Oct
12th
What do you want?
By Claire
I am currently studying the Gospel according to John. It's one of my favorite of the four Gospels because of its deep philosophical roots. John was an intellect, and the use of his words in the first 5 verses of the book shows the depth of his thought:
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The title or name he uses to place Jesus in these passages is the greek word "Logos." The greeks had used this word since the time of Socrates and before to describe "the Essence" or "the Originator." John boldly takes their language to proclaim to them that he, himself, had met the One and Only Word!
As humans we can fully comprehend the "man" Jesus. We know he grew tired, he got hungry, he was tempted, he laughed, he cried, he was disappointed, and he faced fear. He prayed. He communed. He observed the Passover. What we struggle with is comprehending the Infinite Christ -- the undiminished Deity that resided here on earth in a man's body. We can only comprehend the finite -- because the finite can not comprehend the infinite. It's OK though because Paul later reminds us that we see dimly in a mirror, but one day we will know Him face to face.
After studying and contemplating those thoughts, I was actually taken back by a much more subtle passage in the first chapter of this marvelous love letter, penned by one who loved Jesus and who was deeply loved by Jesus -- a love letter inspired by the Holy Spirit, and signed with love from the Father.
It is found later in the first chapter when John (the author of the Gospel) begins to follow Christ himself. He heard John the Baptist declare "Behold the Lamb of God!" John and Andrew immediately began their journey with the Lord. Jesus, knowing he was being followed, turned to both of them and said:
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The title or name he uses to place Jesus in these passages is the greek word "Logos." The greeks had used this word since the time of Socrates and before to describe "the Essence" or "the Originator." John boldly takes their language to proclaim to them that he, himself, had met the One and Only Word!
As humans we can fully comprehend the "man" Jesus. We know he grew tired, he got hungry, he was tempted, he laughed, he cried, he was disappointed, and he faced fear. He prayed. He communed. He observed the Passover. What we struggle with is comprehending the Infinite Christ -- the undiminished Deity that resided here on earth in a man's body. We can only comprehend the finite -- because the finite can not comprehend the infinite. It's OK though because Paul later reminds us that we see dimly in a mirror, but one day we will know Him face to face.
After studying and contemplating those thoughts, I was actually taken back by a much more subtle passage in the first chapter of this marvelous love letter, penned by one who loved Jesus and who was deeply loved by Jesus -- a love letter inspired by the Holy Spirit, and signed with love from the Father.
It is found later in the first chapter when John (the author of the Gospel) begins to follow Christ himself. He heard John the Baptist declare "Behold the Lamb of God!" John and Andrew immediately began their journey with the Lord. Jesus, knowing he was being followed, turned to both of them and said:
38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"39"Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
The disciples answered Jesus' question with a question. I don't know about you, but I often do that when I am not quite sure how to answer.
It sounds like such an easy question, doesn't it? Yet, a man of high intellect like John is bewildered for a moment (or so that's my take on it) when he looks into the face of eternity and is asked by the voice of his Savior "What do you want?"
This left me pondering how I would answer Jesus' question of me. Claire, What do you want? Would I say "Lord I want safety, security, financial prosperity, friends, love, life, happiness..." Would I call Him "Rabbi" (or teacher) and tell Him that I want feet that will follow Him no matter the cost? Would I tell Him "Savior, I want You, and anything else is just settling?"
What would you tell your Savior today? What do you want?
Sep
11th
Walking in Grace
By Sara
For the past several days, I have been in tears several times and until this morning, I wasn't sure why. I kept feeling a heaviness on my heart and an utter despair. Lately I have felt unsure of whether I am making any difference in others' lives and whether or not my motives are even true.
You see, I have a problem with pride. And I am okay (sort-of) with admitting this. :) Though my heart is sincere, I believe, in wanting to serve Christ and to be a "good Christian," there are times that I believe I can do it on my own. And when I fail, I am frustrated beyond belief and end up wondering what sin in my life is keeping me from following the "rules" this time.
Have you ever felt that way? Wondering why, even after spending gobs of time reading the Bible, praying countless hours in the day and all through the night, having 5 quiet times, worshipping hours upon hours, fellowshiping with believers, serving God through some type of ministry, etc... you feel empty still, or that you can not do enough?
I decided to ask God to examine my heart. Let me just warn you - He is faithful to do what we ask of Him. :)
I said, "God, I feel like giving up. Has nothing really changed in my life after experiencing your salvation 7 years ago? Am I still the fake, unloving person with junk in my life that I've always been? I am a seminary student; I shouldn't still be doing things wrong. Lord, I need you to do something better with me."
