Wow! Today's reading is a real eye-opener. As I read about Isaiah's vision of seeing the Lord's glory, he cries out in great anguish: "Woe is me! For I am undone; behold I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips!"
It seems that the readings in Isaiah are just getting more and more pointed, especially as we see what is happening in our world and in our church today. Do we realize that we are a people of unclean lips, unclean thoughts, unclean hearts? We desperately need an angel to bring a live coal from off the altar and take away our iniquity. We desperately need our hearts to be cleansed.
Unfortunately, there are many rising up, proclaiming to be working for the good of the church, but the fruit of their work is not good. Yes, there's a lot of "demolition work" going on against the church today, especially across the social media and news networks. But this is serious business! The Bible says, “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matt 12:36) WOW! The Bible also says, "We shall know them by their fruits!" Is good fruit being born?
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22) I think we need to pause and ask ourselves, “Do these words and conversations truly glorify God? Do they display the patient self-sacrificing spirit of Christ? Are they giving Him a fragrant offering? Furthermore, are they bearing the fruit of the Spirit?” If they are bearing the fruit of the Spirit they will be edifying not undermining, they will be spoken in humility not with an attitude, and they will bring greater healing and unity to God’s church rather than sowing discord, doubt, and greater discontent. Even if we don’t always agree with decisions made, if we truly love God and love His church, we won’t get caught up in caustic discussions. Instead we will watch our lips and we will evaluate the fruit of others words and actions.
We have lots of praying that we need to do right now! And as I said in the beginning, we need to pray for the living coal from off the altar to purge away our sin!
Tomorrow's Reading: Isa. 8-9 and Ps. 102
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