Today is the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.
Today's readings are Psalm 55:12-19, Nehemiah 5:1-16; 6:1-9, 15-16, and 1 Timothy 4:1-16.
There's a theological term which comes to mind with today's reading from 1 Timothy 4. It is "antinomianism." That's a kind of big word for the habit of saying God's law doesn't really count. But the term can also apply to those who have departed from the faith as Paul discusses in 1 Timothy 4. Notice that these people have left the faith by requiring observance of laws which God does not require. These people are as opposed to God's law as those who say we keep no laws. On both sides of the spectrum we end up denying what our Lord has revealed as his will.
What is the solution? As with Timothy, we do well to devote ourselves to the reading of Scripture. We trust that our Lord will work in us with all the gifts he has given us, especially with the words of life in the Bible. We seek to live according to God's Word, no feeling the need to add rules as a safeguard. No, may God's commands be his commands, that we may see our frailty and look to him for forgiveness and grace.
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