Friday, October 17, 2008

New book-new theme

I am reading now from Philippians, continuing in The Message. Sometimes when I read something that Peterson puts in today's language, I go back to the NIV to see what was there. Remarkably, he is pretty much on the mark. It encourages me that God's word transcends time.
Phillipians 1:9-11
So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

Much of today's passage is tied up in the word "discernment" in the NIV. If we all would just test our feelings to see that they are sincere and intelligent, our lives would be lived with fewer regrets. I want to live a life "bountiful in fruits from the soul." I want people to look at my life and see Jesus.

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