Issue 1182 – Radical – June 21, 2023
As I was sitting here this morning, pondering what to write for Gleanings, I was struck by Christians’ radical countercultural view of God.
We believe there is such a thing as absolute truth and claim to be personally acquainted with the source. We would be arrogant in making that claim if it wasn’t true. It seems incredibly unenlightened in a world that claims everyone makes their own truth. Of course, no one actually lives in a world of their own realities, but that is the topic for another Gleanings.
We don’t believe in a distant god who is impersonal and uncaring. Our God didn’t just wind the universe up and leave it alone. He is personal, intimate and involved.
We believe in a God directly involved in our daily lives, who knew us and loved us before we were conceived. The God who cares what happens to us every moment of every day and has given us direct access to the Son.
From the first days of creation, God walked with people in the Garden of Eden and wants us to enjoy His presence. He still wants to be in direct contact with us and has given us prayer as an instrument.
We don’t need deep theological understanding to know this God, although sound theology accompanied by an appropriate vocabulary is helpful. Good theology and terminology are not just things of the academy and ivory towers; they benefit all Christians.
We don’t have to get our act together before coming to the Father. In truth, we can’t have our ducks in a row without His help. He accepts us where we are but loves us too much to leave us there.
We believe God accepts and forgives us through simple faith in what Jesus accomplished on that cross. We don’t believe we can earn our way to salvation or get right with God by pulling up our bootstraps and trying harder.
While we are called to gather together to worship corporately, our God doesn’t just inhabit some building or temple. He is omnipresent; we can communicate with Him and be in His presence everywhere. We can talk with God as if He was our best friend.
Our God isn’t angry with us. Oh, make no mistake, He is furious about all sin but loves us. We believe that He will discipline us but for our good.
The LORD desires His people to know him. He has revealed himself to us in the words of Scripture and the incarnation of Jesus.
He is loving, faithful, just, merciful, forgiving and more. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and always present.
We can’t escape the eyes of God or make excuses that will stand up. People ignore Him at their own peril.
More than merely a prophet or a good moral teacher, Jesus made a claim to godhood. He was dead, buried and rose again. His death and resurrection show Him to be unique.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:1-11
Christianity is the most inclusive group in the world; everyone is welcome. It is also the most exclusive club; you must enter through Christ. It doesn’t become any more radical than that.
In a world of ever-shifting morality and truth, nothing is more radical than the absolute truth, justice and mercy of Jesus.
Hold fast to Him, my friends.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.
Did you know that we have an email version? Same great content but in a different format. Subscribe today
______________________________
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
___________________________________________
#love #peace #hope #Gleanings #theWord #devotional #gospel #death #trinity #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #KevinCorbin #god #life #Jesus #faith #holySpirit #YHWH #bible #christian #Christ #Father #Son #radical #truth #absolute #John10 #John14 #exclusive #inclusive #relationships