This morning, I cried out to Him some more, and He answered. God said to me: "Sara, have you forgotten why I came to save you? Self-sufficiency always leads to self-righteousness, but My sufficiency leads to true righteousness. Let me live MY life THROUGH you. My Grace is enough."
Wow...what an epiphany.
So many of our efforts in being a Christian end up leading to complete disappointment when we feel that we don't "succeed." We pray our hearts out for the Lord to work in our lives, yet when things are still going wrong in some way, we think that we didn't pray enough, aren't good enough, or often, we even question our salvation. We wonder what we've done wrong, and we ask God why? We say we are sorry for whatever it is we've done wrong, then we rededicate our life to Him and promise to "do better." Its a continuous cycle of motivation --> condemnation --> rededication.
Somewhere along the way we (I) have forgotten that we are saved by Grace, and that this Grace cannot be earned no matter how hard we try because it is the gift of God! We ask Jesus to come into our hearts and lives by accepting this gift of Grace, then the rest of the time we live under the law, trying to keep a lot of rules so we can be good Christians.
The fact of the matter is, we are never going to be "good Christians" in our own eyes. We can never do enough good works, do enough praying, do enough reading our Bibles, to earn the love of Christ and His acceptance. And we can never be "successful" if we try to do it on our own.
For me, this is where my issue with pride comes in, thinking that because I am a Christian, I can keep all the rules on my own. Then I expect others around me to keep the rules, and I end up living under the Law instead of under Grace and witnessing to others NOT the Grace of God but the Law of God.
Today, I have surrendered my heart to what God wants to do through me, even if I look weak and insufficient in my own strength. I have decided to let the power of Jesus' righteousness run through my veins, instead of me trying to do it on my own. Today, and every day from here on out, I have chosen to walk in Grace, believing that Jesus Christ loves me, accepts me, and can use me despite my shortcomings and flaws.
Are you walking in Grace?
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
You see, I have a problem with pride. And I am okay (sort-of) with admitting this. :) Though my heart is sincere, I believe, in wanting to serve Christ and to be a "good Christian," there are times that I believe I can do it on my own. And when I fail, I am frustrated beyond belief and end up wondering what sin in my life is keeping me from following the "rules" this time.
Have you ever felt that way? Wondering why, even after spending gobs of time reading the Bible, praying countless hours in the day and all through the night, having 5 quiet times, worshipping hours upon hours, fellowshiping with believers, serving God through some type of ministry, etc... you feel empty still, or that you can not do enough?
I decided to ask God to examine my heart. Let me just warn you - He is faithful to do what we ask of Him. :)
I said, "God, I feel like giving up. Has nothing really changed in my life after experiencing your salvation 7 years ago? Am I still the fake, unloving person with junk in my life that I've always been? I am a seminary student; I shouldn't still be doing things wrong. Lord, I need you to do something better with me."
This morning, I cried out to Him some more, and He answered. God said to me: "Sara, have you forgotten why I came to save you? Self-sufficiency always leads to self-righteousness, but My sufficiency leads to true righteousness. Let me live MY life THROUGH you. My Grace is enough."
Wow...what an epiphany.
So many of our efforts in being a Christian end up leading to complete disappointment when we feel that we don't "succeed." We pray our hearts out for the Lord to work in our lives, yet when things are still going wrong in some way, we think that we didn't pray enough, aren't good enough, or often, we even question our salvation. We wonder what we've done wrong, and we ask God why? We say we are sorry for whatever it is we've done wrong, then we rededicate our life to Him and promise to "do better." Its a continuous cycle of motivation --> condemnation --> rededication.
Somewhere along the way we (I) have forgotten that we are saved by Grace, and that this Grace cannot be earned no matter how hard we try because it is the gift of God! We ask Jesus to come into our hearts and lives by accepting this gift of Grace, then the rest of the time we live under the law, trying to keep a lot of rules so we can be good Christians.
The fact of the matter is, we are never going to be "good Christians" in our own eyes. We can never do enough good works, do enough praying, do enough reading our Bibles, to earn the love of Christ and His acceptance. And we can never be "successful" if we try to do it on our own.
For me, this is where my issue with pride comes in, thinking that because I am a Christian, I can keep all the rules on my own. Then I expect others around me to keep the rules, and I end up living under the Law instead of under Grace and witnessing to others NOT the Grace of God but the Law of God.
Today, I have surrendered my heart to what God wants to do through me, even if I look weak and insufficient in my own strength. I have decided to let the power of Jesus' righteousness run through my veins, instead of me trying to do it on my own. Today, and every day from here on out, I have chosen to walk in Grace, believing that Jesus Christ loves me, accepts me, and can use me despite my shortcomings and flaws.
Are you walking in Grace?
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
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