Month: December 2012

RE Verse reading–Mark 1:1-11 (day six)
“John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey”  (vs 6)  John’s message was a challenge.  He charged that Israel had sinned against God thus needing repentance and cleansing (symbolized in baptism).  Such a message required a life of integrity.  Rather than the softness and selfishness, he lived a life of austerity and self-discipline.  It gave his message great influence.  None of us can separate our life-styles from our message.  If we live self-indulgently this is what others will hear, regardless of what we say.  In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul makes a similar claim.  “Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit. . .just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you.”  In order for the gospel to have the influence that God intends, we must be in the world but not of it.