December 6: The Easy Way

Jeremiah 10:1–11:23; Philemon 1:1–7; Proverbs 14:1–14

There is a certain amount of freedom in being foolish. Foolish people don’t stop to reflect on their actions. Characteristically unimaginative, foolish people don’t stop to consider how their words and actions affect others. The scary effect of foolishness is that it’s contagious: “Leave the presence of a foolish man, for you will not come to know words of knowledge. The wisdom of the clever is understanding his ways, but the folly of fools is deceit” (Prov 14:7).

There is an ease in self-deception because it’s our natural state. “There is a way that seems upright to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov 14:12). But the right way is not simply a more reflective, thoughtful life. We need a new way of life that can only be brought about in Christ—the one who reversed the power of death. Following the right way doesn’t mean relying on our own ability to be righteous through thoughtful actions. Rather, it means understanding our need for His righteousness. It’s God’s work in us, recreating us. It’s His Spirit, directing our ways and making us new in Him.

The fool does have influence, but a life transformed has far-reaching influence because it’s not our own work—it’s God’s. This is the calling of which Paul reminds Philemon. Paul tells Philemon that he has “great joy and encouragement” because of Philemon’s love. Because of his love, “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you brother” (Phlm 7). For this reason, Paul also holds Philemon to a high standard. Because of his great influence, he needs to be intentional about how he treats Onesimus, the redeemed slave who had wronged him.

Pray for a transformed life, and pray for the work of the Spirit in your life, dividing the light from the darkness and the foolish, deceitful parts from the wise. He will help you understand His ways if you ask Him. He will make the darkness evident, and He will show you the way of wisdom—a life that reflects Christ.

How are you praying for the Spirit’s ongoing work in your life, dividing the foolish ways from the wise?

Rebecca Van Noord

 Barry, J. D. – Kruyswijk, R., Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan (Bellingham, WA 2012).

December 6

If you were in the streets yesterday and today you certainly met him frequently—him being Saint Nicholas, dressed more or less correctly as a bishop, and surely never without the flowing white beard typical of his pictures since the eighth century. More or less bishoplike too is what these figures of Saint Nicholas say and do; often they act as boogeymen rather than representing the saint’s love told in legends in many variations. Precisely who was he in historical fact? Tradition has always identified Saint Nicholas with the bishop Nicholas who was a participant at the Council of Nicaea and who, together with that first great assembly of bishops, formulated the profession of faith in the true divinity of Jesus Christ. From a different angle the most ancient sources about Nicholas lead us into the same direction. Nicholas is one of the first of those venerated as saints without being martyrs. During the time when Christians were persecuted, those who resisted the powers of the pagan state and in defense of their faith pledged their very lives were spontaneously looked upon as the great guiding lights of the Faith. One of the sacred legends aptly states that all kinds of miracles could also be repeated by sorcerers and demons, and so they would remain ambiguous. One thing only would be totally unambiguous and not open to any deception: to practice goodness a whole life long; to live the Faith and hold fast to love in the common affairs of every day. The people of the fourth century experienced this miracle in Nicholas, and all the other miracle-stories, invented by later legends, are only variations of this one and fundamental miracle seen by the people, with admiration and gratitude, as the morning star that reflects the light of Christ. In this man they recognized what it means to believe in God made man; in him the dogma of Nicaea found its tangible interpretation for them. “Morning star receiving its light from the rising sun”—this ancient description of Saint Nicholas is at the same time one of the most ancient images of what Advent means. Only drawing on the light of God made man are we able to light ever anew the candles of our humaneness, which offer hope and joy to a world in darkness. This should be the most profound message of all the representations of Saint Nicholas: the call to kindle from the light of Christ the light of a renewed humaneness.

From: Bavarian radio broadcast, June 12, 1980

 Ratzinger, J., Co-Workers of the Truth: Meditations for Every Day of the Year (ed. I. Grassl) (San Francisco 1992) 383-385.