Which Gospel?

S - “Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), … I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! … For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. … But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.” Galatians 1:1, 6-8, 11-12, 15-17 NASB

O - Though Paul will speak of the cross several times in this letter he does so only in the context of the resurrection. His preaching, apostleship and gospel is based singularly on the person of Jesus and his resurrection from the dead (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). This is heaven's message - Jesus and him raised from the dead (“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” Romans 10:9 NASB). The context of Kingdom living (the reality which engages all the rest) is the resurrection of Jesus not the crucifixion.

A - Heaven sends one way and earth another. Religion is focused on information and crucifixion. The Kingdom is focused on a person and resurrection. Heaven has one gospel and earth has another. Heaven proclaims the resurrection and then unpacks the cross. Earth proclaims the crucifixion and occasionally mentions resurrection. I am called by Jesus to Jesus and his irrepressible (cannot be controlled or contained), eternal life. The question asked later in this letter remains paramount: “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3 NASB

P - Lord Jesus,

You are the gospel, the way, the truth and forever life. You call us all to yourself and to adoption and God's sons and daughters. I admit and accept you are the good news … the gospel sent from heaven.  I am very glad to know you as a person and not a concept.  I love you back!
Steve

Assigned Influence

S - “But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. …“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10:13, 17-18 ESV

O - "The Area of Influence God assigned". What a great phrase and reality.  God already has it mind to assign us areas of influence which allow us to work with him in his purposes in people and on earth. He's not waiting for us to get it started, he's already working. [“But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working. … So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.” John 5:17, 19-20 ESV] He's not wanting us to 'take the lead' he wants us to follow. “Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.” John 6:5-6 ESV

A - Jesus never called me to a cause, only to himself ("Follow me and I will make you …"). He came to earth sent by the Father to work with him and he is still working to this very day. He doesn't want me to work for him but with him. He doesn’t want me to carve out my territory and make a name for myself "for him." Jesus made himself of no reputation. He wasn’t doing things to prove his worth or earn his way. This is the way he was sent and how he sends all others. [“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7] I'll follow unto a boasting which is only in him and an influence which really is on earth like it is heaven.

P - Lord,

I accept the call to follow you and not take the lead; to work with you and not for you. I accept your assignment of influence which enables the beauty of your will on earth just like it happens in heaven. Thank you for wanting us, loving us and including us in your very self. I give my whole self back to you.

Steve

God's Self Portrait

S - "The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us underserved kindness and truth. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like." John 1:16-18 TLJ

O - Jesus was sent by the Father to clarify both his person and his purpose. The religious leaders of Jesus' day had distorted God's person and misrepresented his purpose. The very ones claiming to follow Moses and the Scriptures were way off on both.  Jesus, who is the Good News, confirms and reveals both the Father's person and purpose. He "has shown us what God is like."

v  “Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.” John 12:44-45 NIV

v  “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” John 12:49-50 NIV

v  “Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19 NIV  

v  “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” John 14:8-11 NIV

A - When anyone sees Jesus they are seeing God the Father.  Whenever anyone hears Jesus they are hearing the Father.  Jesus only says what the Father is saying and only does what the Father is doing.  If anyone's picture (understanding of God's person and purpose) is NOT identical to Jesus they have the wrong picture (understanding of God's person and purpose).  What is my picture of the Father?  Is he the friend of sinners?  Is he one who washes dirty feet?  Jesus is the great and only clarifier. The Father of Jesus and the Father of religious thought is not the same guy! This was true in Jesus' day and remains true today.  I will believe Jesus about his Father.

P - Our Father in heaven,

You're the One who sent Jesus to us because of your great love for all people.  Thank you for the striking clarity his presence, life and words bring to all.  I admit that I had the wrong understanding of your person and purpose and you loved me anyway.  Thank you for giving me/us such a completely accurate picture.  You are more wonderful than I can imagine and Jesus confirms this to all.  Thank you for letting us/me live and pray in him and in his name.

I love you back,

Steve

On Assignment on Planet Earth

S - “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:21-24 NASB

O - Jesus says the Father is not judging anyone. Culture (religious and secular) is always judging everyone. There is only one judge and he has deferred judgment to the very end. Jesus is the judge and he is to be honored (τιμάω - to hold dear, count as precious, to value, revere, esteem) just like the Father. His consistent instruction to his friends and followers is do not judge. His consistent command is to love … God, each other, your neighbors and your enemies. To hear him unto eternal life and freedom from all judgment includes hearing him on judging and loving others.

A - Whatever the situation, Jesus always starts at unconditional love, leads with mercy and then addresses the facts (all of them). Culture (religious and secular) taught me to start with the facts, which inspire conditional love at best and not much mercy on the way to judging (called "tough love" ... long on tough and very short on love). Since I'm following Jesus and hearing him I'm admitting more than the error of my cultural training … I'm admitting my error and the rush to judgment it created in me and through me. Jesus isn't asking or wanting me (or anyone) to be his moral agent on planet earth (something I can't even do for myself - Romans 3:23) but rather the agent of his love. I accept the assignment and the only place to start every day and every situation. After all, it's the place he always starts with me.

P - Judge of all and judge of me,

I do respond to you and the honor you are due … the same as our Father in heaven. Thank you deferring all judgment so that all can come near and experience unconditional love and the mercy which sets and keeps us free. I accept your assignment as an agent of your unconditional love. I admit that I can never fully express this love until conditions arise. When they do, I will rely on you, your irrepressible life and love to empower me as you intend. Thank you for letting us live and pray in your name.

On assignment,

Steve