"i can't get no satisfaction"
"At the moment you are completely satisfied." —1 Corinthians 4:8
In the USA, it has been legal for decades to murder millions of babies each year. Our country is struggling to protect the definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. The Catholic Church has been publicly racked by scandal and is suffering a serious shortage of priests. The body of Christ has been fractured by centuries of disunity. The name of God is routinely taken in vain on the airwaves. Sexual sin is flaunted. "That is the present state of affairs" (1 Cor 4:13).
Why do we tolerate this? Don't we know who we are? We are disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In Him we have immeasurable power (Eph 1:19). In Jesus we can conquer evil (Rm 8:37; 1 Jn 5:5) and attack the gates of hell, which cannot withstand us (Mt 16:18).
Are you "satisfied"? (1 Cor 4:8) Are you fighting hard for the faith or hardly fighting? (Jude 3) Are you a spiritual sluggard or a spiritual slugger? Repent deeply. Put out into the deep (Lk 5:4) in your discipleship. Fast more intensely. Pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17) and without losing heart (Lk 18:1). Throw yourself into your marriage and parenting. Teach your children the faith (Prv 22:6). Have more children and raise them to be committed disciples of Jesus. Reach new levels in forgiveness. Bear insults patiently (1 Cor 4:12); refuse to tolerate evil (Rm 12:9). Do not grow lazy and satisfied, for you serve Almighty God (Rm 12:11). "I am writing you in this way not to shame you but to admonish you" (1 Cor 4:14).
Prayer: Jesus, why do I settle for defeat when You are my Captain? Replace my lethargy with zeal and fervor for You.
Promise: "The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath." —Lk 6:5
Praise: Roger prays daily for those who have continually caused him distress at his job.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2010
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