What do you do with the truth?

On the journey towards life, many people will discover that the good news about salvation in Jesus is true. This does not mean that they are prepared to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Because when you know the truth you will very likely start to ‘count the cost’.

I know this from my own experience. As far back as I can remember, I have believed in God, in Jesus and in what was written in the Bible, but I postponed the ‘surrender’ until the moment I could not resist the calling any longer. I was 14 and afraid of the cost of discipleship. However, I soon discovered that the gain by far exceeded the cost. Since then, I have observed others go through the same process.

The climatic crisis in the world today demands an analogue kind of decision. There seems to be scientific consensus that the crisis is a result of our unsustainable exploitation of the world’s resources. Further, I observe that an increasing number of people agree to this truth; however, the cost of reducing the benefits of the exploitation to save the planet, makes us postponing the dramatic decisions that need to be made.

So is there a cost of discipleship, and if so what is it?
Jesus is very clear that the call is to follow him. He calls us to himself, and he is very explicit:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24

I think this was the verse that kept me from surrendering; However, it took some time from the day of surrendering until I discovered what taking up my cross meant. The day I saw what it really means to die with Christ, and to raise with him to be a new creature in Him, became a moment of great importance. When I saw this, it made a fundamental difference for my understanding of what this is all about. With this in mind there is ‘no turning back’ – nor has it ever been a desire. 

Yes, I can be tired, disheartened and feel that I need new strength, but I know that this can only be found in Him – and nowhere else.

The question remains: What do you do with the truth?

The answer to this question is vital for your spiritual journey both before and after Jesus has become a part of your life, and He a part of yours.

‘Manna’ for today:

I will follow the truth to the life! (1)

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(1) John 14:6

The attributes of life

If my mission is to bring Christ’s life to people, it is important that I know the attributes of his life. If I know what these are, this should also be the attributes of my life. Because, as he is, we are in this world (1).

Last week I focused on some of these attributes in one of Jesus’ seven “I am” statements in John’s gospel, and I included the “I am” as one of the attributes. “To be” is a vital part of our identity as human “beings” – and it is equally important when I speak about my identity in Jesus Christ. First of all, “I am” in him. It should not start anywhere else. The challenge is to keep this in mind all the time. Before Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, we read that:

Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him…
Matthew 10:1a

It is gives a clear signal that our calling is first and foremost ‘to Him’. Very often the ‘sending out’ – the commissioning, is seen and defined as ‘the’ calling; however, the sending out is a consequence of that calling, and the fact that through responding to it, we have become his body. It is something the love we experience in Christ ‘compels us’ to do (2).

The core of the call is always ‘to’ Christ and to be found ‘in’ Him. If we forget this, many of us will still go out and serve. The consequence of this can easily be a confusion of identity and we start seeking confirmation in the results rather than relaxing in the truth that we are in the world as He is in the world. And if I don’t know who I am and start to question my own identity in Christ, how can I then lead people to the great “I am”?

The remedy is simple:

Every day I come to him who calls me to himself, the one in whom “I live, move and have my being” (3).

‘Manna’ for today:

I am called to Him

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(1) 1 John 4:17b
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:14
(3) Acts 17:28

* Borrowed from: https://www.unsealed.org/2018/06/the-called-out-ones.html

What comes before life?

I am back with my weekly reflections and the last greeting was “Live the mission”. Our mission is to bring the life of Christ to people – linked to my focus for the year.

Many books have been written about the theme: ‘putting first things first’. Whether the context is leadership, time-management, values or any other subject, the bottom-line always seems to be the same: How can I get the most out of life?

Perhaps this is very close to our mission as well. I think it is possible to get the most out of life, by letting life get the most out of me – however with some modifications. It is easy to think that life is synonymous with everything around us wanting our attention. If I fall into the trap of trying to respond to all expectations and matters wanting my attention, I end up being lived by others, instead of living my own life. This is not what I mean by letting life get the most out of me.

I think that it would be possible to get scientific support for stating that without life there is nothing. But doesn’t that make the question “What comes before life?” invalid?

Not at all. There is something greater than life. Jesus stated:

“I am the way, the truth and the life”John 14:6

Here are three things mentioned before life.

1. I am = God’s name – the one who creates and gives life (1)
2. The way = the direction back to this life in its original state (2)
3. The truth = the core of this life and how it should be lived. (3)

If we are going to live the mission, these three things need to be in place before life starts. Only then I will get the most out of life, and the life will get the most out of me. That is an intriguing thought.

‘Manna’ for today:

For life’s sake: First things first!

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(1) God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14
(2) The first Christians were named ‘Followers of the Way’ e.g. Acts 22:4
(3) “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32