christianity – Adventures in Biblical Thinking

To Obey or Not to Obey?

Second Edition: I have started editing posts from several years ago and reposting them. I am doing this for two reasons: (1) to make them more easily available and (2) to “spruce” them up a little. Enjoy!

…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15)

There is the dilemma that comes from being in two families. All believers who are children of God and members of God’s family are members of earthly families as well. Earthly families are very complex because, besides the simple family of father, mother, and children, there is the issue of extended family: grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and in-laws. In some way, each person is a member of all these family combinations. Each parent, each grandparent, and each in-law had a family of origin. Each of these family units had its unique set of “In this family, we ______.” Let us pause for a story to illustrate the impact of these family standards and traditions.

This story takes place in 2018 in England and relates to the marriage of Prince Harry and an American woman, Meghan Markel. I personally have not had much interest in following the adventures of the royal family, but I have noticed many headlines about “errors” that Meghan Markel had made in what she said or the clothes she wore. However, I did look more closely at one of these articles. What I discovered was that she had made an indiscretion by painting her fingernails a color. Apparently, the proper protocol for women in the royal family is not to have colored fingernails. Those of us looking on may think this is pretty petty, but family rules are family rules.

We may chuckle at this story, but each person has a maze of expectations based on “In this (earthly) family, we ____” that come from multiple sources. Let us analyze this with an example. The person I will create for our example is a forty-year-old married man. He will have received “In this family, we ____” messages from many sources. Follow along as we explore them. He will have received “In this family, we ____” messages from his family of origin, his mother and father. He will have received “In this family, we ____” messages from both his maternal and paternal grandparents. He will have received “In this family, we ____” messages from his wife based on the “In this family, we ____” messages she received from her parents and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

The intensity of the “In this family, we ____” messages is increased by the degree and frequency of contact with these extended family members. It is not hard to imagine that the “In this family, we ____” messages from such a variety of sources may sometimes conflict. For instance, what was common practice in his family of origin may be forbidden in his wife’s family of origin.

So, the question becomes: to which “In this family, we ______” message does this poor fellow yield? In-law jokes have some basis in personal experiences. Some family members may put great pressure on others to yield to their “In this family, we ____” messages. You can see that it could become difficult to sort out how and when to comply.

Since is about God’s family, why have I developed all this “stuff” about earthly families? I am guessing that you have figured out the answer. The “In this family, we ____” expectations for God’s children do not always match the “In this family, we ____” expectations of earthly families. This is the dilemma.

Ideally, if the members of the extended earthly family were all believers and had committed their lives to the “In this family, we ____” expectations of God’s family, there could be a great hope for harmony and little conflict. What are the chances? Yet there would still be a dilemma even if this proposed possibility of all members being committed to “In this family, we ____” expectations of the Lord were true because each member of the extended family is still a sinner in their flesh. Each believer is left with the task of addressing the conflict between the “In this family, we ____” expectations that come from their earthly extended families and the “In this family, we ____” expectations for the Lord’s children that are revealed in Scripture. The transformation through a renewing of the mind in each believer is a process that is in progress, contributing to our dilemma.

Let us pause and address a factor that has been implied but probably not clearly addressed. Whether we are talking about earthly families or Spiritual families, there is an expectation of obedience or compliance with every “In this family, we ____” message. There is also the consideration that failure to obey or comply will have some kind of consequence. That consequence may be severe. The severity could include punishment, expulsion, rejection, shunning, withdrawal of affection, loss of status, or loss of membership. (Quick point: In the Lord’s family, there is no danger of loss of membership or loss of affection.)

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).

It is important to recognize that when we comply or obey, we have acknowledged the existence of authority. We have acquiesced or surrendered to this authority. This is not necessarily bad. If the authority we are acquiescing to is the Lord, it is a good thing. If the authority is the earthly family system, it may be good or bad.

Let us insert here an example of authority from a story in Scripture.

There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So, Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well (Luke 7:2-10).

The centurion recognized how authority works, and he also recognized that the Lord Jesus had authority. Jesus commended the centurion for his faith in the authority of Jesus. “I tell you; I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

This story shows us that when a person submits to authority, that person is doing what the authority orders. “‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” I suspect that most of us do not really understand how authority works, even though we frequently submit to it.

Let us take a little sidebar here and look at Romans chapter 6. Another word for comply or obey is the word yield. I am going to list some verses from this chapter where the word yield is used. Sometimes the word yield indicates what should be yielded to, and other times it is used to indicate what not to yield to. Think about this matter for the word, yield.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God (Romans 6:13 KJV).

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16 KJV).

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness (Romans 6:19 KJV).

Let us look a little closer at the act of complying or obeying. Generally, we have a belief or faith that the authority knows best or is right. The exception may be if our compliance has been coerced by fear or intimidation. However, by faith, we assume that submission is the best and right thing to do. This is a safe assumption if the submission is to God. Interestingly, we may not be very aware of an actual willful decision on our part to comply or obey. Why is that?

Remember, we are members of an earthly family unit. Someone before our time made decisions about what fills in the blank for “In this family, we _____.” By the time we came along, the “In this family, we _____” had become part of the status quo. In other words, in this family, this is the way things are done. We were never given a say in establishing the expectations. Unless we choose to be rebellious, we just “go with the flow.”

One of the natural experiences of being part of a group is the development of “groupthink.” Since everyone in the group thinks alike, the thinking is reinforced and left unquestioned. Compliance is assumed, and lack of compliance is addressed by correction. Compliance seems easy, convenient, and appears to be safe.

So, what is the motivation for obedience or compliance? Let us look first at our earthly family. In light of our earlier discussion about consequences for noncompliance or disobedience, we must conclude that one motivation could be the negative motivation of fear. However, often the reward of being accepted and belonging is a powerful motivator for compliance. It feels good to be on the inside and bad to be on the outside.

Love and respect can be a positive motivator for obedience. A desire to honor others and be respectful is another positive motivation. Generally, within the family context, the perceived reward for compliance and obedience to the earthly family expectations outweighs the pull to be non-compliant or disobedient. Can you sense the pressure to comply in your family?

We cannot leave this discussion without addressing the motivation of those who are sending the message of expectation with the desire for earthly family members’ compliance. There are two parties in these transactions: you and them. We examined your motivations for compliance, and now let’s look at theirs. Thinking positively, we will assume that mostly their motivation is based on their concern for your best interests in safety and prosperity. But the bottom line is, either consciously or subconsciously, they want you to be like them. They want to make you in their own image. Aha!

Look at the significance of this “aha” when we think of being a member of the Lord’s family. First of all, by the act of creation, God chose to create mankind in His own image. When sin entered into God’s creation in the Garden of Eden, the image became marred. God’s solution was to rescue mankind by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross as a payment for the sins of mankind. Because God is Holy, the debt (penalty) of sin needed to be paid.

Since mankind was created in the image of God, mankind has free will. This free will is what allowed sin to happen in the first place. God mercifully offers salvation and re-entrance into God’s family with the offer to be born again given to whosoever will come. The goal of the Lord’s “In this family, we ______” is to change His children into the image of Christ.

Let us look at our Spiritual family. Since the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10), we cannot rule out fear of consequence for noncompliance or disobedience to the Lord’s, “In this family, we_______.” There is clearly a loss of blessing for not being compliant or obedient because we know there is a reward (blessing) for being compliant and obedient. One of those rewards, according to this verse, is knowledge of the holy (God). However, earlier, we mentioned that love is the common characteristic in the Lord’s “In this family, we_______.” “If you love me, keep my commands (John 14:15). I would conclude that a desire to show love for the Lord and to the Lord and to please Him is the proper motivation for the Lord’s children to comply and obey. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

What else could contribute to the dilemma? We have looked at the pressure in our earthly families for compliance and obedience to many, mostly unwritten, messages coming from a variety of family members. Could there be more? What about friends and associates? What about peer pressure? All of these relationships seem to have rules or guidelines connected with membership. Hence, “In this friend group, we ______” tends to happen.

Again, these rules or requirements are not generally written, but compliance is linked to belonging. We have the issue of “in-group” and “out-group.” We have all experienced these pressures. If the expectations are positive and productive, this may not be much of a problem. However, if the expectations are negative and nonproductive, this is a problem. Have you heard of gangs? Can you sense the pressure?

All earthly families are set in a culture. Individual family members may be set in several cultures. Cultures have norms. These norms are really expectations of “In this culture, we_____.” Membership in a culture carries with it the expectation of compliance and obedience. A person can be a member of several cultures at once. Some cultures even have uniforms. The media is a major player in culture. In both news and advertising, the media is trying to influence us. The place of employment has a culture. Have you heard of workplace culture? Can you sense the pressure?

Let us discuss norms a little more. With the use of the word “norm,” I am sure you are thinking it means what is normal, right? I teach courses in classroom management for teachers, and one of the recommended practices is to clearly establish classroom norms for student behaviors. Whenever I taught a face-to-face class, I established norms in the first session. Similarly, the recommended practice for leading a professional development seminar is to establish agreed-upon norms and write them down for the group at the very beginning of the session. With adults, this can be handled as a group discussion to set agreements about acceptable behavior. These can be very mundane things: turn off cell phones or set them on vibrate, leaving for the restroom, etc., or they can be behavioral: no sidebar conversations while someone else is talking or simply talking one at a time. You can see that establishing norms can create stability and enhance productivity. Norms are meant to be followed by members of the group. Can you sense the pressure?

We are not through yet. Most earthly families live in a community. You guessed it! Communities have a culture. As members of a community, people are exposed to “In this community, we ______.” Status as a good citizen of the community may be based on compliance and obedience. Have you heard of HOAs? Can you sense the pressure?

Another example. Most earthly families are citizens of a governmental entity. For most Americans, this consists of the city, county, state, and federal governments. Many of their expectations are in writing and are recognized as ordinances, regulations, and laws. Compliance is expected and there are consequences for noncompliance. The result is “In this governmental entity, we______.” Have you heard of police and courts? Can you sense the pressure?

One more source of influence and messages for most people is their educational experience. The schools we attend and their teachers have provided messages about expectations for attitudes and behaviors. The teachers function from a position of authority, and students are a captive audience. Compliance with what is taught is expected. Students are tested because they are expected to know what was taught. Can you sense the pressure?

Wow! As we set out to solve the dilemma between the earthly family’s “In this family, we______” expectations and the Lord’s “In this family, we______” expectations that we encounter in this world, we can grasp the magnitude of the dilemma. To be clear, when I refer to the earthly family’s “In this family, we______” expectations, you understand this phrase is representative of not only the messages and expectations of our family of origin but also includes the whole package of influencers. The milieu of the family of origin, extended family, peers, friends, community, culture, government, and schools is complex, convoluted, and confusing. This milieu is often identified in Scripture as the world. The choice to prefer and comply with the Lord’s “In this family, we______” creates an unavoidable confrontation with the earthly family’s “In this family, we______” expectations.

I am sure that I have not included all categories of influencers, and perhaps you can think of others. We have already mentioned that these sources are not necessarily in agreement. What about those who have the family name but do not seem to demonstrate family characteristics? What about family members who are estranged and disloyal? Of this we can be sure, they too are shaping your and my perception of who we are as individuals.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Thoughts About Suffering for Jesus

It seems it would be negligent to begin the subject of suffering without addressing the suffering of Jesus. The physical suffering of Pilate’s scourging and the crucifixion on the cross is graphically pictured in everyone’s mind who has contemplated the ordeal. No one can grasp what the suffering must have been like for Jesus to bear the judgment for the sins of all of mankind.

We know that physically Jesus suffered from being tired, hungry, and thirsty. We know He rested with sleep, He ate, and He drank in response to this suffering. As those who are created in the image of God, all can identify with these experiences. Jesus experienced these kinds of sufferings because He had a body. He was conceived in Mary’s womb, born a baby, and grew up to adulthood.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

With that as a backdrop, I want to examine this verse.

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered (Hebrews 5:8 NLT).

Notice three words: learn, obedience, and suffer. Jesus is God’s Son, and Jesus is God. As God, Jesus has all the attributes of God. Since Jesus is God, He possesses all knowledge. He knows everything, and He has always known everything and will always know everything. So, how could He learn? Learning has to do with gaining knowledge. Before a person learns, they do not know and after they learn, they do know. Think about that.

Consider obedience. An attribute of God is His sovereignty. As a Sovereign God answers to no one. That means God must obey no one. Yet Jesus learned to obey through suffering. Jesus was always obedient.

I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me (John 14:31).

I included this examination of Hebrews 5:8 for reasons that will become apparent.

Now, we explore suffering for Jesus. The first thing that comes to mind is the history of Christian martyrs. Stephen was the first martyr (Acts 6 and 7). Tradition tells us that all the apostles except John were martyred. History is filled with accounts of Christians being martyred. In many parts of the world, Christians are still being martyred. To be killed because you are a Jesus follower is the ultimate suffering. Jesus gave this warning and explanation to His disciples.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me (John 15:18-21).

Christians have experienced torture and discrimination, and this is still happening today. In Hebrews 11, the chapter that is the Faith Hall of Fame, those persons who faithfully experienced suffering are commended.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect (Hebrews 11:39-40).

