Love is Job #1

Scripture is filled with stories of miracles, healings, and supernatural power of all sorts. Yet, as amazing, dynamic, and powerful as these stories are, it is not Scriptures, and, therefore, God’s — Father, Son, and Spirit — first, and foremost, focus and priority.

 

Love is God’s foremost focus, and priority. Scripture call love the greatest. It says love should be practiced above all, and first of all. Supernatural power is temporary; love is eternal. Scripture says that God has power. That he does miracles. But it says that God is love. Scripture says that prophecy, and miracles, are worthless, and meaningless, unless they are expressed through, and undergirded by, love.

 

Paul prays for one church’s love. He has already praised God, and them, for their love. No, he prays for its increase … toward one another, and all people.

 

Love require a change in one’s heart. It becomes stronger. Its motives, priorities, and responses, become more godly, holy, and blameless.

 

If we are taking on God’s nature more as we grow, we must take on love.

Trust God's Way

There is a passage of Scripture that I will paraphrase:

- trust God

- don't rely on what you know

- obey him always

- knowing where to go, and what to do, will be easy

Many describe this passage as their favorite. They try to follow it, and use it, as their motto for living. And I am not saying they don't. I am commenting on the fact that most, maybe all followers of Jesus trust God, when times are good. But when times are difficult, or confusing, they tend to rely on what they know.

The urge to follow "human wisdom" gets especially strong when God instructs us to do something crazy. Like love your enemies, forgive those who hurt you, or pray blessing for those who persecute you.

In a world, that is becoming increasingly against God, Jesus, the Spirit, the gospel, and God's family, it is becoming increasingly more important for God's family to follow God more closely. Christian leaders have, in the past, made calls for greater political activism. I am not suggesting we shouldn't vote, or hold million man marches. But maybe those who trust God should be organizing prayer meetings, that: invite God's Spirit into our political processes, walk in the lives of our leaders, even our enemies), and pray for love to those inclined to gun violence.

Maybe God's family needs to seek ways to love the homeless, those seeking abortions, and minorities of all sorts.

And maybe instead of filtering money through Christian para-church organizations, as good as they may be, we need to be like Jesus and hug lepers, mad men, and prostitutes. In other words, maybe each one of us needs to get our hands dirty in some way.

Jesus, who was without sin, who trusted God the most, whose prayers reached God the most, who loved best, was slandered, reviled, and accused. Can we expect less?

Paul considered floggings, stoning, prison, and shipwrecks as "momentary light affliction." Maybe we need an attitude adjustment.

Prayer: Important for the Mission

In many of his letters, Paul urges God's family to pursue prayer. To be persistent, tenacious, and steadfast.

Prayer expresses our dependence on God. It is a cry for help, because in the roots of where the greatest changes are needed -- the hearts of men -- people are unable to act, or speak, and have any real effect. It is Father who has power over hearts. And we need to invite him into situations. He could kick down any door he wished, but he waits for an invitation. Our prayers become open doors. We give room for him to act.

Jesus told us to pray for workers in the harvest. Paul asked for prayer for opportunities to clearly proclaim the gospel. We are God's partners in his mission. And he does want our participation in gospel proclamation. But, as important as our open mouths, it is equally important to focus our hearts for change, softening, and openness, in other's hearts. It is important to pray for God's preparation for people to receive, and God's children to recognize, and act, on opportunities.

God's Kingdom is expanding, and taking ground. We need the Billy Graham's, Luis Palau's, and Reinhard Bonnke's of the world. But we also need millions, who like Jesus, take time to speak to the woman at the well.

And we need millions, who will daily open  door to allow God's Spirit to move freely, powerfully, in people's hearts. We need them to invite God's presence into their families, the work places, their cities, and the masses of China, and India.

Embracing God's Will ... and Change

Many of Paul's letters begin with thanksgivings, and praise, for God's work in people's lives, and their growth. Giving allegiance to Jesus always involves change. There is a change in people's view of Jesus. There is a change in people's view of life, and its expectations, conduct, and end results.

The biggest factor in transformation, of someone following Jesus, is the literal presence of God in their lives. The Holy Spirit makes his home in the inner man of all God's children. He is a constant guide, resource, teacher, and comforter.

