Chess for One?

S - John 3:31-36 (NLT): ""He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit. The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything. And all who believe in God's Son have eternal life. Those who don't obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them.""

O - These are the words of John the Baptist in response to his disciples' concerns over Jesus baptizing more people than John. They arise in the context of a dispute over ceremonial cleanings. John does not engage the topic of cleansing but goes straight to the person of Jesus. He identifies some key realities about Jesus and about us. Jesus:
1. Is from above.
2. Is greater than anyone else.
3. Speaks God's words.
4. Has God's Spirit without measure or limit.
5. Is loved by the Father.
6. Has authority over everything.

All people are called and invited to believe, even though like John we all have the limitations of being of the earth. Those who believe:
1. Discover that God is true.
2. Have eternal life.
3. Obey Jesus and experience eternal life.

A - While the fullness of eternal life awaits the day when Jesus returns the beginning of it, in earnest, knows no delay. Not only does faith in Jesus establish the immediate possession of such life (like the possession of citizenship with all its rights, privileges and responsibilities) it throws open the doors of his irrepressible life unto the ongoing experience of it. Jesus is not calling me to a primarily cerebral engagement but to a personal and dynamic relationship. Faith in Jesus is not like a one-player chess game where we play both sides of the board, one for us and the other for how we think he would play. Jesus makes his own moves, calls me/us to come near and experience his person, spirit, love, forgiveness, mercy, brilliance, joy, hope and the myriad of other awesome realities which flow from his person. Faith in Jesus is not merely a change in categories or a change in worldview … it is a change in worlds … born again or from above is how he describes it. Let the growth begin, the discoveries come, the joys and challenges engage. Faith does not make me a member of club but of a family. We are not the result of our wills but of his - and he has called all to himself.

P - Lord from Above,

I do praise you for calling me/us to yourself and to the new creation, the new world which flows from your life to us. Jesus, you do put the face on God and no one is greater than you. Thank you for not confining me/us to cerebral gymnastics and mere changes in category. Thank you for giving us your very self and for wanting the same from us. As you continue to work, as the Father works and as the Spirit works, I want to work with you. To do what you are doing when you are doing it and when you're not doing it, or anything else, to not make it up or force the issue. The real joy is not in any accomplishment or attainment … it is in you alone.

Lord, I run to you,
Steve