I am very thankful that I have never experienced any of this kind of suffering. However, I have gained a new concept of what constitutes suffering for Jesus. It begins with an expanded view of what constitutes suffering. Elizabeth Elliot defines suffering as “having what you don’t want and not having what you want.” It seems natural to want what you want when you want it. Since we all have a will, we exercise it with what we do and what we want to do. I believe that this type of suffering is common to everyone.

How could this kind of suffering be linked to suffering for Jesus? How could this concept of suffering be applied to a Jesus follower? Obviously, a Jesus follower wants to be following Jesus and wants to obey and please Him. Therefore, the will and wants of the Jesus follower want to be aligned with the will and wants of Jesus. Jesus followers dwell in a hostile world that is opposed to God. Jesus followers understand that this world is not their home and they are destined for eternal life in the presence of Jesus, where there will be no sin and this place will not be hostile. However, for now, the Jesus follower is in a waiting pattern, but God has a plan for them in their present place. The plan is to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).

How does suffering play into this transformation? We will look at a couple of passages.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do (James 1:2-8 NLT).

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5).

When troubles and suffering come into the Jesus follower’s life, they bring an invitation to seek the Lord for guidance and wisdom. This is an act of faith and trust. This is an opportunity to have faith in God alone, confident that God, who controls everything, has allowed the trouble and suffering for the Jesus follower’s good. The good news is that the Lord will generously give the requested wisdom.

The troubles and suffering are also purposeful. Look at this list of purposes.

faith grows
endurance is fully developed
you will be perfect and complete
need nothing
receive wisdom
produces perseverance
produces perseverance
produces character
produces hope
produces not ashamed
God’s love poured out into our hearts

In light of all the benefits that are received through troubles and suffering, the Jesus follower can look forward to the opportunity to respond positively to these troubles and suffering. Practically, when we do not receive what we want, whether a big deal or a little deal, we have an opportunity to turn that suffering into a chance to turn to the Lord Jesus in faith. When we receive what we do not want, whether a big deal or a little deal, we have an opportunity to turn that suffering into a chance to turn to the Lord Jesus in faith.

Interestingly, “something” else is involved. The Apostle Paul could be considered the champion of suffering for Jesus. This is how he described his suffering experiences.

…I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm (2 Corinthians 11:23-27 NLT).

The “something” else is comfort. There is comfort received in trouble and suffering that comes from a compassionate God. Then the Jesus follower can take the comfort they received from God and use it to comfort other Jesus followers in their troubles and suffering.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

Somehow, the trouble and suffering become a sharing in the suffering of Jesus. In the process, each Jesus follower learns obedience in their suffering. Remember this verse.

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered (Hebrews 5:8 NLT).

Responding in faith to troubles and suffering yields obedience, and obedience is an expression of love.

If you love me, obey my commandments (John 14:15 NLT).

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3 NLT)

Thoughts About Suffering for Jesus

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

With that as a backdrop, I want to examine this verse.

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered (Hebrews 5:8 NLT).

I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me (John 14:31).

I included this examination of Hebrews 5:8 for reasons that will become apparent.

How does suffering play into this transformation? We will look at a couple of passages.

The troubles and suffering are also purposeful. Look at this list of purposes.

faith grows
endurance is fully developed
you will be perfect and complete
need nothing
receive wisdom
produces perseverance
produces perseverance
produces character
produces hope
produces not ashamed
God’s love poured out into our hearts

Interestingly, “something” else is involved. The Apostle Paul could be considered the champion of suffering for Jesus. This is how he described his suffering experiences.

Somehow, the trouble and suffering become a sharing in the suffering of Jesus. In the process, each Jesus follower learns obedience in their suffering. Remember this verse.

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered (Hebrews 5:8 NLT).

Responding in faith to troubles and suffering yields obedience, and obedience is an expression of love.

If you love me, obey my commandments (John 14:15 NLT).

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3 NLT)

Think about The Will

What do the Holy Scriptures say about the will?

Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42).

The Word of God identified the will of the Father and the will of the Son in this verse. The context is Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before He was taken by the chief priests and then on to the cross of Calvary. Notice that Jesus submitted His will to the will of the Father. The meaning of the word, will, is used to express a desire, a choice, or a determined act of choice. The Father has a will, Jesus has a will, and every individual has a will.

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own (John 7:17).

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

The Word of God tells us that if a person is willing to do God’s will, that person will know what to do. A key to knowing the will of God is using the renewed mind of a born-again believer through the Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer.

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

The Word of God explains that it is God in the believer that creates the will and also the ability to please the Lord.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance(2 Peter 3:9).

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish(Matthew 18:14).

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:13-14).

The Word of God tells us that the will of God is that none should perish. Notice the born-again experience that results in becoming a child of God is not based on the will of man but rather on the will of God. Recall that in John 3:16, the giving of the one and only Son was so that the world would not perish. Remember: Spiritual perishing stops, and eternal life, both spiritual and physical, begins for you and me when we believe in the one and only Son whom God gave to the world that He loves.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created (James 1:18).

The Word of God says that it was by His own will that He chose through His word of truth that we are born.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5: 18).

The Word of God states that is God’s will for us to give thanks in everything.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ (Ephesians 1:3-10).

The Word of God introduces the concept of the mystery of His will. The mystery of the good pleasure of His will is revealed in that He has blessed believers with all spiritual blessings, chosen believers before the foundation of the world, and made believers His children. Also, through the good pleasure of His will, He has made believers accepted in the Beloved through redemption through His blood, and forgiveness of sins by the richness of His grace. Wow! What a blessing for believers to be the beneficiaries of His will.

The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen(Isaiah 14:24).

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare (Psalms 40:5).

The Word of God in the Old Testament tell us that the Lord’s thoughts and plans toward His people of the Jewish nation were good and beyond understanding.

who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen (Galatians 1:4-5).

The Word of God declares that it is God’s will for His children to be delivered from this present evil world.

What others are saying:

Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest tells us:

The first fundamental characteristic of the mighty nature of God is will; consequently, when God’s Spirit comes into our spirit, we can will to do what God wants us to do. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (page 376).

Will is the essence of personality, and in the Bible will is always associated with intelligence and knowledge and desire. The will of a saint is not to be spent in dissipation in spiritual luxuries, but in concentration upon God (page 377).

Whenever our spiritual life is unsatisfactory it is because we have said to God— “I won’t.” (page 378).

Further thoughts:

We have been made aware that there are two wills, the will of God and the will of the individual man. The secret to a spiritual life and walk of faith is for the will of the individual to be submitted to the will of the Lord. The primary way to do this is to will to do what the Lord has revealed as His will in the Holy Scriptures.

The Vine

The Passage

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:1-8).

Summary

Jesus uses a model that would be familiar to His audience, with a vineyard. They would be aware of the pruning process done each season. Jesus’ audience is His disciples. Starting in Chapter 13, go through Chapter 16. Jesus is giving intense instructions to His disciples. In this illustration, Jesus is clearly the vine. Disciples are the branches. The Father is the pruner. Some branches are cut completely off, and others are trimmed. The branches that are completely cut off are the branches that bear no fruit. The branches that are trimmed are trimmed so they will bear more fruit. All that is cut off bears no fruit because they are no longer attached to the vine, which is Jesus.

This is a great abiding passage that talks about the relationship between Jesus and His followers. Jesus clearly states that He is the vine and His disciples are the branches. Jesus goes on at the end of this chapter and in the following chapters to explain the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He goes into the rough times of persecution ahead for Jesus followers. This abiding message is repeatedly and extensively developed in the epistles.

So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves (Galatians 5:16).

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Jesus followers have become new creations with the Spirit of God dwelling in them. Grasping the truth of this understanding makes the other teachings of Jesus and the rest of the New Testament make sense.

Oswald Chambers in Still Higher for His Highest states:

The vine is of no value if it is not fruitful: trees which are not fruit-bearing are excellent for other purposes, but not so the vine which is fit only for fruit or fire. What God burns is not weakness, not imperfection, but perverted goodness. Fruit is the manifestation of the essential nature of the tree, and our human lives are meant to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, which is literally, the life of God in me, invading me, producing fruit for His Glory. “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit (page 148).

Think about The Truth

What do the Holy Scriptures say about truth?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus (Ephesians 4:21)

The Word of God declares that Jesus is the truth.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

The Word of God states that knowledge of the truth results in freedom. Mankind does not create truth. Truth exists outside mankind and comes from God. Truth is to be found, recognized, believed, and obeyed. This is why it is so important to seek God’s truth, because it is the only truth.

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own (John 7:17).

The Word of God indicates that knowledge of the truth is linked with obedience to God’s will.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John 16:13).

The Word of God identifies the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth. Jesus is telling the disciples that after He leaves them with the ascension that the Holy Spirit will come to them and guide them into all truth and reveal things to come. The rest of the New Testament testifies that this promise of Jesus came true.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17).

The Word of God proclaims that the Scriptures are truth, and the truth is used to set believers apart.

…Let God be true, and every human being a liar… (Romans 3:4).

if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself (2 Timothy 2:13)

The Word of God says if every man were a liar, God would still be true.

Further thoughts:

Thankfully, truth does exist. Truth is real. Truth is pure. Truth is exclusive. Witnesses in the courtroom are asked to make an oath to: “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God.” If the witness fails to keep the oath, they are guilty of perjury. When you stop to think about the fact that sin came into our world with Satan’s lie to Eve, the truth is really very valuable. I believe that we all have an inward drive to seek truth, and this probably comes from being created in the image of God.

This is a principle that illustrates the importance of believing the truth. The principle is that belief drives practice. Simply stated, this means that what we choose to believe will influence our decisions and actions, and practices. Said backwards, whatever we do is determined by what we believe.

Truth means proper direction. Truth means freedom. Truth means safety. Truth means acting with godly behavior. Not only is the Lord Jesus the truth, but through the Holy Spirit, the truth is revealed to all believers. The truth is found in the Word of God and is to be learned and then believed, and then obeyed. Praise God!

What others are saying:

Let’s delight in a few quotes from Oswald Chambers from My Utmost for His Highest about the truth.

Truth is not a particular statement; Truth is a Person, “I am the Truth. (page 364).

Truth is not a system, not a constitution, nor even a creed; the Truth is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and He is the Truth about the Father just as He is the Way of the Father. (page 363).

The one great Truth to keep steadfastly before us is the Lord Jesus Christ; He is the Truth. Only the whole truth is The Truth; any part of the truth may become error. If you have a ray of light on The Truth, never call it the whole truth, follow it up, and it will lead you to the central Truth, the Lord Jesus Christ. (page 363).

In my book, The Mystery of Godliness, I make this observation:

Remember the oath used in court, “Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Also, most lies have some element or appearance of some truth to provide enough credibility to deceive. The truth we are talking about is God’s truth (thought, word, and deed). (page 29).

The Other “I am’s” of Jesus

In the Gospel of John, Bible teachers, preachers, and Christian writers have identified and taught the seven “I am” statements that Jesus made. Here they are:

I AM the bread of life
I AM the light of the world
I AM the gate
I AM the Good Shepherd
I AM the resurrection and the life
I AM the way, the truth, and the life
I AM the vine

Each of these “I am’s” is a profound truth. I have noticed there are other statements of Jesus in which He uses the term, “I am”. We will explore these statements and look for profound truths or interesting points. It is important to acknowledge that “I am” is in the present tense. Jesus is eternally present.

You will notice that many profound truths are repeated. Repetition often indicates importance. Sometimes the repetition occurs because Jesus is speaking to different audiences.

The Passages

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you (John 14:20).

Profound Truth: Jesus is in the Father.

Profound Truth: Jesus followers are in Jesus.

Profound Truth: Jesus is in Jesus followers.

Profound Truth: This passage illustrates the wonder of oneness.

Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he (John 4:26).

Profound Truth: Jesus is confirming to the Samaritan woman that He is the Messiah.

Interesting Point: Jesus revealed Himself to the Samaritan woman, a woman with a reputation, and her name is not revealed. In her culture, she would be one of the little people. Reminds me of Jesus’ first miracle of turning the water into wine. The wedding guest did not know who did the changing, but the servants did. These were the little people.

In his defense, Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” For this reason, they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God (John 5:17-18).

Profound Truth: Jesus equated Himself with the Father’s working.

Interesting Point: Jesus’ adversaries recognized that Jesus was saying that He was God.

Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me (John 7:28-29).

Profound Truth: Jesus is proclaiming where He came from.

Profound Truth: Jesus is stating that He was not here on His own authority.

Profound Truth: Jesus is saying that the Father sent Him.

Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come (John 7:33-34).

Profound Truth: Jesus is only here for a short time.

Profound Truth: Jesus is going back to the One who sent Him.

Profound Truth: Where He is, others cannot come.

Interesting Point: Even though Jesus was presently here on earth, He did not say where I am going to be, you cannot come but said where I am. The eternal presence.

I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me (John 8:18).

Profound Truth: Jesus is testifying that He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Father is a witness to this fact.

Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come (John 8:21).

Profound Truth: Jesus forecasting that He was going to leave the earth.

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58).

Profound Truth: Jesus is declaring that He existed before Abraham. He has always been in existence. He is God.