Because God has given each person a different place in his Kingdom, he guides each one differently. But, as we are all his children, there are ways he guides us the same, to achieve the identical outcome. He wants all of his children:

• to walk in greater relationship with him ... including eternity with him becoming more real, more true.
• to believe, and trust, what he says more.
• to love him, his family, and those not in his family, more.

Part of following Jesus means embracing this change. It can be disrupting, difficult, and causing fear and anxiety. We don't know where it's going.

God's family generally acknowledges that God-led change is good. But because of the clamor, and din, of a multitude of voices, it is sometimes hard to hear that still, small voice of love, and truth. Cultivating the habit of listening prayer becomes a vital, necessary tool.

Out of a multitude of voices, there are some who want to stop God's family from acting as God's family. There are some in God's family, who want to maintain historic practices, so they don't want to change. There are some, who want to be obedient, but only hear half of what God says, so they only obey half.

This is the challenge of following Christ. To hear and obey, all God says. To move into the future, remain relevant, and stay true to God's eternal word.

And this was true of many churches in the first century. They grabbed hold of the gospel, a love relationship with Father, and a lifestyle that drew others to desire a relationship with Father, but also spoke to the moral rights and wrongs of their time, without compromising on living out faith, hope, and love.

Love Makes Changes

When a baby is born, it undergoes a dramatic shift in circumstances. It was cocooned in a deluxe, temperature controlled environment, with twenty-four hour room service. Then, they get thrust out into the world. It’s cold. It’s windy. And getting food suddenly becomes a really big deal.

Eventually, the baby gets on a schedule. Food, sleep, and personal interaction get organized. Unfortunately, the baby’s schedule, and the parent’s schedule, are often out of sync.

A friend of mine remarked after his first children were born (they had twins) that he never realized how selfish he was, until he had kids. Caring for someone, who is totally dependent, and not flexible as to times and places, could make parents, who are used to more freedom, feel trapped. It could even lead to resentment. In today’s world, people do not seem to tolerate limits put on them. Especially from the outside.

But God so loved the world, that he limited himself by becoming human. He met our weakness, our failure, and our brokenness, and totally changed his behavior. He chose the extreme limits: capture, torture, and death.

Love chooses to modify its behavior to see someone else’s good occur. When offended, love chooses patience. When someone is in need, it surrenders time, energy, and resources. When someone succeeds, love rejoices. Love sees equals, supports weakness, expects success, and growth, and keeps giving.

Jesus calls us to live in the way of love. Jesus’s message and mission, accepting, and trusting, his way, and living in love can only flip the world on its head.

Intercession Everyone's Job

We are all designed by God. We are all given places in his mission to invite the world into his family. As we recently posted, there are a multitude of functions, and God has equipped someone to complete that function.

Some are given to act as an interface between God’s family, and the world. Some are given to maintain, and improve, the condition of God’s family. Some in physical areas. Some in relational areas. Some in character. All of these areas involve a spiritual component. That’s because all of life is connected to the Father. Especially within God’s family.

God’s family have accepted Father’s offer to unite in relationship., becoming his children. Sonship is not one simple thing. It is commitment to Father. It is a promise to live by his word. It is an invitation, and permission, for him to act in our lives. (And when he acts, it is always for our best.)

And some function to gain greater involvement of Father in the world, and in the lives of his family. (I called this “artillery spotting” in an earlier post.) It is easy for us to understand intercession in terms of evangelism. We want God to break lies, highlight truth, and generate clarification in the hearts of people, who have not yet chosen relationship with Father. (And I am not writing to minimize this type of prayer. Indeed, I would encourage more. Let us rain down spiritual artillery on Africa, Asia, the Middle East, India, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and everywhere in between. Let all these places be pummeled with God’s greatness, goodness, kindness, and love. Let one billion, two billion, people chose to unite with Father in a single day.)

But let us also remember that God’s Spirit, and God’s love, needs to be where, and doing whatever, God’s family is dong. He needs to be with Reinhard Bonnke preaching to a million people in Nigeria. He needs to be with millions of people, giving money, and writing letters, to children, partnering with Compassion, and other organizations like it. He needs to be in millions of worship meetings around the world. He needs to be with every single person giving instruction, encouragement, counseling, mercy, or forgiveness. He needs to be with every person mowing the lawn, repairing, or maintaining, equipment in places, or on property, used by God’s family. And every single on of these situations ought to have someone spotting God’s artillery.

