Archive Page 2
Obedience
New Strength
Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Community of the Cross
– Community is One of the Beautiful Fruits of Christ’s Victory on the Cross –
Engage’s theme this year has been about the meaning of community in the Christian life. Numerous conceptions of and approaches to this idea can be made with equal validity. One such approach derives from Saint Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians. He explains the impact that Christ’s Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection have had on community:
Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end.
Eph. 2:14-16. Christ the Victor brings peace. We suffered division in at least two ways prior to Christ’s triumphant arrival: Jew from Gentile, and man from God. Christ’s Passion has reconciled both of these estrangements, and now we can truly be able to enjoy community in peace.
Typically, I reflect exclusively on the second healed division involving man and God. This always seemed to be the reconciliation that mattered, and naturally it is of the utmost importance. But Saint Paul makes clear to us that God has not just ransomed us from the clutches of evil by raising redeemed humanity up to Him. He has also reconciled us one to another. Plainly, this breaks down the traditional barriers between the Jews and the Gentiles. However, the larger point is that He has created a unified humanity, the Church.
My take away from this powerful scripture is that I need to look at my friendships as the very fruits of Christ’s Passion. How much more meaningful will my relationships be if I realize that Christ has sanctified them through the establishment of His Holy Church? I dare say I’d treat my friends much differently. He promises us that our connection to each other will grow with Christ as the foundation. His imagery is clear and strong: we should build upon one another as to build a very temple to God:
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members
of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Eph. 2:16-22.
– A man in Community
One
“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Philippians 2:1-2
There is only one way so many people from vastly different backgrounds, each having a different purpose and path in life, can be like minded and have the same accord and love. Some time read Luke 15 and think about how our unity and common focus ought to bringing in those who have left or have never known our unity so that they can be a part of it all.
Aaron
No Vision = Death
Prov. 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.” (American King James Version) Prov. 29:18 “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (New International Version) This verse comes back to me or a regular basis as I find it exceedingly true in my life. I have a hard time working, pushing, toiling, even praising when I am not able to see the end game. Without a real vision of who Jesus is, without a genuine perspective of myself relative to the God, I find myself slowing, my eyes dropping and my heart relating to the meaningless of toil as discussed in Ecclesiastes. But when I seek out vision from God, when I sit with God and gain a proper perspective on Him and of myself- I am often filled with passion, vigor, and purpose. Heb 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” I have heard truth defined as “unveiled reality,” seeing things as they really are. Jesus’s work on the cross and love for you and I are real, the vision or revelation of Him is the substance and truth that enables us to press on. He is our end game- keep your eyes on Him and push through the marshes.
– Jeremiah
Give a Response
Hey guys,
I have been talking to a friend who is an atheist about God and faith and it has been weighing heavily on me. When we first spoke and she raised some of her questions as to the existence of God I was taken a little aback. I had thought about some of the questions that she posed on my own and asked some very similar questions, but as is my personal nature, what I dont regularly contemplate I forget. While I could mention here that this points to the fact that I should, and those who are similar to me, constantly return to those things that are important to the foundations of who I am so as to not forget, I want to make a different point. I feel like I spend a lot of time thinking about how to better honor God and how to be a better man, but I do not often think about how to respond to someone who asks about my faith and why I believe. I think this is important as the scriptures say:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
And so, I encourage all of you to think about how to answer this question because I think we should be living lives where people cant help but ask us where our hope comes from, and Lord willing, we should be able to answer them.
-Michael