When I first thought about sharing posts around the theme of God’s MESSAGE, the first thought that came into my mind was
:
“Why wouldn’t someone want to be loved the way Christ loves us? What is it about the message that they don’t understand?”
I saved the best part of the message for the last.
There are all kinds of people who believe in God’s redeeming, life-giving love. Unfortunately, those same people are confused with some who seek control; or those who have a hypocritical phoney-ness; or people who get wrapped up in man-made religious trappings. Some are recalling angry memories of being hurt by those in the church.
I am sorry that we (those who love Christ) have at times messed up the heart of what we believe. So sorry. We haven’t always lived out the best part of the MESSAGE.
The best part is about the word ‘relationship’.
It’s about having a deep-inside-our-gut belief that God is our Abba, our Daddy.
That is the heart of the relationship.
The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are his children. The reason the people in the world do not know us is that they have not known him. I John 3:1
You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16
And Jesus loves us beyond human comprehension. Who can figure out why someone would die for you when you are the one who messed up? Christ giving us a hand up out of our own stupidity and out of the nastiness of Satan’s lies is unfathomable. It is so good, so very good. Good because you know He is now Your absolute best friend.
That’s the life of the relationship.
At one time you were strangers to God and your minds were at war with Him. Your thoughts and actions were wrong. But Christ has brought you back to God by His death on the cross. In this way, Christ can bring you to God, holy and pure and without blame. Colossians 1:21-22
There is something even better about the best part.
The word ‘relationship’ begins to take on a whole new meaning when God brings us together.
We have each other.
God-filled, God-enriched,
God-restored relationships.
There is nothing, and I mean nothing, better than being with other alive, in-the-flesh people, who buy into the MESSAGE hook, line and sinker. God has given us a place to belong. He has given us others so we can share His love and offer the same grace He has given to us.
All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you became God’s people. We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us. Ephesians 4:4-6
I’m not talking about ‘church’ as many of us may remember it or how it is viewed by the world.
What is the church? Why do we get confused? “Because it’s messy. It’s unity in the midst of diversity.” (quote from an amazing message from my pastor, iUnity)
Relationships are at the center of the church that God intends –
God loved us so much He gave Christ, His Son, to take our place. People are connected together by accepting this amazing love. A relationship is forged by the Spirit with each other.
This relationship provides surprising opportunities full of
forgiveness, reconciliation, fellowship, and much, much more.
We are part of an incredible family and are together in this struggle called life. But when we give others a hand up, and when we are given chances to serve each other in many different ways, we are serving our loving God who wants so very much to bless us.
I have struggled with Oprah’s thoughts about Jesus over the years, but a friend sent this video to me and I had to put aside my concerns enough to share it with you. (No Sidney, it isn’t about spontaneity.)
It truly, truly shows the joyful fellowship that happens when Jesus shows up and is being glorified. You see, He wants us to be just like Him with each other. And when that happens, joy begins.