks to strike a balance between both groups of readers.
We sometimes preach in a generalised way without any targeted group, and this is confusing.
Having this in mind, John, in his first letter, categorised his readers into children, fathers, and young men. When we allow Sunday school children in adult services, we deprive the children of messages that were beneficial to them.
The bottom line for all the groups boils down to submissiveobedienceorobedientsubmissiontotheLORD: “… Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
The sum of the matter is to transmit the message that only those who do the will of God live forever.
My friend, are you doing the will of God? Then God bless you!
Prayer: Holy Spirit, lead me away from the lust of the flesh, eyes, and the pride of life. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you! Merry Christmas and a fulfilling New Year!
Rev Babila Fochang.
07/01/2025.