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am (John 13:13).

Profound Truth: Simply Jesus acknowledges that He is Teacher and He is Lord.

So, then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him (John 11:14).

Profound Truth: Jesus tells the disciples that for their sake, it was He who was glad that Jesus wasn’t there to heal Lazarus before he died. We know from the rest of the story that Jesus wanted the disciples to witness Lazarus brought back from the dead. Jesus wanted them to see the glory of God and to know that the Father had sent Him.

I am telling you now before it happens so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am(John 13:19).

Profound Truth: Here, Jesus is prophesying about future events and declaring that I am who I am. This is how the Lord identified Himself to Moses at the burning bush.

My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come (John 13:33).

Profound Truth: Where He is, others cannot come.

Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” (John 13:36).

Profound Truth: Where He is going, others cannot follow now, but they will follow later.

Interesting Point: In several passages, Jesus has been teaching that He is going away and His followers cannot go where He is going, but in this passage, the word “now” and the words “follow later” This foreshadows Jesus’ promise to always be with His followers and His promise that His followers will be where He is.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going (John 14:1-4).

Profound Truth: In this famous passage, Jesus explains that He is going to prepare a place for His followers. He is also coming back to get His followers so they can be with Him.

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves (John 14:10-11).

Profound Truth: Jesus is exhorting us to believe that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.

Interesting Point: Jesus says that if they do not believe what He has said, at least believe based on the evidence of His works.

At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’ (John 16:17).

Profound Truth: Jesus is going to the Father.

I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours (John 17:9).

Profound Truth: Jesus is not praying for the world but for His followers.

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them (John 17:13).

Profound Truth: Jesus, in His prayer to the Father, is saying that He is going to the Father.

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world (John 17:24).

Profound Truth: In this statement, Jesus is declaring His eternal existence. He has always been and will always be.

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground (John 18:5-6).

Profound Truth: Just imagine the power in Jesus’ words. His words knocked them to the ground.

Interesting Point: They were not deterred in any way from the task of killing Jesus despite the demonstration that He was indeed God.

Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go (John 18:8).

Profound Truth: Jesus acknowledges that He is Jesus of Nazareth.

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28).

Profound Truth: Jesus is on the cross. He is suffering.

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ (John 20:17).

Profound Truth: Jesus is appearing after the resurrection and wanted His followers to know that He is ascending to the Father.

Interesting Point: He calls the disciples brothers. He identifies the Father as His Father and their Father and His God and their God.

Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you (John 20:21).

Profound Truth: Jesus explains that He is sending the disciples just like the Father had sent Him.

A Partial List of What Obedient Children of God Do

So, in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith (Galatians 3:26).

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7).

Before we begin to explore the long list of the Lord’s “In this family, we _______,” let us do something a little unusual. Let us start with a summary. I know that usually a summary comes at the end and seeks to distill or condense what has preceded, but, as I developed the list and became aware of how long it was becoming, I asked myself, What is this all about? Then it came to me. What was Jesus’s response to the Pharisee’s question about which was the greatest commandment?

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35-40).

Jesus declares a standard for the kind of love that His children are to show to others. He called it a new commandment.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34-35).

The new standard is to love others as Jesus loves us. Jesus goes on to say that this kind of love will be a testimony, evidence of discipleship. We know that Jesus loved mankind to the extent of giving His life. We know the Father loved mankind so much that He gave His Son so that those who believe in that Son will never perish. Clearly, this is the highest standard of love.

The Lord’s commandments to His children in the Scriptures indicate that, for His “In this family, we ______,” it is all about love. Every instruction about the behavior or attitude of the Lord’s family members is an expression of love or of being loving…because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:5). Of course, this really makes sense. As you read through the verses, can you see that love is a family thing with God? God loves us. We love God. We love each other. Can you see that love is relational?

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him (1 John 3:1).

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:7-11).

And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister (1 John 4:16-21).

As I began compiling the messages from the Scriptures about the behaviors and attitudes God is developing in His children, I struggled with how to organize the list. It was tempting to create categories distinguishing between behaviors and attitudes and sorting similar behaviors and attitudes into groups. It was tempting to create positive and negative categories, what to do and what not to do. However, I concluded it may be best to just list the Scriptures as I compiled them and let them speak for themselves. As I compiled this list, it seemed to become like ocean waves striking the shore. Blessing after blessing, provision after provision, comfort after comfort. It feels very good! See if you agree!

I also decided not to number the list. Although the list appears to be a list of distinct items, in reality, a child of God is a whole person, not a lot of pieces. Who we are as a child of God is a complex mixture of traits and characteristics. The Scriptures in the list are too complex to completely capture the “whole” of being a child of God, but these verses are still very descriptive and helpful.

I could see other risks in numbering the list. First, there is the risk of thinking that somehow numbering implies priorities or a difference in the value of some descriptions of the Lord’s family’s behaviors and attitudes. Second, I was concerned that there might be the temptation to use the list as a diagnostic. A person might be tempted to check off which characteristics were true in their life (or maybe someone else’s) and which were not yet evident. A person might be tempted to generate a “score” to see how “good” a child of God they are.

You will also notice themes, even though the list is not grouped into themes. One theme the list addresses is what we do, what we say, and how we think. Another theme has to do with what God does to and for us, what God says to us, and what God thinks about us. There is also a theme about what not to do and how not to act. Perhaps you will notice other themes.

I am assuming that you, like this writer, will find that some specific Scriptures will speak to your heart in a way that is supportive of what the Lord is currently teaching you. There is some redundancy in the items in the list, but please just go with it and consider the redundancy emphasis. The format that I have used is to first cite the Scripture and then, in a brief statement, describe what the Lord’s children do. Notice there is a flow.

Now, let us explore the behavior and attitudes in the Lord’s instructions for His children. Remember what we discussed earlier about love being a family thing with God? As you read through the following long list of “In God’s family, we____” behaviors and attitudes in these verses, notice that these instructions reflect practical ways in which love can be expressed. The common theme throughout is that the children of God demonstrate their love for Him with obedience.

If you love me, keep my commands (John 14:15).

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

The List

So, I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed (Ephesians 4:17-19).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, the Lord’s children do not walk in the futility of their thinking as the unbelievers do, who have given themselves over to sensuality to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. The Lord’s children are set apart, different than the world.

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires: to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:20-24).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we are renewed in our mind and have put off the old self and have put on the new person created in righteousness and true holiness.

Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body (Ephesians 4:25).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we do not lie but tell the truth.

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry (Ephesians 4:26).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we do not carry grudges.

and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we do not give in to the devil.

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need (Ephesians 4:28).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we do not steal but rather work with our hands so that we can provide for ourselves and the needy.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we guard our mouths and speak with grace to others.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we do not grieve the Holy Spirit, and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Ephesians 4:31).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we are not bitter, angry, evil speakers and are not malicious.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we are kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing (Philippians 2:14).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we do not complain or dispute.

so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky (Philippians 2:15).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we shine as lights in a dark and perverse world.

as you hold firmly to the word of life… (Philippians 2:16).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we practice the word of life.

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:2-3).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we show our love for God by obeying His commandments, and the commandments are not hard.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7).

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:14).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we practice love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Galatians 5:22).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we live in peace.

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11).

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love (2 Peter 1: 5-7).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we are growing in faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and godliness. mutual affection and love.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we are kind.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25 KJV)

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we live and walk by the Spirit.

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:26).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we are not boastful, not aggravating, and not envious.

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many (Hebrews 12:15).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we diligently do not allow any bitterness to trouble us because we could make others unclean.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we walk worthy of our vocation.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2)

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we are humble, gentle, patient, and bear with one another in love.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we try to keep unity with other family members with peace.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).

The obedient child of the Lord understands: In this family, we lovingly live in harmony with others, hate evil, and cling to good.

Think about The Holy Scriptures

What do the Holy Scriptures say about the Scriptures?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

The Word of God thoroughly prepares the believer to be a child of God.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17)

The Word of God is truth.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope (Romans 15:4)

The Word of God is to teach us, encourage us, and give us hope.

but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you (1 Peter 1:25).

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

The Word of God will accomplish its purpose.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things (2 Peter 1:19-20).

The Word of God was written by men as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts (Colossians 3:16).

The Word of God provides resources to minister Spiritual things to others.

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30-31).

The Word of God’s purpose is clearly stated here. That believers might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that believers might have life.

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11).

The Word of God confirms that believers will not be ashamed for believing in Jesus.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2).

The Word of God provides nourishment for growth.

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life (John 6:63).

The Word of God is alive.

…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17)

The Word of God is a part of the whole armor of God that believers can use for offense and defensive protection.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12)

The Word of God equips believers in the struggle against God’s enemies.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path (Psalms 119:105).

The Word of God provides light so we can see our way through a dark world. Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, and every verse refers to the Word of God. This is great to read and meditate on the value of God’s Word.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Word of God says that studying the Word of God is important for three reasons: to be approved by God, not to be ashamed, and to correctly handle the Word of Truth. Let us think about this some more, and let me begin with a story. This story involves my grandson, Larry. During the time of writing this book, Larry graduated from the university on his way to becoming a history teacher. Besides a degree in history, Larry also needed a teaching license from the state. Part of acquiring this license included passing a Praxis test. Upon passing the test, he would be certified to teach history. He told me that he was doing test preparation and had found some great YouTube presentations that were helpful. He called me with the joyful news that he had passed the Praxis, and we celebrated together.

Here is the picture: Larry loves history and over several years at the university, he had taken many history-related courses, read many books, written papers, and taken tests. All of this was to fill his head with “history stuff. During the Praxis exam, he had to find that “history stuff” in his memory in order to respond correctly to the questions on the exam. His study paid off, so his score was approved. He passed, so he was not ashamed, and he was able to correctly handle his history knowledge.

Believers who study the scriptures and fill their renewed mind with the Word of God provide the Holy Spirit with content from the Scriptures for the believer to apply in their life. First, we know, and then we believe. The believing heart rests on the assurance that the Scriptures are the truth, so that immediately upon knowing, belief happens.

…humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do (James 1:21-25).

The Word of God is not just to be heard but to be done. Those who are hearers only can be deceived. There is a blessing for those who are doers. Notice: “the word planted in you” and “the perfect law that gives freedom”.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

The Word of God gives the believer discernment.

…treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. (Proverbs 2:1-2 NLT).

The Word of God is a treasure to be listened to and to concentrate on.

What others are saying:

Dr. Frances Schaeffer in Escape from Reason explains it this way:

…we do not have exhaustive truth, we have from the Bible what I term “true truth.” In this way we know true truth about God, true truth about man, and something truly about nature. Thus on the basis of the Scriptures, while we do not have exhaustive knowledge, we have true and unified knowledge. (page 218).

In his book, Eat This Book, Eugene Peterson has many insights into the Word of God:

But here’s the thing: every part of the revelation, every aspect, every form is personal—God is relational at the core—and so whatever is said, whatever is revealed, whatever is received is also personal and relational. There is nothing impersonal, nothing merely functional, everything from the beginning to end and in between is personal, God is inherently and inclusively personal.

The corollary to that is that I, because I am a person, am personally involved in the revelation. Every word I hear, everything I see in my imagination as this story unfolds, involves me relationally, pulls me into participation, matters to my core identity, who I am and what I do. (page 27).

Peterson continues:

This may be the single most important thing to know as we come to read and study and believe these Holy Scriptures: this rich, alive, personally revealing God as experienced in Father, Son and Holy Spirit, personally addressing us in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, at whatever age we are, in whatever state we are—me, you, us. Christian reading is participatory reading, receiving the words in such a way that they become interior to our lives, the rhythms and images becoming practices of prayer, acts of obedience, ways of loving. (page 28).

Tozer, in his book The Pursuit of God, highlights that the Bible is the voice of God:

If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you. Do not come with the notion that it is a thing which you may push around at your convenience. It is more than a thing; it is a voice, a word, the very Word of the living God. (page 290).

The Scriptures teach who God is and who man is. Dr. Francis Schaeffer states:

The Scriptures give the key to two kinds of knowledge—the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of man and nature. (page 218).

Man has value because He was created in the image of God, and this value is enhanced because God has provided salvation through Jesus Christ. Man was so valued (loved) by God that He sent His son so that none would perish. Think about it!

Many of the Lord’s people have made it a mission to translate the Bible into many languages and to distribute Bibles.

The Word of God is God speaking the truth directly to us. I believe that we have a built-in longing as image bearers of God to know the truth. For committed believers, their Bible is precious. Mine is! The Lord in Scripture is teaching us about Himself and ourselves.

Seeking Significance

Don’t you wonder why some people do the things they do? Don’t you wonder why some people say the things they say? Don’t you wonder why you do or say some things? These doings and sayings that we wonder about get noticed. That is why we are wondering about them. Have you ever watched a toddler doing some kind of trick to the delight of an audience of adults? Often, they will do it over and over again, each time to the applause of the adult audience. The message sent is, “Look at me!” The response returned is, “I am looking!”

