Good morning -
He is looking for a fulfilling lifetime relationship. No, it's not an ad from a singles column or web site, but it for real nevertheless:
"I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8-11)
A relationship with Jesus Christ is not so different than a marriage relationship; both are exclusive relationships. A man and woman who choose to enter into marriage are choosing to "forsake all others." They deliberately choose a relationship so intimate that it cannot be shared by anyone else. And so it is in a relationship with Jesus: to choose to "know Him" is to pursue a relationship of such an intimate nature that it is not possible for it to be shared with anyone else.
As one who had spent much of his life zealously "doing", the idea of a personal and intimate spiritual relationship was a revolutionary idea to the Apostle Paul. Having meaninglessly pursued spirituality through works, Paul saw the aspect of relationship with Jesus as infinitely more valuable. His exclusive goal and pursuit became that of the most intimate relationship possible in which he knew both the person and power of Jesus. Yet he knew that it was not a relationship solely based on pleasure, but one based also on pain: identifying with His suffering and death as the means of ultimately experiencing resurrection from the dead.
The secret of Paul's life was this secret relationship with Jesus his Lord, and therein lies the ultimate secret of our lives as well. All of the most devout Bible reading and study, prayer, and personal discipline will not be of any value unless they all lead us to a deeply personal and intimate relationship with Jesus. This is the ultimate goal. From this relationship all else originates: service, devotion, love, understanding, wisdom, and power.
It is amazing how so many other things get in the way of this highest of all goals and pursuits. Not only does the busyness of life intrude, but even Christian service and activity can become an enemy. Doing so easily replaces the act of being.
All relationships require an investment of time and energy, and none more than our relationship with Jesus our Lord. We are willing to make that investment when we see the value of the relationship. Through Jesus the Bible is opened for our understanding and application, we are enabled to most fully know God our Father, and we are energized with power that enables all areas of life to work for us.
This day will be completely devoid of meaning unless some portion of it is devoted to cultivated a relationship with Jesus. May a deep desire for that relationship lead you today into fulfilling intimacy.
Pastor Steve
He is looking for a fulfilling lifetime relationship. No, it's not an ad from a singles column or web site, but it for real nevertheless:
"I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8-11)
A relationship with Jesus Christ is not so different than a marriage relationship; both are exclusive relationships. A man and woman who choose to enter into marriage are choosing to "forsake all others." They deliberately choose a relationship so intimate that it cannot be shared by anyone else. And so it is in a relationship with Jesus: to choose to "know Him" is to pursue a relationship of such an intimate nature that it is not possible for it to be shared with anyone else.
As one who had spent much of his life zealously "doing", the idea of a personal and intimate spiritual relationship was a revolutionary idea to the Apostle Paul. Having meaninglessly pursued spirituality through works, Paul saw the aspect of relationship with Jesus as infinitely more valuable. His exclusive goal and pursuit became that of the most intimate relationship possible in which he knew both the person and power of Jesus. Yet he knew that it was not a relationship solely based on pleasure, but one based also on pain: identifying with His suffering and death as the means of ultimately experiencing resurrection from the dead.
The secret of Paul's life was this secret relationship with Jesus his Lord, and therein lies the ultimate secret of our lives as well. All of the most devout Bible reading and study, prayer, and personal discipline will not be of any value unless they all lead us to a deeply personal and intimate relationship with Jesus. This is the ultimate goal. From this relationship all else originates: service, devotion, love, understanding, wisdom, and power.
It is amazing how so many other things get in the way of this highest of all goals and pursuits. Not only does the busyness of life intrude, but even Christian service and activity can become an enemy. Doing so easily replaces the act of being.
All relationships require an investment of time and energy, and none more than our relationship with Jesus our Lord. We are willing to make that investment when we see the value of the relationship. Through Jesus the Bible is opened for our understanding and application, we are enabled to most fully know God our Father, and we are energized with power that enables all areas of life to work for us.
This day will be completely devoid of meaning unless some portion of it is devoted to cultivated a relationship with Jesus. May a deep desire for that relationship lead you today into fulfilling intimacy.
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 9:50 AM
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