Greetings in the name of the One whose eyes are like burning fire, Jesus Christ – THE Crucified and Risen Saviour! I trust that you had a good weekend and Monday-Tuesday…and I pray that you are healthy, safe and blessed! What a lovely day…right now and right here…in the Kingdom! — and I know that that could change so quickly. There is much happening in our world – snowstorms to terrorist attacks to political turmoil to the pain of life on earth — so as I pray for you today, I will ask Father to quiet you in His love and to cover you with His peace!
I like “words’ and I like to know the various meanings and nuances of the word. I especially like words that can be applied to Christian living. In the past few days, I have been introduced to the word – “acedia”, a Greek word from which we bet the word ‘sloth’. Sloth, joins “pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed” to form the seven deadly sins. I know, I know – I read some strange things.” “Sloth” – “acedia” is more than it appears, for the easy definition is: laziness, avoidance of work, idleness, and listlessness. Now, I said that I like words that touch the life of a Christian, so if we open-up the word “acedia” to the spiritual realm, something interesting is displayed. “Acedia” can now be translated – “spiritual lethargy” or “apathy” or “I don’t care any more.”
This is the condition of the church in North America and Europe that has many observers concerned. It would seem that the fire and passion that was so dominant in the church is ‘cooling-off’ and many don’t even realize it…or even give it a second thought. I shared this past Monday at prayer time from Jeremiah 2:2 and Revelation 2:4-5 that God is provoked when the fire of our love for Him grows cold. I am challenged to ask myself and others…are you suffering from “acedia” – spiritual lethargy, is the intensity of your personal relationship with God ‘cooled-off’?
Scripture offers some words of advice – one by word of testimony and one by word of exhortation: “My soul ( all my being ) followeth hard after you; thy right hand (the hand of strength and power) upholdeth me” Psalm 63:8 KJV and :”For this reason I remind you the kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you…” 2 Timothy 1:6 NASB. This world caters to the selfish, independent, and self-righteous spirit of mankind. We want to be self-sufficient and relying-on no one kind of people. The Bible is very clear…we need to be in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ that is nurtured and kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit…and we need to honor, submit to, and trust each other. We need to be ‘stirred’!
Be blessed!