The attention gained by such doing or sayings provides a “pay off.” It says, “I am here and I am visible.” In that moment, the doer and the speaker have significance. Significance speaks to importance or value. Think about this: If you lost a penny, how hard would you search for it? If you lost $100 bill, how hard would you search for it? The significance of the search is directly correlated to the value and importance of the lost item.

This is part of the human condition to desire to be significant. We all want to matter, to make a difference, and to be valued. One common way to gain some significance is to belong to a group. This group could be your family, your neighborhood, an organization, some movement, a political party, a church, etc. Belonging is linked with significance.

Clearly, there are right ways and wrong ways to obtain significance.

Let us look at some wrong ways. Being a bully establishes significance. Bullies hurt people. Bullies exercise power. People notice a bully. People are afraid of a bully. People avoid a bully. However, people do not ignore a bully. To not be ignored is to establish significance.

I suspect that individuals who commit horrendous crimes, like mass shootings, are driven to be significant. I have noticed that the media has started to make efforts not to name or recognize the perpetrator. Recently, the twentieth anniversary of the notorious Columbine school shooting was being recognized.

A Denver television station had several specials about the event and the victims, but openly acknowledged that they were not going to cover anything about the shooters. This is a strategy that might have some deterrent effect. The strategy is: those thinking about committing such an act (copycat) in order to establish their significance would see that they might not get the attention they were hoping to get. I do not know how we would ever know if this works.

I have wondered about the intensity of activist groups and what motivates their members. I think we can assume that the individual members may have some genuine concern and belief about the validity of the activist groups’ cause. However, what is the basic motivation of the individuals involved?

A personal experience gave me some insight. The situation involved the need for a special use permit from the county government for a friend to operate a commercial dog breeding kennel. There was to be a hearing and an opportunity for those to speak in support or in opposition to the granting of the permit. I know and respect the applicant, so I chose to speak in support.

I was in for a surprise. There was some warning before the hearing because I had seen an article in the local newspaper about opposition to the permit from members of the PETA organization. The opposition showed up in large numbers to protest with signs and chants. There was a very hostile atmosphere with obvious anger and outrage. The permit applicant was viciously attacked verbally. It was scary!

Clearly, there was a group dynamic that energized the participants. I have since reflected often about what I had witnessed. Here is an interesting observation. Since the hearing, I have seen a number of the opposition participants in stores and restaurants. Although I do not know any of them personally, my observation is they seem like ordinary folk. They appear to be mild-mannered and calm. A complete contrast to what I witnessed at the hearing.

My analysis has led me to the conclusion that apart from any personal commitments to the activist issue, the participant, as part of the protest group, has found significance. Suddenly, they leave their ordinary daily life and find importance and can be noticed. They have a sense of power. By conjecture, I expand this conclusion to others who are members of protest and activist groups that often appear in the news.

I read a book by a Christian writer who was part of what most would consider the left-wing fringe. The book was primarily about how the Lord worked in the author’s life in this culture, but the author also told about a friend who was a professional protester. This friend likes to participate in protests and he was not particularly interested in the causes. He just liked having a significant role as part of the group, and he enjoyed the energy. Sometimes he was paid, another motivation.

Some other anecdotal evidence has appeared in some of the on-the-street interviews I have seen on television. The scene is: the “on the street reporter” puts a microphone in the face of a protester and asks some relevant questions about the issue being protested. The protester’s response indicates they have very little understanding about the issue being protested, but the protester is significantly involved and perceives what they are doing as important.

A disclaimer is appropriate here: Probably the reporter has been selective about the interviews shown because their point was to show that the protester did not know much about the issue that is being protested. Probably there were other interviews where the person could coherently discuss the issue being protested, but were not shown.

The point of these illustrations is that belonging to a group provides a sense of significance that is hard to achieve as individuals. An additional point is that doing outlandish things or saying extreme things can generate a stronger sense of significance.

I want to pause and reflect on a reflection my wife and I had after the experience at the hearing about the dog breeding kennel. The PETA opposition people were acting like a mob. My wife and I thought about that must have been the mob atmosphere as the crowds were shouting at the trial of Jesus, “Crucify Him” (Mark 15:13). Further, probably some members of that mob may have been part of the crowd that a few days earlier had been shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord –the King of Israel!” (John 12:13).

Let us look at the positive side of significance. It is valuable to be involved in doing something good that helps someone else. This is a loving thing to do. It is beneficial to say something that supports, encourages, or helps someone else. This is a loving thing to do. Most professions provide a service or produce a product that is useful to others. This is a good thing, and it is significant.

Positional significance occurs when because of a position that a person possesses, they have authority and responsibility. Simply, they can do “stuff” that affects others. Let us look at some examples: I held the position of son, not much authority, but responsibility. I have also held the position of father, grandfather, great-grandfather, farmer, classroom teacher, school administrator, and university professor.

Each position had authority and responsibility. Because I could do “stuff” and say “stuff” that affected others, I had significance. Some other examples: law enforcement officers, governors, judges, and the President of the United States. Each has positional significance because of its authority and responsibilities.

Where does all this need for significance come from? Why is it so universal? Is it legitimate? We have looked at a few examples, both positive and negative, of exercising significance. To explore the answer, we need to look at the nature of man. To be even more precise, we need to look at the creation of man. The information on the creation of man is found in the Word of God.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27).

There is an innate significance to be found in the fact that human beings are created in the image of God. There is value in being created in the image of God. The mere fact of this creation in God’s image speaks of significance. This means that apart from anything a person may or may not do, they possess significance because of being image bearers of God.

This wonderful fact cannot be understated. Because the image bearer has life, that life came from God and therefore has value. Human lives have value because they have significance. Hence, the commandment: “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).

Positional significance can be linked to being in a certain family. Believers in the Lord Jesus are in God’s family.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith (Galatians 3:26).

To the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he has made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).

To be accepted, to belong, to be part of, blesses someone with significance. The opposite of being accepted is being rejected. Rejection is painful and to be avoided. In this verse, Jesus, who is the beloved, has made us acceptable and accepted. Praise God!

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4).

It is significant to be chosen. Perhaps you have experienced this scene. Recess time on the playground and a softball game is being organized. Teams are needed, so two students are identified as captains and they begin to alternately choose students for their teams. The students are lined up against the playground fence to await their fate. The demonstration of significance begins.

The captains compete to choose the perceived best players. Clearly, the first ones chosen are the best and most significant. What about the last chosen? Clearly, they are the least significant. Have you ever been among the last chosen? How did you feel? How significant were you?

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4).

The exciting message of this verse is that believers were chosen by God. Not only were believers chosen, but notice the choosing was done before the world was made. If that were not enough, believers will be holy and blameless before God. An additional touch, in love. Talk about significance! If you are a believer, now how do you feel about being chosen?

The words “I love you” imply significance. Interestingly, the words provide significance to both the hearer and the speaker. The hearer receives significance because someone had declared a love commitment. The speaker receives significance because they have initiated the declaration of value to someone, who will receive the benefit. To be able to provide a benefit to someone is a significant act.

We love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19 KJV).

A reciprocal declaration of love is significant to both parties. How often does the declaration of “I love you” receive the response, “I love you, too”? To love and be loved is a very foundational part of significance. Now, when did the Lord love us first?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

Jesus declared:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelation 4:11 KJV).

How could there be any greater significance than being loved by God? First, everyone has significance because everyone is part of God’s creation. Notice in this verse that all of creation was created for the purpose of the Lord’s pleasure. How significant to be a source of pleasure for the God of the universe!

Just think of Christ Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross for mankind. Ponder the significance of the Lord’s act of salvation for His creation. How significant is that for each person personally?

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Consider the significance of being created in God’s image, believers being members of God’s family, citizens in His kingdom, accepted, chosen, and loved. This is all bestowed significance as a gift and demonstration by the Lord, and is a positional significance. This is not of our “doing” and has become a matter of “being”. How good is that?

Clearly, we have demonstrated that significance is found in both who we are, “being,” and our activities and the things we produce, “doing.” In a class he was teaching at Denver Seminary, Dr. Dallas Willard made this statement, “We tend to attach significance to doing.”

Assuming both “being” and “doing” are legitimate sources of significance. and that significance for “being” is bestowed, and significance for “doing” is good. Both are valid. Therefore, we have this issue: Do you and I depend more on what we do for significance, or is our significance found in who we are in Christ?

Something to ponder: There is significance that is bestowed by God. However, as we act out of that bestowed significance, we do good. People are created with the capacity to do good. This “good” has significance.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Personal Relationship with Jesus

When we say we have a personal relationship, what do we mean? When Christians say they have a personal relationship with Jesus, what do they mean?

In the fall of 2020, shortly before the election, I was traveling to town and listening to the radio. Rush Limbaugh was on and talking about his bout with lung cancer. Although it seemed that he had been making some progress in his battle, things had turned for the worse. The current prognosis was not good. He was talking about facing approaching death and making references to God, and then declared, “I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

What did he mean? I think that many Christians, including me, would explain Rush’s declaration as meaning he had chosen to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the death of Jesus on the cross was payment for sin, and as a believer, he is “born again.” For many Christians, this “personal relationship” would be a guarantee of eternal life and the avoidance of perishing, as clearly stated in John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Simply put, those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will go to heaven when they die and will not go to hell. However, as wonderful as that is, for many believers a personal relationship with Jesus means much more. We will explore this much more later, but let us look more closely at the concept or category of “personal relationship”. Make this personal for you as you follow along.

A personal relationship has an object. We may joke about that object being something other than a person, such as a pet or car. There may be even some sense to having a personal relationship with a pet, but we want to think of personal relationships with people. A personal relationship is person-to-person.

Those persons have names. It seems silly to claim a personal relationship with someone whose name you do not know. Personal seems to imply a degree of closeness, a degree of direct contact, and a degree of knowledge about each other.

My most important and closest personal relationship is with my wife.

Although my parents have now passed, I had a personal relationship with my dad and a personal relationship with my mom. I also have a personal relationship with each of my four siblings. Each sibling had a personal relationship with mom and dad, and each of us siblings have a personal relationship with each other. This becomes a whole bunch of personal relationships, and each is unique.

Personal relationships are singular in nature. That is, one person and one person for a total of two people. Personal relationships cannot be a group thing. Although most people have many personal relationships, each one is unique and, in a sense, solitary. Usually, there is an element of privacy and secrecy. This is what makes it personal. There is exclusivity because a personal relationship is made up of only two people. Personal relationships may be talked about and even described, but a personal relationship can only be experienced by the two people in the relationship.

Perhaps a visual will be helpful. Follow along with me. Visualize a circle, and within the circle are the two people who have a personal relationship. Everyone else is outside that circle. This is not an act of rejection of those outside the circle, but it is necessary for the reality of there being a personal relationship.

All personal relationships are not equal, even though each is unique. My personal relationship with my wife is very close. Much of the relationship is private and secret, and that is the way it should be. Our close personal relationship is very valuable to us, and many elements of it are very precious. We consciously work to keep our personal relationship strong and secure.

Throughout a person’s life, they will likely have many relationships that could be considered personal. There is a continuum of relative closeness in those personal relationships. Some are not really close and probably could be in the category of being only acquaintances rather than a category of personal relationship. Some are very close and may be lifelong. Some are temporary, and for various reasons, separation occurs as a result of circumstances. One person moves away and contact is lost. When one person passes away, the personal relationship comes to an end. Some personal relationships are broken and end because of conflict and estrangement.

With that background about personal relationships, let us go back to exploring the meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When I conducted a word search in Scripture, I found no matches for the term “personal relationship.” My conclusion is that the phrase, as used by Christians, represents an understanding of the relationship that a believer has with Jesus Christ. Earlier, we concluded that the definition of a personal relationship was the exclusive relationship between two people. Based on that idea, a personal relationship with Jesus would be a relationship between a person and God.

This idea requires some contemplation. First of all, God has a relationship with everyone because He is the creator, and everyone was created. This may be personal from God’s point of view because He knows everything, He thoroughly knows each individual that He has created. The same could be said for all of creation. However, we know that every individual does not acknowledge that they were created by God. Actually, many people actively deny that they were created by God. Look at how David, the Psalmist, describes us as created beings. This Psalm describes the personal involvement of the Lord in the creation of each person.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you (Psalms 139:13-18).

Then we must consider the unique characteristics of people in God’s creation. People are different than the rest of creation. Scriptures say we are image-bearers. This is not said about any of the rest of creation. Think about it. In the Genesis story, God spoke and creation happened, but He made Adam out of the dust of the earth and Eve from Adam’s rib. It appears the Lord added a personal touch to the original creation of mankind. That is kind of nice and special.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).

Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God (James 3:9 NLT).

However, we still have not come to what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Based on our thinking, we must assume that a personal relationship with Jesus means one person and Jesus. Also, based on our thinking, we can safely assume that many people could have a personal relationship with Jesus, but it would be exclusive for each one, just that person and Jesus.

Now every personal relationship begins with an initial encounter. There was a first time the two parties met. This is basic. When we encounter two people who seem to have a personal relationship, such as a husband and wife, it is not unusual to ask when or where they meet. That happened to my wife and me this last weekend. It is also not unusual for two people to know about each other before they actually meet.

