August 15, 2023

He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

 

Romans 2:6-8

Devotional

For exercise, to try and keep my heart in good physical condition, one of the things I do with some regularity is ride a bike. I’m a road cyclist, seasonally riding the streets of Sandy Springs and Buckhead (relax, it is EARLY in the morning—5:30ish—when few cars are on the roads, and I have multiple front and rear lights; you can’t NOT see me!). As a rather competitive soul, I have a computer on my bike that records my rides, and I keep a log at home in which I track my workouts. One of the things I watch is my average speed.


One of the problems I face is that the final quarter mile to my driveway has three hills, two of which are pretty steep and tough. They destroy my average speed. A quarter mile from home it can be one thing, and when I get home it has dropped by three miles an hour. Ugh.


I have learned through the years that it does not take much at all to erase progress, and once that progress is erased, it is a slog to regain it—not only on the bike, but in the life of faith.


Paul reminds the follower in Rome that it takes patience, diligence and humility to “keep the average up.” Self-centered attitudes and ungodly behavior do nothing to help us find the life we really want.

For Reflection


What evidence do you see here that God’s kindness has led to presumptive behavior rather than repentance?

 

Would you say that your “average spiritual walk” is staying strong, or are there “hills” that are tripping you up? How can your trust Jesus to help you overcome the hills?

Prayer


Lord, help me today to trust you with my life, and all that is a part of it; let me live today with confidence in the guidance of your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dr. Chuck Roberts
Senior Associate Pastor
404-842-5883