PRAYER PRACTICE
SPOKEN PRAYER: Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Are We Judged Equally?
by Pr. Dave Mann
On the Last Day, will all humanity be judged equally? You may be surprised, but the answer to the question is “No!” Some of us will be judged more strictly than others. We will be judged fairly – that is for sure. But some of us have had more resources than others and therefore will be expected to have used them in a way that is appropriate. In addition, some of us have been granted positions of authority and influence. What we have done in such positions will show what benefit or harm we have shared or inflicted upon others.
Malachi states clearly that the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. If those of us who have been placed in the calling of a priest, pastor, preacher, or teacher, we need to take that vocation seriously and do our best to share the Word of God with clarity and accuracy.
James, the New Testament writer, no doubt, was familiar with Malachi’s writing and therefore writes in a similar vein – "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (James 3:1)
Jesus himself saved his harshest rebukes for the religious leaders of his day. See Luke 20:46-47 and Matthew 23.
So, I have two exhortations. If you find yourself in a role of influence in the lives of others, seek to live out your life in a way that is worthy. Having influence is fulfilling, but it is also challenging. Do not take your role lightly.
If you do not consider yourself an influencer, pray for those who are. They need the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen them and to give them understanding and communication skills.
Lord Jesus, we pray for all those to whom you have called to serve as teachers of your Word. Save them from the evil one and give them joy in leading people to know and to practice your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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