So, we can safely assume that many people may know about Jesus, perhaps know a great deal about Him, but have not met Him. Perhaps they have not been thinking of Jesus as being a person. Clearly, Jesus is a person. That is the amazing thing about the incarnation.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

In order for there to be a personal relationship with Jesus, there has to be that initial meeting. A prerequisite to that meeting is an acknowledgment of the existence of Jesus, followed by acknowledging His existence as a person. Here is where the comparison of personal relationships person to person with a personal relationship person to God takes a turn. People are visible, but God is invisible. Also, a person in a personal relationship with Jesus is not equal to Jesus. Mankind and God are not equals.

However, there was a time when Jesus was visible even though at this period in time, He is not visible. The stories of His birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension are well documented and celebrated throughout Christianity. In the New Testament, we have many eyewitness accounts about Jesus. This is my favorite.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete (1 John 1:1-4).

Therefore, the initial meeting with Jesus must begin with belief or faith in His existence. This verse states this clearly.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

Facts to point out in this verse: There is the impossibility of pleasing God without faith. There is the essential of believing in His existence. There is the requirement of diligently seeking Him. There is a reward for diligently seeking Him. What is that reward? Finding Him.

So, how does this initial encounter with Jesus happen? We can conclude that there is a factor of believing, as clearly stated in John 3:16 as quoted earlier, and also clearly stated in the verse from Hebrews we just read. But is that the initiating event?

there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God (Romans 3:11).

Well, that verse eliminates any created person being the initiator. Therefore, it must be God who initiates the personal relationship.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4).

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance (1 Peter 1:2).

And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:6).

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7).

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ (Jude 1).

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1).

From these verses, it is clear that each person with a personal relationship with Jesus was chosen. Each one was chosen by the foreknowledge of God and chosen before the foundation of the world. This reveals the omniscience attribute of God, who knows everything and has always known everything.

Not only was each person chosen, but each was also called. Notice: called to belong to Jesus Christ, called to be kept for Jesus Christ, called to be his holy people, and called for his purpose. Also, we are His elect.

For believers, it is no accident that they are believers. The fact that each one is a believer in Jesus was planned by God. We can be assured that if God plans something, it happens. We know that God’s plans are not bound by time. That is why the act of a believer being chosen by God occurred before the foundations of the world. So, there is no place for boasting by believers that they are believers because Scripture establishes that it was all God’s doing.

This still leaves us with the question: when was the first encounter in time and space that led to the personal relationship with Jesus? For the Apostle Paul, it was a dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus. For me, it was as a twelve-year-old boy when I made my public profession of faith. Could it have been sometime earlier, before my public profession? I do not really know, but I do remember the public profession, and it was very significant for me.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9-10).

Each believer has some sense of that first encounter, and the story of the first encounter may be given as a testimony. Believers often like to ask each other: When did you come to Jesus?

Paul says the gospel is mysterious:

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19).

My conclusion is that each believer at some point decided to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, with further understanding of the significance that He died for their sins and was raised from the dead. At that point, the essentials for the personal relationship with Jesus were established. Going back to our personal relationship model of a circle, this is the point where the believer enters the circle with Jesus.

We want to remember that in all our exploration about the nature of a personal relationship, we have at this point only addressed the matter of an initial encounter, which is essential for there even to be a personal relationship. Obviously, for a personal relationship, there needs to be much more. The much more includes knowing each other. This assumes time spent together. It also assumes there is a sense in which the personal relationship grows. We also assume that there is a correlation between increased knowledge of each other and time spent together, and the growth of the personal relationship.

Once again, the uniqueness of a personal relationship with Jesus comes into play. Only the believer can increase in knowledge of Jesus. Jesus already knows all about the believer. Remember, Jesus knows everything and always has and always will. Only the believer can control the time involved in getting to know Jesus better. Time together means being in each other’s presence. Jesus is always present.

However, the believer is not just dependent on their own willpower and own motivation to get to know Jesus better. God’s plan for developing that personal relationship includes providing the believer with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

As Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John chapter 3, Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3). Nicodemus did not understand so Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8).

The wind is invisible. Think about it. We cannot see the wind, but we can see its effects.

This is foundational understanding for the basis of becoming a believer and having the capacity to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. A change must take place in a person to become a believer. The change is a Spiritual event by an act of God. Literally, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in the person.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago (Ephesians 1:13 NLT).

What an amazing fact! The Holy Spirit is actually in the believer. What does the Holy Spirit do? The Holy Spirit speaks to and teaches believers. The Holy Spirit convicts and gives joy. Look at these verses.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26).

for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12).

because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6).

Let us think about quantifying personal relationships. Personal relationships can be placed on a continuum, going from very close to not very close. Can you picture this? What variables are at play in determining the closeness of a personal relationship?

Motivation is one variable. How motivated are the people to have a close personal relationship? For a relationship to be even classified as a personal relationship, there had to be some motivating desire to have a personal relationship. But motivation can be quantified from slightly motivated to very motivated. Let us apply this variable to having a personal relationship with Jesus. The will of a person comes into play. Does a person really want a close personal relationship with Jesus? Does a person really want to be a Jesus follower? The motivation of Jesus is not in question.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

Time is another variable. Time can be measured. How much time is spent with the person in a personal relationship? Time with Jesus consists of time in His Word, time in prayer, time in meditation, time in worship, time thinking about Him, and time listening to Him. A person has control of their time. Time is not an issue on the part of Jesus in a personal relationship with Him.

…And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

. …”Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

Knowledge is another variable. Closeness in a personal relationship is linked with how well and how much the people know each other. This knowledge includes knowing interests, preferences, concerns, desires, accomplishments, and sometimes failures. The amount and depth of knowledge are growing as the personal relationship deepens. In a personal relationship with Jesus, we have already established the depth and thoroughness of the knowledge of Jesus about each person. What about a person’s knowledge of Jesus? Scripture speaks to the importance of more and deeper knowledge of Jesus. To move closer to Jesus in a personal relationship with Him, a person must come to know Him better.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better (Ephesians 1:17).

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death (Philippians 3:10 NLT).

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord 2 Peter 1:2 NLT).

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:8).

so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).

Commitment is another variable. Commitment speaks to the quality of being “for” each other in a personal relationship. Commitment involves loyalty and support. The phrase, “I am on your side,” comes to mind. In a personal relationship with Jesus, a person is loyal. We can say Jesus must be first. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith… (Hebrews 12:2). The all-knowing and all-caring Jesus keeps His eyes on the person.

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you (Psalms 32:2).

Submission is another variable. Submission to each other in a close personal relationship is voluntary and is not done out of fear or coercion. Submission involves an act of the will. Submission says, “I will” rather than “I won’t.” In considering the issue of the will in a personal relationship with Jesus, it becomes one-sided. It is the person who must be willing to submit to Jesus. In a sense, Jesus has already submitted Himself to the person in that by becoming a man and dying on the cross, He has completely met all the needs of the person. So, let us ponder some verses that address a person submitting their will to Jesus.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:36).

You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God (1 Peter 4:2).

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own (John 7:17).

Love and caring are variables. When we think of a personal relationship, we are thinking positively. It is hard to imagine a personal relationship that does not include a sense of love or at least affection demonstrated with acts of caring. In a personal relationship with Jesus, the factor of love and caring from Jesus is beyond questioning. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13). Remember John 3:16.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? (Luke 12:28 NLT).

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall (Psalms 55:22 NLT).

For the person in a personal relationship with Jesus, love is expressed in obedience and is linked with the variable of submission.

“If you love me, obey my commandments (John 14:15).

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

Let us explore more deeply into the uniqueness of a personal relationship with Jesus by looking at the implications and impact of the person being indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Look closely at this verse:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (1 Corinthians 5:17).

The born-again believer in a personal relationship with Jesus is a new person, a new creation. Let that sink in!

This means that the born-again believer in a personal relationship with Jesus exercises their will by choosing to put off the old and put on the new. The believer has a new mind. This new capacity enables the person to have a closer personal relationship with Jesus. These verses show the seriousness of having a personal relationship with Jesus because clearly, only those who are believers can have a personal relationship with Jesus.

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).

Scripture provides some models or illustrations of what a personal relationship with Jesus looks like. A favorite of mine is the example of a shepherd and sheep from John 10:1-18. I am going to offer a few selections from the passage. You may want to read the whole passage.

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice (John 10:2-4).

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— (John 10:14).

Notice all the personal relationship terms: the sheep listen to his voice, He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out, all his own, he goes on ahead of them, his sheep follow him, they know his voice, and I know my sheep and my sheep know me. You can sense the closeness in these phrases and also see examples of the variables.

Another illustration is found in John 15:1-8 in the example of the vine and branches. I am going to offer a few selections from the passage. You may want to read the whole passage.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me (John 15:4).

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:7-8).

Again, you can sense the closeness in these phrases and also see examples of the variables. Notice all the personal relationship terms: Remain in me, I also remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you, and showing yourselves to be my disciples.

What is the dynamic of a close personal relationship? It is a safe, comfortable place where the variables, motivation, time, knowledge, commitment, submission, love, and caring are experienced. There is a sense of valuing each other. There is a sense of loyalty. It is a very desirable place.

An interesting development occurs in this dynamic. The two parties begin to become alike. The personal relationship develops a commonality and a strong sense of agreement. Although each continues to have its individual distinctiveness, the alikeness becomes very comfortable and satisfying. The commonality is the fruit of living within the variables. Close personal relationships are a heart’s desire for people because people are created in the image of God.

Although it is beyond human capacity to grasp the Holy Trinity, what can be seen from Scripture is that the relationship within the Trinity is a close personal relationship. The Trinity declares to be One. In the gospels, we can get a glimpse of the close personal relationship between Jesus and His Father. Listen to what Jesus says:

I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30).

The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:29).

How about the dynamic of a close personal relationship with Jesus? Does a commonality develop? Not only does commonality develop, but that is the goal of a close personal relationship with Jesus. In a close personal relationship with Jesus, the person begins to become like Jesus. To be clear, Jesus is God, and the person does not become God but change happens for the person. How does that happen? First of all, it begins to happen at the rebirth when the Holy Spirit enters the believer. We have already looked at this at length.

The personal relationship with Jesus includes several factors. We have already noted that the person and Jesus are not equals. Jesus is the Savior, and the person is the saved one. Since Jesus is Lord, there is the important matter of obedience to Him. Jesus is King, and the person is a subject. There is a family relationship, which means the person is a child. None of these distinctives interferes with the capacity to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Actually, they enhance it.

Let us look at some verses:

for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:6).

There is an expectation that the person in a personal relationship with Jesus will be holy. How is that possible? We already looked at the process of putting off the old self and putting on the new self. We learned that a believer has been given a new mind.

In many places, Scripture indicates that there is a way that things work in the Kingdom of God, and it is different than the way things work in the world. They are in opposition to each other. For the present time, the believer is in the world, but notice the world is in opposition to the Kingdom of God.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God (James 4:4).

The following verses are taken from Jesus’s prayer to His Father for His disciples and believers at the Last Supper.

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you (John 15:19).

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one (John 17:15).

I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours (John 17:9).

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (John 17:20).

Now, back to commonality.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus (1 John 4:17).

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2).

Just as personal relationships grow, so does the transformation to becoming more like Jesus happen in a believer’s personal relationship with Jesus. The instructions in Scripture pertaining to a Jesus follower’s behavior toward God and others are founded in expressions of love. As the practice of obedience to Jesus increases, the becoming like Jesus increases.

A result of a growing personal relationship with Jesus is that a person bears fruit that is useful in the Kingdom of God and benefits others. The effect of a personal relationship with Jesus is good works that have been prepared for the person by God’s plan, and the person has also been prepared to do those good works. Look closely at these verses.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Oswald Chambers, in his book My Utmost for His Highest, says:

There is only one relationship that really matters, and this is your personal relationship to your personal Redeemer and Lord. If you maintain that at all costs, letting everything else go, God will fulfill His purpose through your life. One individual life may be of priceless value to God’s purposes, and yours may be that life.

In conclusion, I must ask, “Why would anyone not want to have a personal relationship with Jesus?” Think of these words that Jesus said about being in a personal relationship with Him.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11).

Persecuted

The Passages

If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me (John 15:20-21).

Profound Truth: Since Jesus is persecuted, Jesus followers are persecuted.

Profound Truth: If people obey Jesus’ teaching, they will obey the teachings of Jesus followers.

Profound Truth: Jesus followers will be persecuted because of Jesus’ name.

Profound Truth: Persecution will happen because the persecutors do not know the Father.

All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me (John 16:1-3).

Profound Truth: Jesus warned of the persecution so His followers would not fall away.

Profound Truth: Jesus followers would be put out of the synagogues.

Profound Truth: When Jesus followers are killed by persecutors, the persecutors will think they are serving God.

Profound Truth: They persecute because they do not know Jesus or the Father.

I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things (John 16:4-6).

Profound Truth: Jesus warned His followers because He was going back to the Father.

Profound Truth: Jesus followers are sad to hear about the persecution.

