Confession - Good for the Soul; Insufficient for Forgiveness?

S - 1 John 1:8-9 (NIV): “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

O - When we think of the need all of us have for forgiveness these verses are clear but they are not complete.  Jesus has something to say about forgiveness … an essential instruction which includes MORE than confessing.  Jesus says (Matthew 6:14-15) "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." This unflinching reality is repeated by Jesus (Matthew 18:35; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37). It also forms the basis for how he teaches us to pray and receive forgiveness (Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4). According to Jesus, we must not deceive ourselves into thinking that we will be granted forgiveness if we are unwilling to give it.  Loving God with all we are and our neighbors as ourselves is always the most important, the greatest commandment. Jesus tell us that everything hangs on these and if we do them we will live (cf. Matthew 22:40; Luke 10:28).

A - As a follower of Jesus why would I think that confessing alone would be enough to garner forgiveness when the One I'm following repeatedly says it won’t?  Perhaps it’s because I was taught to separate my standing with God from human's standing with me.  This is a separation Jesus never condones or allows and one the Scriptures do not present us. Today I will not only be a consumer of forgiveness but a distributer as well; a combination keeping me from deception and near Jesus.

P - Lord who is quick to forgive,

Thank you for insisting that I learn this response toward all others and not just try and "get my own" from you.  I'm choosing to forgive any and all … and welcoming the relief of loving others the way I'm being loved by you.  Thank you for the superlatives--the greatest and most important activity of any day, hour, circumstance and/or situation.  Lord, I will love you back and my neighbors as myself.

Glad to be near Jesus,

Steve

Note to Self: Jesus is NOT Dr. Phil from Heaven

S - Matthew 15:16-20 (NAS): "Jesus said, "Are you still lacking in understanding also? “Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.” For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.""

O - Religion (culture) focuses on what is seen (hands washed or not).  The Kingdom focuses on what is unseen (the condition of the heart).  Culture wants a better person and the Kingdom insists on a transformed person.  Religion teaches people self-help while the Kingdom offers people help.  The first is always talking about getting things out (anger, lies, greed, sexual immorality, etc.) reducing the volume and becoming "a little better". The latter is making itself available to come into the complete and sad internal reality transforming it and creating a "new self." Religion wants us to work harder to get such things "out" while the Kingdom wants us to constantly throw open our lives to the person of Jesus and his transforming, irrepressible, powerful, vibrant and eternal life.  Culture puts and keeps the pressure on the person.  Jesus comes and takes the heavy load from the person. One of the countless beauties of the presence and person of Jesus is that he is not "Dr. Phil" from heaven bringing us a new and improved version of self-help. He is the friend of sinners and re-creator of all bringing us help not self-help.

A - In the physical world how does one get darkness out of a room?  I can't get darkness out I need to bring light in.  Culture (secular and religious) is forever telling me/us to get darkness out while God's Kingdom is forever calling me/us to let light in … and light is a person.  Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world.'  Religion wants me to get out anger and the Kingdom wants me to welcome in compassion. The first wants hate out while the second wants love in.  The former tells me to expel anxiety while the latter calls me to let peace in.  Religion always wants more while the Kingdom only wants all.  Today I will throw open my complete life to him who has loved me first, most and refuses to change his mind … unto the transformation only he can accomplish.

P - Lord who wants in,

I want you into it all.  You are light, come into my darkness.  You are peace, come into my anxiety.  You are love, come into my hate.  You are compassion, come into my anger.  I welcome you and your will on earth/in me like it happens in heaven.  I say with the leper, Lord if you're willing YOU can make me clean.  I know you are willing and so I say YES to all you have in mind.  Jesus, I do love you back!

Steve

PS Thanks for not being a Dr. Phil from heaven but the Savior.

The Real Work

S - Matthew 24:46-47 (TLJ): "When the master comes and finds that servant doing the work he gave him, what a great day it will be for that servant. I can tell you without a doubt, the master will choose that servant to take care of everything he owns."

O - While each follower of Jesus will receive some specific assignments to engage in on the earth, these opportunities will never really be "the work".  The work is only one for all who follow; one without respect to functional roles, resources, skills and the like. The work is believing the person of Jesus (John 6:27-29). Other good and even necessary activities cannot and will not replace this work which all of his followers/servants have been given (Matthew 7:21-23).  This work keeps us connected with his person and keeps everything possible (Mark 9:23).  All other actions pale in comparison to this and cannot be a replacement for the work of believing (Luke 18:1-8). What's possible to the one who believes? Everything! What will the master give over to the one who is doing this work? Everything!

A - It will be a great day for all when the master comes and finds us doing the work he gave us, the work of believing. This is my work even though secular and religious culture (Christianity included) wants me to believe something other than believing is really the work.  Jesus never called one person to a cause, goal or mission.  He only calls us to himself.  Follow me is the singular and exclusive call.  In following he identified my work … believing his person; not the concept of Jesus or merely in his capacities, promises and/or plans.  Today, I will do the work my master has assigned me knowing that it keeps me connected to him who is life and it keeps everything possible.

P - Lord of all and Lord of me,

Thank you for not calling me to a task but to yourself.  I am very glad to be following and to be engaging the work of believing unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.  Today is your day and I am yours in it. Lead on. I'll follow and believe.

Love,

Steve

Miracles: not for Proof but for Love

S - Matthew 16:1, 4 (TLJ): "The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus. They wanted to test him. So they asked him to show them a miracle as a sign from God. Jesus answered, … It is the evil and sinful people who want to see a miracle as a sign from God. But no miracle will be done to prove anything to them. The only sign will be the miracle that happened to Jonah. Then Jesus went away from there."

O - While miracles certainly do inspire and affirm belief(s) Jesus says they will not be given to prove anything.  What was true before the miracle will be true not only after it but without it.  The person and identity of Jesus, the greatness, nearness and goodness of God, are not increased, changed or proved by miracles. The truth is and is evident without them. Those seeking a proof (the religiously righteous, socially upright, theologically based) in this encounter are called evil (literally wicked and hurtful) and sinful (literally adulterous) by Jesus; terms the secular and religious culture would not apply to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Miracles are expressions of a love that is already overflowing.  A love that must be proved to another will be a love that can always fall suspect.   The actions of real love are not given as a proof but as an expression and result that which already is. They are not given as a "reward" to the one who is loved but as an unavoidable expression of love. Jesus didn't come to earth as a reward for those who loved God. He came as the expression of God's person and love to the world he so loves.  (cf. John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). 

A - I do need, want and ask for miracles because I am loved.  Because I am loved I can ask anything in Jesus' Name.  Like any dearly loved child I don't always get what I ask for but I am always, deeply, relentlessly loved.  He has loved me/us first, most and refuses to change his mind.  Today, confident in him and his love, I get to follow, stay near and ask for anything because nothing is too difficult, impossible or too wonderful for him.

P - God who is love,

Thank you for loving us because you love us; for making us for yourself and giving yourself to us.  Today I welcome you and your will on earth, you and your love on earth, in me and through me, like they do in heaven.  Thank you for wanting us at our worst and for working everything for good.  Thank you for wanting me to asking for anything according to your awesome brilliance, limitless power and relentless love.  I am asking, believing, following, loving you back unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.

In Jesus' Name,

Steve