Song of the Day
“This I Believe“ by Hillsong Worship
Devotional thought
Philip Schaff, in his Creeds of Christendom, writes of the Apostles’ Creed, “As the Lord’s Prayer is the Prayer of prayers, the Decalogue is the Law of laws, so the Apostles’ Creed is the Creed of creeds. It contains all the fundamental articles of the Christian faith necessary to salvation, in the form of facts, in simple Scripture language, and in the most natural order—the order of revelation—from God and the creation down to the resurrection and life everlasting.” The simple doctrinal statements within this creed are clear and concise, and their meaning cannot be misconstrued.
Historic Creeds and Confessions, electronic ed. (Oak Harbor: Lexham Press, 1997).
Throughout the history of the Church there has been helpful recitals that people have spoken and adhered to called Creeds. These writings are confessions spoken by God’s people who affirm their message and live by their professions.
There are many of these Creeds found in various traditions, but the one I particularly like and adhere to is the Apostle’s Creed. It is packed full of truth and truly does sum up the Christian faith in a very helpful and concise confession!
Although I do love the content and confession of this Creed, or any other statement of faith that is Biblically accurate and helpful, I also recognize that these Creeds can become more of a tradition of truth than of a motivational confession that defines the lifestyle we live. See, unless we are allowing these truths to define our lifestyle, they are meaningless! Reciting truth for truth’s sake is not what is intended by these confessions, they are intended to transform our lives!
Jesus said that the truth will set us free. So when we recite the Creed, or Scripture verses, the hope and intention of this practice is to allow the truths that proceed from our mouths to penetrate the very fabric of our lives in such a way that we actually begin living according to our profession!
- What does it matter if Christ was raised from the dead if we aren’t applying that resurrection power to our life?
- How does the fact that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One impact us daily?
- When we say we believe in the Holy Catholic Church (which means the Church universal, not the religion) and the communion of the saints, how does our life reflect our belief in such a truth?
My point is simply this; if truth is spoken and perceived but never actually applied to our daily activities, then it is utterly unhelpful and meaningless! There are many so-called religious people confessing platitudes that are ever learning but never actually coming to the knowledge of truth. Why, because Truth is a person, Jesus Christ, and when that Person becomes more than a truth we recite into more of a way of life for us than these confessions will absolutely and completely transform us from the inside out!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for being the God of Truth! I seek to apply these truths I am learning to my life Lord, and I need You to help me live out these confessions through Your power! I want the Truth to be more than words on a paper Lord, I want it to be a lifestyle that I live. I trust You Lord Jesus to be the very Truth I seek, and I surrender myself to You always. In Your Name, amen.
Scripture to reflect upon
(Please hover, or click onto, the Scriptures to read the specified text!)
- John 1:18,
- Deut 6:4,
- 1 Tim 3:16,
- Romans 10:9,
- Acts 17:3,
- 1 Cor 15:1-8,
- John 8:32,
Memory Verse