On Purpose for a Purpose

Intentionality is on purpose for a purpose. Intentionality is not casual. Intentionality is not passive. Intentionality is a commitment. Intentionality has priority. Intentionality has a goal, an objective. Intentionality has a plan. Intentionality has a schedule. Intentionality leads to happening. Intentionality leads to doing. Intentionality gets results. Intentionality has a product. Intentionality has an outcome.

Intentionality involves a decision that leads to action. The decisions originated in thoughts. We see the Lord’s intentionality in His decision to create mankind and in His decision to redeem mankind. Since the Lord has the capacity to do anything, all He has to do is decide and what He decides happens.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ”declares the Lord “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Perhaps the classic example of a decision being made with intentionality comes from Joshua. Joshua gives an exhortation to the children of Israel and declares his personal intentionality.

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

Joshua declared his intention by declaring his choice. His choice reflects his decision. He declared his purpose and commitment.

Consider this and think about what goes into the brackets.

In the Middle

In Between

[********] [Intentionality] [*********]

Challenge #1

See if you can discover what goes before intentionality and what follows. Along with the previous discussion of intentionality, the following examples of intentionality provide an opportunity to discern what precedes intentionality and what comes behind. I admit the examples are a bit tedious.

Hint: Just for fun let us look at some of the routine exercises of intentionality in my life. As I go through these illustrations, think about how you exercise intentionality in your routines.

A new day arrives an I intentionally get myself out of bed, intentionally get dressed and intentionally put on my glasses. If it is winter, I intentionally start the fire in the wood stove. If it is winter, I intentionally bundle up and go outside to do the morning chores. I intentionally feed the wild birds. I intentionally tend to the horses and barn cats. I intentionally return to the house and intentionally take off the warm clothes. I intentionally go into the office and intentionally turn on the computer so it will be up and ready for me to use.

I further prepare for the day by intentionally putting in my teeth, intentionally putting on my hearing aids and intentionally turning on my cell phone. I intentionally give my wife her second or third kiss of the morning and intentionally go to my computer. I intentionally check out the overnight news and intentionally look to see if I have any new emails. I intentionally check to see if I have any student activity (I teach online courses).

I do not need to go on and on about intentionality in my routine but it must be noted that every act of intentionality was preceded by a decision. My mind produced thoughts that led to the decision that drove the intentionality to act. Keep this in mind as I drag you through another illustration of intentionality that involves more than me.

Hint: Here is the setting. Our local fellowship meets weekly for a group Bible study. We meet in a member’s home for a meal before the study. Each participant intentionally plans and arranges to attend. There are many intentional steps and arrangements that each goes through to arrive for the Bible study. Remember we start with a meal together. Some members, mostly the ladies intentionally decide on what is going to be served. They intentionally communicate with others about the menu. Texting is wonderful. Somehow, they intentionally decide who is going to bring what. Each then intentionally goes through the process of a series of intentions to produce what was determined to be their role in the meal. Wonderfully everything comes together driven by a bunch of intentions to produce a tasty meal.

.When the Bible study begins, someone intentionally selects some Bible verse that we are going to sing. Then someone intentionally opens the study with prayer. Then a series of verses are intentionally read by several people. Then individuals intentionally speak to the content of the verses being studied. At the end of the study time someone intentionally closes in prayer. Then we intentionally enjoy a dessert. Then after some more conversation we intentionally go home. I am sure that the hosts are relieved by our departure because they will intentionally have to get up early the next morning to go to work.

Hint: There also many examples where believers are told to respond with intentionality to the commands and expectations of the Lord.

Here is an example of intentionality leading to doing.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22).

Doing demonstrates intentionality. Just hearing or just thinking about is not sufficient. There needs to be intentionality leading to doing. James goes on to explain the result of not having intentionality that leads to doing.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like (James 1:23-24).

Pause:

[********] [Intentionality] [*********]

Think about what words might go into the category before intentionality and what words might go in the category after intentionality. Allow me to suggest some.

[thoughts, beliefs, ideas] [Intentionality] [deeds, results, outcomes]

Making a “decision” is an important component of intentionality but I am not sure if it goes in the category before intentionality or if it is in the category of intentionality. What do you think? What about “motivation” does it go in the category before intentionality or in the category of intentionality, I am not sure. What do you think? Where does the word “choice” fit? What about the word “plan”? Does it go in the category of intentionality or behind it? Finally, what about the word “will”? I am not sure but maybe “will” fits in all three categories. Something to think about. Can you think of other words that might fit in these before and after categories?

[thinking, believing] [Intending] [doing, creating, achieving]

We have been talking about intentionality in a reflecting manner. These are words of action. This is intentionality happening in the now. May I suggest an activity for application of these concepts. Go back to one of my tedious examples of intentionality and speculate on what words might fit into the before intentionality and after intentionality. Example: When I intentionality get out of bed, I am thinking I need to get started on my responsivities for the day, build a fire, animal care, etc. and the result of my intentionality is I get out of bed.

Pause:

Notice the sequential nature that often appears in these examples of intentionality. One intention leads to another. It seems that intentionality is important to movement. Can you see how intentionality plays out in life?

As we read the Bible, it seems that there is evidence all over the place of examples of intentionality. There is intentionality from the Lord to mankind. There is intentionality from mankind to the Lord. There is intentionality between individual members of mankind.

Again, each of those intentional acts was preceded by an individual decision that was born in the mind. My intention in writing about intentionality originated from a point about intentionality that was raised in a conference that my wife and I attended. I was struck by the importance of intention and having intentionality about the things we do.

Every word written or spoken has an author. Usually, every word written or spoken has an audience. Usually, the author or speaker has an audience in mind, a “who” that will read or hear the message that the author is intending to communicate. In this writing, the “who” is you, even though I probably do not know “who” you are. Also, usually every reader or hearer is aware that there is a “who” that originated what is being read or heard. Again, the reader or hearer may not know the “who” that is the author. We must acknowledge that the reader or hearer had an intention that led to the act of reading or hearing. There also were thoughts resulting in an intention in responses to what was read or heard.

Challenge #2: Look at these samples of verses to see the role of intentionality. Notice in these samples God’s intentionality and examples of believers’ intentionality in response to God. We would expect that the believer’s intentionality would be directed to obedience to God’s intentionality toward the believer. I have indicated in bold some examples of what I see as intentionality in the verses. See if you agree or if you can see other examples.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst (1 Timothy 1:15).

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship (Galatians 4:4-5).

For he says, In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (Ephesians 1:4-5).

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27).

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:10-18).

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters (Hebrews 13:1).

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Colossians 3:8-10).

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8).

These are just a few of the examples from Scripture of what the Lord has done intentionally for believers and what believers are instructed to do to please the Lord by obeying and showing His love to others. How is it possible for believers to do this with intentionality? The Lord has intentionally provided a way.

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

You may be wondering why all this is about intention, intentional, intentionally, and intentionality. I do have an intentional main point, and you probably have already recognized it. My intention is through this exhaustive discussion of intentionality, you will intentionally join me in noticing the Lord’s intentionality toward mankind, you, and me. I also desire that you will join me in intentionally looking for the intentionality that is necessary to respond to the instructions from Scripture about how we are to relate to God and to each other. This is the important move from being a hearer to a doer. Doing is the product of intentionality.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22).

Me We

On this adventure in Biblical thinking, we are going to start with a bunch of “stating the obvious.” Please bear with me because I will be building a foundation for what we will explore in depth later. Perhaps you are intrigued by the title.

As I talk about “me,” obviously, I am talking about myself. However, as you read what I am writing, when I use “me,” think about yourself. So, I am “me” and you are “me”. Looking a little closer, notice that “me” is solitary, individual, alone. There is only one “me”.

Visualize a circle, and in the middle of the circle is “me.” Notice that “me” is all alone and everyone else is outside the circle. Also, “me” has a name. This is pretty simple.

Now we will talk about “we”. “We” is not an individual. “We” is more than one. It has to be or it would be “me”. Also, notice that although there is more than one in “we,” at least one of the “we” has to be “me.” “We” can be two; you and “me” make “we.” My wife and “me” make “we”.

“We” is a category and needs a descriptor. Often, the category has a name. There is a characteristic for each member of “we” in the category that somehow matches the descriptor or name. Let’s not make this too hard. I have already mentioned that my wife and me” are a “we.” Our family of origin constitutes a “we”, usually recognized by having the same last name. Everyone else is outside that “we”. Then there is the “we” of the extended family. Each member qualifies to be included in the “we” because they have some characteristic of relationship. The pattern continues, the “we” of citizens of our country, the “we” of residents of our local community, members of a club, etc. You get the picture.

Hang on, I want to develop some more background. Here are some more features of “we”. Each “we” has members. The members of each “we” have roles, relationships, and responsibilities. The nature of the “we” determines the nature of the roles, relationships, and responsibilities. If the “we” is a marriage, the husband and wife each have a role, a relationship, and responsibilities. If the “we” is a family of origin, each member has a role, relationships, and responsibilities. There are all kinds of considerations about what the roles, relationships, and responsibilities of individual members of the “we” are to be. Certainly, there are opinions about how well each member may perform their roles, relationships, and responsibilities.

Sometimes a member of a “we” has choices about their role and level of participation. Sometimes there are elements of rank within a “we”. Sometimes a person is a member of a “we” and they had no choice in the matter. That is true of the “we” of families of origin. Other times, a person had a choice of joining a particular “we.” This is true of a “we” of a club or some organizations. Sometimes the membership in “we” can be temporary. A person can leave. An example of this change of “we” happens when a person changes employers. They become part of a new “we”.

Can you see that we all live in a world of “me” and “we”? There is no escaping this world while we are still here in these bodies. I believe that it will be very helpful to explore the implications of this world of “me” and “we” in reference to being a Jesus follower. Let’s dig into and start with “me”.

We will begin by looking at a very familiar verse that indicates how a person becomes a Jesus follower.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16 KJV).

In this verse, the term “world” refers to an all-inclusive “we.” Every member of mankind from the beginning of time and into the future is part of this “we”. There are no members of mankind outside this “we”. The term “whosoever” refers to an exclusive “me”. There will be many different “me’s” who will respond by believing in the only begotten Son and will become a part of a new “we”. Here is another verse that clearly distinguishes that there are those who are in the “whosoever” “we” and those who are not.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them (John 3:36).

Here we see a “we” that has everlasting life and a “we” that is perishing with the wrath of God abiding on them. Each “we” is exclusive.

We will be talking at length about these “we’s” later, but for now we want to stick with the “whosoever” “me.” For each believing “me,” the act of choosing to believe is deeply personal and individual. That is implied in the term “whosoever”. Interestingly, the very act of “me” choosing to believe creates a unique and special “we”. This “we” is composed of two beings, “me” and God. Pause to picture a circle composed of only “me” and God. This special God “we” is eternal and permanent. There will always be this “we” with only God and “me”.

Focusing on the special God “we”, each “me” has been born-again into the family of God. Each “me” has a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and has the Holy Spirit in them. This new position for “me” carries many benefits, an inheritance, a promise of the Lord never leaving them, a promise of eternity with the Lord, a promise of never dying and a promise of provision and protection, just to name a few.

Eugene Peterson frames this special “we” composed of only Jesus and “me” as God with us, God in us, and God for us. I really like this way of thinking about this “we” of Jesus and “me”. Picture a circle again, and in that “we” circle is Jesus and “me”.

With: and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Mathew 28:20).

In: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

For: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

There are many other verses that state or illustrate that the Lord is with, in, and for us. Perhaps you can think of some.

Earlier, we discussed that in each “we” there are roles, relationships, and responsibilities. Let’s ponder this application to the “we” of Jesus and “me”. The role of Jesus began as Creator, and He became Savior, but this role of Jesus is true for all mankind, not just “me.” But when “me” entered into the “we” of Jesus and “me” a relationship was established. Naturally, responsibilities go with a relationship.

I want to focus on two models of the relationship for the Jesus and “me”, “we.” Often, the Lord in Scripture uses analogies to help us understand His revelation. It can be assumed that the analogies, though very helpful, are limited because the revelation of the relationship is greater than the analogy. The first analogy to consider is that of Master and servant. Jesus is the Master, hence Lord. Sometimes, He was addressed as Teacher or Rabbi. As Master or Lord, He has a position of authority. Jesus as Lord is in charge. As “me,” my role in the relationship is to be one of obedience. Simply, obey the authority.

There is a great story in the Bible that illustrates this:

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well (Luke 7:1-10).

Notice that the centurion understood how authority works. The one in authority tells what to do, and the one under authority does it. Also, the centurion recognized that Jesus was the one in authority, and if He commanded something, it happened.

Before we leave the Master-servant model, it must be pointed out that Jesus, as Master, always has the best intentions toward His servant. He always has plans and purposes that are for the good of “me”. Since He knows all and can do anything, obedience is a very safe thing to do. Also, this is a love relationship. Jesus loves “me” and “me” loves Jesus. “Me” can demonstrate love by obedience: “If you love me, keep my commands (John 14:15).

The other analogy, and the one I particularly like, is found in John 10, where Jesus is identified as the Good Shepherd. I think the reason I particularly like this analogy is that my wife and I had sheep for over twenty years. Sometimes we had as few as two, and other times we have had as many as 80. So, I am very familiar with sheep because I can identify with the role of both the shepherd and the sheep.

