Jesus, and his relationship with us is not a one dimensional relationship, it is not one sided, simple or flat. But it is an interwoven multi layered beautiful fabric, designed by God to be experienced at level after level. To be felt, experienced, and lived.
Paul revealed part of this mystery in this verse. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; – Phi 3:10
And again in Eph 1:18-20
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
And here 1 Tim 3:16,
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
When I was a child I played with linking blocks. Today our children use legos. Notice how they connect, link together. Each one fits, are linked together. We are the building blocks of God, living stones, built up to form a living temple. Not made with man’s hands, but by the design, wisdom of God. With Jesus being the chief cornerstone.
Eph 2: 19-22.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Our lives are the same way. I have a calendar, schedule, contacts. My calendar, affects my schedule, and my contacts are interwoven into my schedule and calendar. I cannot remove all of my contacts, that would greatly affect my schedule and calendar. I cannot remove all of the list of things I must do, from my schedule without affecting my calendar and contacts. They are interwoven, related, in relationship with each other.
Our testimony, which is the outward proclamation of our lives, is not with words, but with experiences, problems, victories, relationships, and failures. It is an interwoven expression, proclamation of our lives. Our testimony without the life of Jesus, living through us, are poor pitiful stories. We may over hype them with big productions, on the big screen. But just like God allows the rain to fall on the just and unjust. His love is expressed to the sinner and saint. And although we may live a life outside of God’s obedience, it is never outside of His grace and love. God does not orchestrate every detail of our lives, but He guides us, toward His Glory. Any beauty in a life outside of God’s obedience, is by God’s mercy and grace. How much more a life yielded to God’s hands.
We can choose to rebel, resist or yield to His loving hand. We have personal responsibly to choose to love God, love ourselves, love others and to love our sin. Each has consequences.
The first commandment, is so full, so broken so often, but if lived, would free us from so many other problems in our lives. Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
If we loved God with all, it would change our thought life, which would change our words and actions. If we gave God all of our strength; abilities, energy, talent, stamina, diligence, endurance, passion. It would change everything, and every relationship we would experience. Because God is Love, we would correctly Love ourselves, our neighbors, friends, family and enemies. We would also, not love our sin.
Our sin, is a direct affront, insult to our infinitely Holy God. And if we love more, we would sin less. Jesus was sinless. He is our living example of love for God, love of God, love for mankind, love for the unloved. Yet without sin. This is why the scripture boldly proclaims, And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
And again, Ep 3:17-19
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
It is God’s love in us, that weaves us together, that is the mortar, that holds the temple stones in place. It forms the tapestry, interwoven with many threads; the details of our lives, mixed with the grace and power of God. Jesus who is ever present, is active in the lives of those who love him. It is God’s love that he expressed, when God the son was sent here for us.
For God SO LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. – John 3:16
Have you given your life, your love, your strength to God? Love Him first, start now.
Amen.
Written by Minister Franklin Mayfield
Director, trueGOD Television Network
4-5-2016
