The Making of Spiritual Warrior - Week 5 - Monday Morning Devotions
Good morning and welcome to Daily Chapel - today's focus is on 'The Making of a Spiritual Warrior.' Martin Luther did not envisage the spiritual life in active terms as a process of self-development but in passive terms as a process of reception from the Triune God. In it, self-sufficient individuals became beggars before God. If we attempt to gain eternal life with God through rational speculation and spiritual self-development, we will commit spiritual suicide. Those who use their reason and their intellect to make a ladder for their ascent into heaven, will, like Lucifer, plunge themselves and others into hell instead.
Please allow God's Spirit to speak to you as you listen to Psalm 119, beginning with verse 137.
137 Righteous are you, O Lord, and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.
144 Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live.
The Holy Spirit teaches us through the various uses of the Law - or what God demands. There are three uses of the Law. The first use is like a curb along the road - it keeps the cautious driver on the roadway. This first use is written upon the hearts of mankind. The second use of the Law is like a mirror. One is to look in the mirror and compare one's actions or failures to act with God's commands to love - love Him above everything else and to love one's neighbor as oneself.
The third use of the Law is for the Christian Spiritual Warrior - the one who has come to know and trust in Jesus as one's Lord and Savior. This third use is like a map to guide one along life's trials and temptations. Jesus, when tempted by the Evil One, used God's Sacred Word to defend against the snares and the troubles of this life.
Please pray with me: Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and take them to heart that, by the patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.