The analogy of the Good Shepherd speaks of a relationship. The Good Shepherd knows the name of the sheep, “me” and calls “me” by name. The sheep, “me”, listens to and hears the Good Shepherd’s voice. The sheep, “me,” knows the voice of the Good Shepherd and will never follow a stranger. The Good Shepherd goes ahead and leads, and the sheep, “me”, follows. The Good Shepherd leads the sheep, “me,” into pasture. The sheep, “me,” needs to eat or he will die. The sheep, “me”, needs to have life, and the Good Shepherd will provide an abundant life. The Good Shepherd protects the sheep, “me,” and lays down His life for the sheep, “me.”

In these passages, Jesus goes on to explain the analogy. Jesus is not talking about sheep. He is talking about people, “me”. He also explains about His relationship with the Father “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father:” Notice that the authority factor appears again. He is foreshadowing the crucifixion and resurrection. He also adds that I am not the only “me” because there are other sheep, “me’s”. Other “me’s” indicate that there is a flock of “me’s”. We will be looking at that soon. Take the time to carefully read through this passage and listen carefully to what Jesus is saying.

Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father (John 10:1-18).

I picture the Good Shepherd leading “me” on the path of my life here on earth. He is guiding, protecting, and providing. Clearly, He is with “me”, in “me”, and for “me.” My role is simply to listen and follow. This translates into a relationship. His responsibility is to speak and lead. My responsibility is to listen and follow. I like how this pattern fits so well into how Jesus asked His disciples to follow Him. Now, I, “me”, can identify “me” as a Jesus follower.

Think of Psalms 23. You may want to take time to read it. Here is another example of the Lord as my Shepherd. In this Psalm, the Shepherd leads, provides, and protects, and He is with the sheep.

This is a good point for a reminder. This “we” of just Jesus and “me” is exclusive. There is no third party. This is a good thing and makes this “we” of Jesus and “me” special, private. precious and purposeful. Believers want to remain on guard so that they do not allow anyone or anything to break into this special “we.” This is why the sheep, “me,” listens for the voice and hears the voice of the Shepherd, but will not listen to or follow the stranger. Outside the special “we” of just Jesus and “me” everyone is a stranger.

This exclusivity of the “we” of just Jesus and “me” applies to the analogy of Master-servant. Consider this verse:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24).

Although the verse speaks specifically about the conflict between serving God and money, it is safe to say that anything or anyone that is served other than God is a conflict. In the “we” of just Jesus and “me,” it is impossible to allow another master because a person will end up loving and being devoted to one and hating and despising the other. Once again, “me” must remain on guard against any invasion of another master to be inserted into the “we” of just Jesus and “me”.

It is helpful in protecting and securing the “we” of just Jesus and “me” to know the Word of God because that is where Jesus has spoken, and then to do the Word of God in obedience because that is following Him. Also, it is important to be listening for direction from Jesus as He speaks directly to “me” in my heart. This direct speaking will never be in conflict with what He has revealed in the Word of God.

Previously I have eluded to and Scripture has eluded to another “we” that is important to “me” as a follower of Jesus. In this “we,” there is a collection of “me’s” who have the common feature of being born-again followers of Jesus. Eugene Peterson refers to this “we” as the Jesus community. Scripture refers to this “we” as the body of Christ. As we saw earlier this “we” is exclusive because the members have believed in the only begotten Son and received eternal life. Everyone outside this “we” is perishing. The boundaries are clear.

After we read through the New Testament’s four Gospels, we come to the time following the ascension of Jesus in Acts, where we find the formation of this “we” of believers. This “we” was referred to as The Way and was first called Christians at Antioch. Clearly, the members of this “we” began to gather together. It appears that they typically gathered in homes. These gatherings were called assemblies. Translators of the Bible have used the word, church, as a name for these assemblies. Through the years, the word, church, has come to mean more than just the local assembly described in the New Testament, and the meaning of the word has come to include buildings and even whole denominations.

The “we” of the body of Christ is identified in Scripture in two ways. There is the “we” of what is called the church universal. This “we” is referring to all born-again believers between the time of the ascension of Jesus until His return to earth (often referred to as the rapture) to take all of these believers to be with Him. This is referred to as the blessed return of the Lord Jesus. One of the clearest examples of this universal body is the descriptor of this “we” as the bride of Christ in Revelation and what is called the wedding feast of the lamb.

while we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready (Revelation 19:7).

For our discussion of the “we” of the Jesus community, I want to keep things simple and focus on what is revealed in Scripture about the local assembly. Although all believers are members of the universal “we” and will receive all the benefits that go with it, the believers on earth will be experiencing only the local body “we”. Most of guidance in the Scripture is about how each “me” in the local body “we” are to function together.

I want to focus on the analogy of this “we” being the body of Christ by looking at some Scripture.

Christ is the head of His body, the church “we”.

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy (Colossians 1:18).

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church (Ephesians 1:22).

or the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior (Ephesians 5:23).

and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it (Colossians 2:19).

The “me’s” in the “we” are members and parts of the body of Christ.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body (Ephesians 4:25).

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Members of the body “we” edify (build up) other members “me’s” for the purpose of unity and reaching maturity.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians (4:11-16).

Time to summarize what we have learned about the local assembly “we”. The analogy of a body is a great way to illustrate the relationships within the local assembly “we” because anyone can relate because everyone has a body. It is understood that the head with its brain is the control center for the entire body. Our current understanding of how the body functions and the critical role of the head where the brain resides is much more advanced than in the early days when the Scripture was written.

So, it is established that Christ is the head and therefore in charge of all of the rest of the body. Next, in the lengthy passage from 1 Corinthians, we see detailed examples of the value and importance of each of the parts. There is emphasis on the fact that the parts (individual “me’s”) are uniquely different and also uniquely important to the successful functioning of the whole body, “we”. Each “me” is needed by every other “me”.

Then in passages from Ephesians 4, there is the explanation about how Christ has also given unique “me’s” (apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers) to the body “we” for a specific purpose. The purpose is to build up the individual “me’s” (1) to prepare them to serve, (2) to grow them to maturity, (3) to bring them to unity, and (4) to become Christ-like. We can see that this results in the whole body “we” in which each part “me” is growing up in a Christ-like way and able to do their part in the body for the benefit of the whole body “we”.

This is a beautiful thing, but there is a caution. Just as we explored the importance of not allowing anyone or anything to get between “me” and Jesus in our special “we” where Jesus is the Shepherd and Master, it is important not to let anyone or anything get between the head and the body in the body “we”. This means that there must remain a direct connection between the members of the body “me’s” and Jesus as the head.

However, what do we see happening in the body “we”? Sadly, often the pattern has been for individuals with titles, religious professionals, organizations with programs, traditions of men, defined protocols, and rituals to become inserted between the head and the body. These extra-Biblical insertions can appear to be good ideas by seemingly good people; however, the issue is always: have these somehow come between the head and the body “we”? Picture a body in which the head is separated from the body, and instead of a neck connecting the head and body, there is someone or something else inserted. Not a pretty picture, particularly when compared to the beautiful picture of body and head portrayed in Scripture.

Picture the individual “me’s” in a local body “we”. Collectively looking to and waiting on the Spirit of God to guide, lead, and direct them collectively in worship and service as they mature in unity. It will look much like the picture of the Jesus and “me” model. In both the small individual “we” and the larger collective body “we,” it is the same Jesus leading and working through the same Holy Spirit. The individual Jesus and “me,” “we,” and the Jesus as head of the body “we” are dependent on the exclusive guidance provided by Jesus in the Holy Scriptures.

One more thing. It is understood that each “me” in the body “we” has the Spirit of God dwelling in them. However, Jesus states that when two or three “me’s” gather in His Name, Jesus is there in a special way.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).

Love Yourself

In this adventure, think about the first and second commandments as stated by Jesus.

He answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).

The standard for loving your neighbor is set clearly as being equivalent to how a person loves themselves. Then Jesus raises the standard even higher.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34 KJV).

He repeats this commandment.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12 KJV).

However, let’s think about the second commandment’s admonition to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Do we really love ourselves? Can loving ourselves be a good thing?

Paul gives instructions to husbands about how to love their wives:

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church (Ephesians 5:28-29).

It sounds like Paul believes that it is a self-evident truth that no one would ever hate themselves, at least, not hate their bodies, and rather would feed and care for their body.

Yet, a conflict arises because Jesus followers are caught between an awareness of their own tendency to sin as well as the reality of sins that they have committed. This leaves it a very undesirable notion that they should love themselves.

We will try to gain some understanding about why we have this conflict. Anyone who has any knowledge about God or even some awareness of Easter knows there is the issue of sin. With a closer look, they realize that they have sinned and are a sinner. Further thought brings up that the issue of sin is a problem for God.

If there is any awareness of the Hebrew Scriptures, they know that under the law of Moses, the Lord directed an elaborate process for animal sacrifices to address the need for forgiveness from sin before God. If a person has read even a little way into Genesis, they know about Adam and Eve’s sin and that animals were killed and sacrificed to provide a skin covering for them.

Then there is the incredible story about the advent of Jesus, His ministry, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Clearly, it is proclaimed that the “yourself” you are supposed to love is a sinner. There is nothing attractive about this fact. Here is a clear proclamation:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Then we hear this verse:

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away (Isaiah 64:6).

Here is the problem: Since these statements come from the Bible and we believe the Bible speaks the truth, how can a person love this “yourself”?

Let’s compound the problem a little more. Remember, we are looking at the second commandment. Consider the first commandment. We are to love the Lord our God wholeheartedly, with every bit of our soul, in full strength, and with a fully focused mind. Now, what person has ever done that? Even with the best of intentions, the intensity of this commandment is overwhelming.

So, when we come to the second commandment, we are already aware of failure to fully keep the first commandment, and it is pretty obvious that the first must be the most important. This evaluation leaves everyone wondering what it is there about this “yourself” to love. And yet the second commandment is very clear.

Fortunately, Jesus settled the issue about who our neighbor is in the story of the good Samaritan. Our neighbor is anyone we come close to and to whom we could demonstrate some care. Showing care is a demonstration of love.

Reflecting back to the verse about how husbands should love their wives and the statement that nobody hates their own body, there could be a helpful clue.

Let’s consider what is known as the Golden Rule.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).

This verse turns things around because we are asked to consider ourselves to be the neighbor and consider how we want to be treated. When considering how we want to be treated, we discover that we do care about ourselves. Caring about ourselves is an expression of loving ourselves. We want to be treated kindly, generously, politely, and safely. We want our comfort considered. So, in the reality of day-to-day life, we do really love ourselves. From this perspective, we can conclude that this kind of love for yourself really makes sense.

Earlier, we mentioned that the command of Jesus was to love others as He loves us. In a word, the love of Jesus is demonstrated in His sacrificing His life on the cross as a payment for sin. The benefit of His sacrifice is salvation for those who believe in Him. In this verse, we see another standard.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13).

This sacrifice was done willingly by the Lord Jesus. This is what he said.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father (John 10:18).

Jesus also framed His willingness to die for sinners when He said this:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

This moves us into a segue to look at the “yourself” as a born-again believer. What does the Scripture say?

Born-again believers are loved by God. This is clearly stated in this famous verse:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The gift of the one and only Son was given to born-again believers at a time when they were in desperate need, even if they did not know it.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).

Believers have the forgiveness of their sins.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7).

Believers were chosen by the Lord.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4).

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9)

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:11).

Born-again believers have been adopted into the family of God and have become heirs.

he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– (Ephesians 1:5).

Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17).

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father (Romans 8:15).

Born-again believers are in a wonderful and rich position, and this verse comprehensively states this.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30).

Born-again believers have the blessing of receiving the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit dwells in them. Believers have become a new creation and are being transformed into the image of Christ.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Now back to the question. What is a basis for a person to love themselves? After looking at these verses that demonstrate the Lord’s provision for born-again believers who are Jesus followers, we come to this question. How can we not love ourselves in light of the clear fact that the Lord loves us? Can you see that we need to view ourselves as the Lord views us? To the Lord, we are very valuable. He paid a high price for us.

you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Here is an analogy that I find helpful. Think of a newborn baby. The baby arrives at a family. Usually, this is a joyful time for the family. However, the baby simply gets to be just a baby. The baby receives a name. The baby has a position in the family. The baby finds that preparations have been made for his or her arrival. The baby has a bed. The baby has clothes. The baby has food. Every need of the baby has been anticipated, and steps have been taken to meet those needs. Notice, the baby does not have to do anything, just be a baby. Everything the baby needs to survive and prosper has been anticipated and prepared.

Do babies love themselves? Everything a baby does has to do with the baby. The baby sleeps. The baby eats. The baby fills the diaper. The baby cries. The baby is all about the baby. However, the baby is completely dependent on others for survival and prosperity.

In some ways, the questions about babies loving themselves don’t make sense. The baby is okay with the way things are. Their needs are covered. What is there not to love about their lives? If something is not okay from their perspective, all they have to do is cry out to their caregivers.

Maybe we should think of loving ourselves as accepting our position and condition like a baby does. The baby doesn’t mind being dependent. Perhaps we can get some insight into loving ourselves from the viewpoint of a baby. This could be stated this way: It is okay to love who Jesus loves because He loves me.

