Love Confirmed - John 13:35

John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV)

For the last two months, I have had the pastoral privilege of leading five young people in our church through the process of Confirmation. This coming Sunday all of them will stand before our congregation and make special vows, by publicly declaring their faith in Jesus and promising to follow in His footsteps as His disciples. It’s always a very sacred moment in the life of our church and it gives everyone a sense of accomplishment. Most of the young people in this group have grown up in our congregation, so their confirmation affirms the years of support and encouragement that they have been given from their families, both at home and in the congregation.

It will also be a time when the adults in the church should personally review their commitment to being followers of Christ. Discipleship is a life-long process and never ends until we leave the surly bonds of Earth. Each day should be an opportunity to learn more about God in order to apply our faith and effectively display our Christianity. For Jesus, being a disciple meant showing love to one another, so a faith which is devoid of this is a mere religious fabrication. If other people cannot see Christ’s love in our lives, then our faith has a credibility problem and will be seen as inauthentic.

I have a lot of hope for the young people who are being confirmed, as well as their older peers who have already been through this wonderful process. They seem to care more about one another and have a high sense of what is unfair, unjust, and untrue. The world and its environment deeply matter to them, so they expect those of us who declare ourselves as Christians to be actively involved in caring for our planet and for one another. What they do not expect from Christians is a hard-hearted and contemptible faith which treats others disrespectfully and vengefully discriminates against people who disagree with them. Young people loathe self-righteousness and reject all forms of greed. In my opinion, they are truer disciples of Christ because they understand that love is what generates faith in the first place, and not pride or fear.

Point to ponder

What does Christian discipleship mean to me? What does it actually mean to Jesus?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we want to be Your disciples and show the world how much we love You. You also call us to be Your disciples but want us to show love to one another. Help us to follow Your simple teaching; help us to truly love one another. In your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings called ‘Spirit 2019.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spirit2019.

Confirmation devotion: Confirming the Covenant - Exodus 24:7

Exodus 24:7   Then Moses took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."

            I love the aspect of Confirmation that takes place in Exodus 24. God has provided for the people through the blessings of deliverance, sustenance, and providence. They are beginning a new journey in the history of God’s people – a journey that will lead them eventually to the Promised Land. Moses has brought the Law to the people and given them beautiful rites in order to serve and worship God. It’s an historic time in the lives of the Jewish people. It’s a deeply significant and highly spiritual moment for the whole community.

            In the Presbyterian Church, Confirmation is the sealing of a beautiful process which begins with baptism. Years before Confirmation, parents bring their beloved child before God to be baptized before the holy community and make promises to bring up that child in the Christian faith. More than a decade later, usually around their first Senior High year, that same child confirms the promises which were made by her or his parents. It’s a beautiful sealing of a sacred and solemn ceremony. It’s a time of God’s grace and goodness upon the child.

            The start of Senior High is a major and daunting step in the life of any young person. There are many new challenges and changes to experience; there are some exciting times ahead and new responsibilities to encounter. In the midst of all of these social, cultural, peer, and educational changes, it’s wonderful to celebrate a deep spiritual rite which allows the child of God to become a confident, blessed, and beloved young person in the Church. Like the Hebrew people of old in Moses time, it becomes a sealing of a special covenant. It’s also the start of a new journey, not just of schooling, physicality, and emotions, but one grounded in Christian faith.

Questions for personal reflection

When did I experience a time of Confirmation? How did that special moment bring me closer to God?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are always with us from the day we are born to the time after we die. Your presence guides and encourages us at any stage in life or rite of passage. We thank You for the sacred blessings and holy covenants of faith that are graciously given and spiritually sealed in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully and thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s Lent drawings for 2013. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8476883057_ab5a9f9d78_b.jpg