Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Not being fluent in Greek I don’t know the nuances of the original here, but it’s interesting that the Japanese gives “cleanse our consciences” as one thing and “separate us from dead acts” as another. However that part is interpreted, there is universal agreement that the purpose of what Christ did was to enable us to serve the living God. We tend to separate “serving God” from “having fellowship with God,” when actually they can’t be separated. It is impossible to serve God as He desires without having sweet, joyful fellowship with Him, and it is impossible to have true fellowship with Him without serving Him. That’s why Jesus said that those who claim to have served Him, but failed to have fellowship with Him, will be sent away in the Judgment. (Matthew 7:21-23) It is only in fellowship with Him that we really understand what He wants us to do, so anything less is just doing our own thing. Yesterday’s message was on “Walking with God,” based on Micah 6:8. We have clear, simple instructions on how to get started on a life of fellowship/service, but it must be our choice to live that way. When we have made that choice, God will take it from there and grow us in our capacity for both fellowship and service, for our great blessing and His glory.

I tried to get this point across in the message yesterday, but God alone is the judge of how successful I was. I myself had a practicum on the issue in the afternoon and evening, experiencing a bit of burnout because of failing to walk in fellowship while I was caught up in serving. That’s no fun! This year’s Christmas season has been more relaxed than most in quite some time for me, but that certainly doesn’t mean I don’t still need to grow in trusting obedience! This week has few set obligations, but conversely it is open for opportunities for ministry and service. I am not to resent the service, but rather focus on the fellowship that makes true service possible.

Father, thank You for yesterday and all it held, both what was enjoyable at the time and what was less so. Help me walk in such fellowship with You that nothing will shake my peace, or even joy. May I be so in touch with You that I know and do what You desire each moment, for my blessing and the blessing of those around me, and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!