We all know that babies are born. We all know that we were born, and we celebrate our birthday on the date of our birth. When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, observing that Jesus must have come from God because of the miracles, he was given this message:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (John 3:3)

Wow! Physical life begins with birth and spiritual life begins with birth. Jesus went on to explain:

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8).

When a person first comes to Christ, they are referred to in Scripture as “babes in Christ”. Sometimes we call them baby Christians. This makes sense because although their “eternal life” is complete, it is new to them. One example from Scripture is found in the Corinthian believers and was actually a reprimand because they were having problems.

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV).

What follows being born-again? Food!

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2).

What follows being born-again? Care!

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes…. (30) and your Father knows that you need them (Luke 12:22-23 & 30).

What follows being born-again? Response from the caregiver!

…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8).

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

What follows being born-again? Security from the caregiver!

…And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).

Notice: the answer to the question, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? …is: nothing because we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

As we reflect back over these wonderful positional possessions that a born-again believer received upon believing in the one and only Son, Jesus, we realize these possessions are present immediately upon becoming a believer while still very much a babe in Christ. Just as physical babes contributed nothing to their positional possessions, spiritual babes contributed nothing. Just as physical babes trust others for survival and prosperity, spiritual babes trust the Lord.

Ponder this thought:

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3).

Little children are very trusting. I remember that when my children were small and I carried them around like parents do, the children were so trusting. I can remember carrying them on my shoulders. I can remember them running and jumping into my arms. I remember playing the game of holding them by their hands and swinging them in a circle. I also remember thinking that as an adult, I would never let anyone do that to me. I just couldn’t trust like that. Somehow, my children trusted that I would never hurt them. They saw me as safe. That is exactly how a born-again believer’s relationship can be and should be with the Lord. The relationship should be trusting and understood to be safe.

Now, how does this relate to loving oneself? To answer this question, we need to discard some wrong perceptions about self-love. We are not talking about the obnoxious narcissistic self-love where everything is all about the person. We are not talking about the delusion of grandeur, self-love, where the person has unrealistic and untrue views about their own capacities or importance. We are not talking about boisterous self-love where the person is forever bragging about their accomplishments or importance. We are not talking about the dramatic demonstrations of self-love that are attention-seeking. We are not talking about prideful expressions of self-love.

All of these public demonstrations of self-love are something that most people don’t want to demonstrate. So, we are left with the challenge of figuring out how to love yourself in a way that is meant by the verse. My conclusion is that the self-love of the verse is at least to some degree modeled in what we see in a baby. The baby has a settled, trusting acceptance of who they are in the family and a confidence that they are under the faithful care of others. This is a very restful place. The born-again believer is in a very restful and safe place as a child of God. There is no place for boasting or pride because everything needed is safely in the hands of Someone who loves us.

Ultimately, we must ask this question. How can we not love someone that God loves? The point is that the born-again believer’s self-love is based on who the believer is in relationship to the Lord and His Kingdom. From this awareness, it is clearly appropriate to obey the first commandment. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.

We have labored to grasp some understanding of the concept of loving ourselves. I believe that this thinking exercise is helpful both emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. To be willing to accept the truth that a born-again believer is safely accepted and kept in the Lord’s family because of the great salvation that has been given is a peaceful resting place.

However, the Lord Jesus introduced a new focus and a new standard of love for believers. This was mentioned early on in this thinking adventure. I repeat:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34 KJV).

Jesus continues by showing that obedience to this new commandment will be the testimony of the believers’ relationship to Him for the world to see.

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

In conclusion, we listen to this verse:

We love because he first loved us (I John 4:9).

The Names of Jesus

Why names? What’s in a name? I have one. You have one. Everybody I ever met had one. Simply names are used for identification. Looking at basic grammar and parts of speech, we learn that a noun names a person, place, or thing. Please bear with me as I spend time talking about the obvious because I am building background.

Places have names, the White House, the Golden Gate Bridge. Streets and roads have names, which is how we gain an address. Events have names: the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl. Some animals have names. Our horses and cats have names. Exclusive names are proper nouns and must start with a capital letter. Our horses’ names are Sash and Flicka. They are exclusive because there is only one Sash and one Flicka. However, names sometimes are about categories. The word, horses, names a category and is inclusive of all horses. Hence, the category, horses, includes Sash and Flicka.

I have a first name, a middle name, and a last name. These further clarify identity. These make me exclusive because there is only one me. However, the inclusion of a last name moves into a category of inclusion because it connects with a family with the last name of Daniel. Actually, it is also a category of exclusion because anyone without the last name of Daniel is excluded. To be more precise, or more confusing, subcategories are involved. There is the exclusive Daniel name category that includes only my family of origin, Dad, Mom, and siblings. There is also the Daniel name category that includes my children and my siblings’ children, and our children’s children. This could go on and on by looking backward with the category of my Dad’s family of origin, etc. You get the picture.

Another feature of names includes the addition of a rank or title linked to a position. These features provide greater detail. Examples: President Trump, Judge Roberts, Congressman Tipton, Governor Newsom, Commissioner Jones, Pastor Stanley. Sometimes it is a matter of rank. Examples: Col. Tucker, Commander Wolfe, Master Sargent Hopkins, Captain Copley, General Flynn.

In my experience, I have had the titles of Principal Daniel, Superintendent Daniel, Professor Daniel, and others. These additions indicate what the named person does or did. As we examine the names of Jesus, we will see that His names are always exclusive and tell about what He does or did. We will also see that His names address the issue of rank and position.

As we explore the many names, titles, and descriptions of Jesus, it is good to reflect on the fact that the Lord has chosen to reveal Himself to us. The many names and descriptions provide multiple perspectives and views of who He is, so that He becomes more real, and then we can love him more.

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2).

Immanuel

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:23).

This is a message in a dream from an angel to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, telling him to take Mary to be his wife. The angel is quoting Isaiah 7:17. This is a message of the arrival of the promised Messiah. Just think of it, “God is with us”. What a wonderful message and blessing. Jesus is God, and He is with us. This makes Him more real and more loved.

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).

These names for the Lord Jesus take away my breath. The name Wonderful speaks of worthiness to receive worship. Somehow Wonderful is inclusive of all He is and all He has done. Counselor speaks of one who comes close providing guidance and advice for facing the challenges and troubles of life. The Mighty God speaks of His great power. The word, Mighty, is awe-inspiring.

The Everlasting Father assures that He is forever and ever and that He will not be leaving or going away. Prince of Peace tells of relief from war, conflict, and turmoil. These names make me feel really safe and at rest. Each of these names makes Him more real, and each makes me very thankful to be His child, and it really makes me love Him more.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).

Can you read this verse without thinking of the Hallelujah Chorus? These names fill my heart with worship, and I cannot hear these names without tears. Contrast this with the humiliation of Jesus in the way He was treated before Pilate and His suffering on the cross. He is our hero and, in these names, He is being honored. Once again, He becomes more real and I love Him more.

Lamb of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. He also proclaims the mission of Jesus. Clearly, this name signifies Jesus as the sacrificial lamb. We may have images of a lamb as weak, soft, and cuddly. Certainly, we would never think of a lamb as dangerous. But this lamb is the Lamb of God, and although He humbled Himself to be the righteous sacrifice, He is not weak. Take heed to this series of verses from Revelation where His name as the Lamb is repeatedly used. This Lamb is not meek and mild!

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers(Revelation 17:14).

All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast–all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! (Revelation 6:16).

and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations (Revelation 16:13).

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1).

Son of God and Loved Son

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20).

But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am. (Luke 22:69-70).

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5).

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16-17).

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).

Jesus is identified as the Son of God both as a title and as a Son in a relationship with the Father. The Father calls Jesus his beloved Son. I am my father’s son, and sometimes he addressed me as son, but my name is Elden. I am known as a son of Arvy. Son of God is a title that declares a relationship. As a son of Arvy, I am of the same nature, two human beings with the last name of Daniel. In that sense, we are equal. Jesus, as the Son of God, is equal, and the Father and the Son are God.

Here is an interesting point. The Father declared Jesus as His Son. Jesus declared Himself as the Son. Believers recognize and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God. Notice that Satan and his demons also identify Jesus as the Son of God.

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:3).

If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” (Matthew 4:6).

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (Matthew 8:28-29).

Chief Cornerstone

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (1Peter 1:6-7).

Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. A cornerstone represents the initial starting place in the construction of a monumental building and is considered essential, indispensable, or basic. This name declares that Jesus is most important and that everything rests on Him. Without Him, there is no building. This declaration of importance makes Jesus more real and makes us love Him more.

Alpha and Omega

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8).

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End… (Revelation 21:6).

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13).

I picture alpha and omega as two bookends. Everything starts and begins with Jesus, and everything will end with Jesus. Everything else fits within these two ends. Clearly, Jesus is the preeminent One. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). This name, like Chief Cornerstone, proclaims the essentialness of the Lord Jesus. This essentialness makes Jesus more real, and hence we can love Him more.

Son of Man

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man (Mark 2:10).

I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (Luke 12:8-10).

So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28).

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20).

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:34).

As you know, the Passover is two days away–and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified (Matthew 26:2).

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40).

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners (Matthew 26:45).

but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22:48).

The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him! (Luke 22:22).

…Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61-62).

If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” (Luke 22:67-70).

Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30).

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done (Matthew 16:27).

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).

Are you wondering why so many verses are about the name Son of Man? You probably noticed in reading these verses that Jesus is doing the talking. I am sure you noticed that I put Son of Man in bold font. Jesus identified Himself most often in Scripture as the Son of Man. The name declares that He is both God and man. He is declaring the incarnation. As man, He is able to connect with mankind, as God, He is able to be our Savior. The power of this name makes Jesus more real and also creates deeper love from those who know Him.

Jesus (Yeshua)

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

The name for Jesus was given by an angel in a dream to Joseph. The name Jesus comes from a Hebrew word, Yeshua. The word comes from a verb, yasha, which means to deliver, save, or rescue. Greek translations list the yeshua as yesous from which we derive the name Jesus. Sometimes the name Jesus is associated with the name Joshua. In some English Bibles, Joshua is stated as Jeshua. Of course, Joshua, along with Moses, was a deliverer or savior for the Jewish people out of Egypt. Jesus is a personal name and speaks of Him as our Savior. The name makes Jesus seem closer and more real and more loved.

The Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life (1 John 1:1).

The Lord Jesus is identified as the Word. The significance of this name is reflected from the beginning when the Lord spoke creation into existence. “And God said…” (Genesis 1:3). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:6). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:9). “Then God said…” (Genesis 1:11.) “And God said…” (Genesis 1:14). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:20). “Then God said…” (Genesis 1:26.) Get the picture?

There is power in God’s words. Interestingly, Jesus is identified as the Word. Jesus is also truth and truth is proclaimed with words. “in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (2 Corinthians 6:7). “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:18). Picturing Jesus as the Word makes Him more real and we love Him more.

Master

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm (Luke 8:24).

Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” (Luke 9:49).

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18:18 KJV).

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee (Matthew 12:38 KJV).

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (Matthew 23:8 KJV).

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (Matthew 23:10 KJV).

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. (Matthew 26:25 KJV).

As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) (Luke 9:33).

Look at all these verses where Jesus is addressed as Master. Other translations sometimes use the word Teacher instead of Master. This is a term of respect and honor. Notice that Jesus is the only one to be recognized as the Master. Interestingly, both those who are friendly to Jesus and those who are unfriendly called Him Master. Knowing Jesus as Master makes Him more real and more loved.

Messiah/Christ

He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah ” (which translated means Christ) (John 1:41 NASB).

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us (John 4:25-26).

Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else? (Matthew 11:3 NLT).

If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded (Mark 9:41 NLT).

We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago (Luke 24:21 NLT).

Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory? (Luke 24:26 NLT).

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation (Colossians 1:15 NLT).

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything (Colossians 1:18 NLT)

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory (Romans 5:2 NLT).

This is a sampling of verses in the Bible where Jesus is given the title of Messiah or Christ. Messiah is the Hebrew term, and Christ is the Greek term. The meaning is the Anointed One. This is the name given to the expected Savior that God would send as prophesied in the Old Testament. There are many Old Testament prophecies predicting the coming of the Messiah, but I have chosen not to include them.

As we read through the verses, you can see that the people were expecting the appearance of the Messiah. We also see that Jesus acknowledged that He was the Messiah. We see references back to the prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament, including that He would suffer. We also see the great blessings that come with being connected to the Messiah/Christ. These verses and the information that comes with them make Jesus more real, and so we love Him more.

Savior

to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 1:25).

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11).

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).

but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10).

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14).

Savior is a name of Jesus that highlights what He did. He came to rescue us from sin and death. The Father gave His one and only Son so that we would not perish but have eternal life. Each of His names expands our understanding of who He is, but Savior drives home what He accomplished for every believer that each could not do for themselves. Ponder the thought of not perishing. Ponder the thought of eternal life. For each member of mankind, it is one or the other.

Think about this and be amazed. Think about this and feel loved. Each believer is part of His joy.

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).