There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood. [Genesis 10:32]
Just like God originally intended, the people are spreading out.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. [Genesis 1:28]
God’s plan was always to fill the world with His love, as expressed through His image-bearing children.
God made them good, and wanted to spread this goodness through us.
But now that sin has infected the human heart, what are they spreading with them?
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [Acts 1:8]
Jesus comes to fix what humanity ruined; He comes as the last Adam to set things right, to start a new family of people who are once again like God.
With the Spirit of God in them, they are now to spread out into the world and fill it with His love and goodness.
Wherever we go, whatever we do, whoever we are with – we are sent there by God.
But what are we spreading with us?
The new testament (the time after Jesus) is the story of the spreading church, moving from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria to the ends of the earth.
God’s family has multiplied throughout the ages, the church today is like the sons of Noah, spreading out over the earth.
But like Noah’s family, even Jesus family has been mixed, and not everyone has been spreading His goodness and love.
We can only spread what we have in us, just like they did.
Either we spread the spirit of the flesh, or the Spirit of Jesus.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. [Galatians 5:19-21]
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [Galatians 5:22-25]
So what am I spreading, what am I filling the earth with?
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to understand and experience the fullness of Your Spirit, so that my life more and more looks like You, and THAT is what I spread wherever I go.