Peripatetic

James 1: 22-25

22. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24. And, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.

My son and I were researching on Ptolemy, the ancient astronomer, mathematician and philosopher. History records his unique behavior as being peripatetic. It means a person who talks when he walks. Ptolemy was known for being peripatetic. Apart from being an intellectual, he might have been very hyper active. His contributions to science have been an authority for centuries.

The passage above reminds us of our spiritual walk. The Word of God is like a mirror, which shows us as we are with all the beautiful aspects as well as blemishes. If we don’t pause and reflect on our image that is tarnished and considering in whose image we are created, it is difficult for us to be the people of God out there in the world. Just reading the Word is not enough, but obeying and practicing is very vital. Before we go pointing other’s mistakes, it is imperative that we assess ourselves against Christ’s scale, practicing living accordingly, and changing our attitudes. Only then we are worthy to be called the children of God.

We, who are good at preaching, talking but not practicing living out our faith on a day – to – day basis, we should start living out our faith. Being kind and merciful, loving, attentive, non-judgmental, long-suffering, standing firm on the side of truth of God during persecutions, and just imitating Christ in all ways, are some of the ways we can get started on living for Christ intentionally. By doing so, we are not only living out our faith but we are allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us.

Beloved, let us not just talk the talk but let us also walk the walk. That way, our lives reflect the love of Christ to the confused world around us. In the dark days that we are living in, people are walking dazed and confused as they are bombarded with numerous lies. Not many are aware of the absolute truth of God and the devil, on the other hand, is pushing people into a perpetual state of confusion. Even if truth is staring in their face, people are unable to believe it. That’s how severely this pandemic of confusion has infiltrated the minds of people, especially our youth. Truth has become relative when it should be absolute. Therefore, as believers, when we are out in the world, our lives if they reflect the love of Christ, the pandemic of confusion can be eradicated. People’s blindfolds will fall to the ground and they will embrace God’s absolute truth. Beloved, may our good Lord grant us His favor in order for us to be peripatetic.