Tag Archives: invitation

Be one

 

It is not an accident that Jesus prays for us to be one, because that oneness, that community, is God’s signature. It is not about being a great apologetic, or great at changing culture and it definitely is not about really cool worship services. Trinitarian fellowship is the foundation of the existence of that which is real. That is why there is so much cost related to our invitation. That is where we rest.

 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. – John 17:23  ESV

It is a serious prayer, a solemn admonition and supplication that revealed just how important this union would be. He compared the union to the most perfect union of all – between the Father and Himself. That acceptance into this union would change the world. Our spiritual warfare on earth looks great, but in accepting the invitation to join the union between the Father and Jesus, all we need to do is rest in them – showing the world that the Father loves us as much as He loves His Son.

We have not rested in that invitation very well have we? I know I have seen our expression – the world has not declared that God had sent Jesus. In fact, most of what we do is show the world exactly who God is not. Love is rarely seen.

I do not beat myself up too much. I mean Pentecost is really the only time we see the Church revealing to the world that indeed God sent Jesus and that He loved the world and loved His Son. After that we mess up. We show a difference to one nationality of widows over another and we show that Gentiles needed to become Jews in order for them to be Christians. Messy stuff for sure.

If I am going to be praying a new prayer today – it will be – Lord Jesus, fill me with You, may the Holy Spirit allow me to accept the invitation to be with You and the Father. It is the only way the world will see You in me. It is the only way they will believe the Father has sent Jesus and that He loves the world so much because He gave them Jesus. The gift was a painful one for the Father and Jesus were separated for the very first time. May I know that the Father loves me as much as He loves Jesus for in doing so, I am one with them.

 

 

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To hear and see

 

Do You Hear What I Hear?

 

Our ability to hear and see is our gateway to wisdom.

The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
the Lord has made them both. – Proverbs 20:12  ESV

So when I hear the invitation from Jesus to come to Him, what does that mean to me?

 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28  ESV

It is a strong appeal. It leaves no doubt to the sincerity of the call to turn from whatever I am presently leaning on to depending on Him.

In many ways, it is still a call to believe in Him, follow Him, and be a committed disciple – to completely turn my life over to Him.

It is a call to an intimacy of fellowship. My walk with God is all about my personal relationship with Him.

So I hear the call, what do I see?

 

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