We are compelled to "Live Deeply in Christ."
"And now,
children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for him
when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for
red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives."
1 John 2:28 (The Message)
John writes beautifully, soulfully, and with true concern about
repentance, forgiveness and the Christian "way" for believers.
If browsing this Holy book (God's breath given to us in writing) for
the first time one may ask, "Who are these believers, John is speaking
of?" and "Who is this Christ?" As they continue exploring the
Bible, they will find the answer, because it is a living book, it speaks to the
hearts of men and it guides and directs "real" lives. It poses questions
to ponder and speaks with clarity; it brings logic to naught and gives faith
flesh and a heartbeat.
The quick answer: Christ is the same as God; He is God, and the
salvation of mankind. A peacemaker who rescued us, (by his death on the
cross) when we repent of our errors; the
sin of our unbelief. He is the "reconciler" and makes us presentable (in our new-found
purity) to Father God.
And, the Christian is one who believes that Jesus, the son of God, is
truly Christ, and His death for us was real. God is love, and His people must
be like Him. To live a victorious life, we must love others as well as
ourselves.
Now we're back to the reminder to "Live deeply in Christ."
Can I just as swiftly give directions for this?
In a word, or two...just give your "all" up to Him. However,
doing this becomes a more personal dilemma or a search for our own special need
for help. Turn again to the book that holds all answers, one scripture making
clear another.
"So, what do you think? With God on our
side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on
the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by
sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do
for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen?
Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised
to life for us!—is in the presence of God at
this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to
drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not
trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying
threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
'They kill us in
cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one
by one.' (Paul quoting Ps. 44:22)
"None of this fazes us because Jesus loves
us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or
dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or
unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master
has embraced us."
Romans 8:31-39 (The Message)
Wow! This is how to live deeply in Jesus Christ! Why
don't we put our trust in these words every single day, and live out our faith
on the foundation and source of these words given to Paul? Now that is something I don't understand and
I disappoint myself all too often by failing to do this.
I
am the culprit causing the "felt, experienced, and noticed" rift
between me and the Father (bad grammar; I know but ...) Not outside
forces, I move away from safety, love, security, etc.; most certainly not God,
he is unmovable. I am the one who retreats, and I must make the decision to
draw near. I must use my will, after all it was given to me to bring glory to
Him "who is above all names!"
As an explanation to the fresh Bible
reader, the new searcher; they way I do this, make right my relationship with
Him, is stay in His "Word!" I have a God-given compulsion to do so. I
will be a victor; His word is my sword it fights for me in dealing with the
things of life; with relationships (all,) distress (from any reason,) times of
want (there are many kinds of needs,) wrong desires (many kinds of those too.)
These thoughts are scattered all through the Bible. You will come upon
directions for handling them almost on
every page.
Yes, it is the living Word. You will
begin to realize this fully as you read, and the Holy Spirit opens your
understanding. And oh "Who is the Holy Spirit?" He is the one tugging
at your heart in this very moment, and the best way I can answer is to say read
on...
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