No one knows the tipping point, that releases the incense of heaven to cover the earth.

World Impact

Through the mail, TV, the internet, there are commercials about all types of works/ministries, doing all types of things … good things. Things we can work for, or give money to.

I am aware of a charity in East Africa formed to combat a parasite, that is prevalent there. Because many people go barefoot there, the parasite embeds itself in the soles of people’s feet. The parasite grows, lays eggs, and effected people have difficulty walking. So, they can’t work, or go to school.

The charity has clinics to remove the parasite, hygiene classes about prevention, and they give away shoes. People in the US cut the pattern for the uppers out of old blue jeans. The soles are made from old tires. The “raw materials,” and a little money, are sent to Africa, where the shoes are assembled. The money is used to pay people to assemble the shoes. Shoes, and a job.

I is amazing how a pair of shoes can transform a person’s life.

This is an example of one of a multitude of good things, people can do to positively effect the world. But did you ever feel like there was too much? There are a lot of things – honorable, beneficial, God-honorable, people loving, Every one of them insistent of your support. And there are some that you want to support, but can’t afford, are too far away, or without the necessary skills to help.

We do need to keep several things in mind. God does indeed have a mission in the world. But the mission is given to his family, who is also his army. And like a modern army, there are many roles: pilot (fight, bomber, rescue), mechanic (plane, truck, tank), infantry, cooks, doctors, and generals. And everyone needs to do their job to make the mission successful.

In God’s army, there is one main general, who is over the entire operation. And he gives each one their job. Sometimes, understanding one’s orders can be confusing. But each one does have a place. And it may not always seem so, but each place is vital, and important. Someone not doing their job leaves a gap in the line. The mission is hindered. And someone is not living as designed, and there is a loss of joy, and love, in the world. Most jobs are part of the Kingdom, but they may not be a formal part of the church.

And we need to remember that each, and every one, has direct access to the Commander in Chief, all day, every day. There is no time, day or night, that he is not available, able, and willing, to act on our behalf. Indeed, the most powerful weapon in this army’s arsenal is the General’s presence, act active involvement, in any particular phase of the battle. So, if someone has a heart for one particular 5 year old in Uganda, with foot parasites, he can call on the Commander. And the Commander can direct his attention, energy, and involvement, half-way around the world to that 5 year old. And the world’s love meter pegs to the maximum reading.

There ae some of God’s army, whose main job is “artillery spotting.” The call God’s attention, and involvement, to situations around the world. All of God’s family are given, in part, the job of artillery spotter. They may have another job, but his family needs to give much more attention to this part of their job.

Not only is it with prayer that we invite god into our lives, and into the situations we face, but some believe that God limits himself to act only if we pray. In other word, the all-powerful One, the One that nothing, and no one, can stop, puts limits on himself. He does nothing, unless it is in partnership with his people, who are praying.

There is a picture, in the last book of the Bible, of an altar in heaven. On the altar is a container of incense. Scripture says the incense is the prayers of the saints. God waits until the container is full, then he pours out the incense of heaven over the world. The aroma of heaven, the presence of God, fills the world, when his army prays.

I don’t know if it is proven that God never acts on his own initiative. But for his family to impact the world, two things need to happen. Each of God’s children need to fill their place. And each of god’s children need to invite God to be present, attentive, and active in every situation, as it presents itself.

Freedom. Maturity. Love.

Jesus died to complete all of God’s laws for us. We could not complete them, so he did it for us. So, we really do not need to be concerned about keeping the laws any longer.

But, again, that doesn’t mean Father is not concerned with how we live, and what we do. In Father’s original design, mankind was designed to be like Jesus. To love – because love fulfills the law – naturally, and instinctively.

Some recognize this, and live with a tremendous freedom. They live according to the Great Command – love God, and love people – and not sweat the rules churches set up.

There is the usual, unspoken, but expected church rule: attend the meetings. Scripture does say that it is good for God’s family to gather. People are designed to function as family, as community. There is benefit, and opportunity, to serve, to encourage, and to love. Those who are wiser, and more mature, can build into others. People were designed to love. Love needs givers, and receivers.

There are churches where one’s commitment, maturity, and life effectiveness are judged by the attendance chart. There are people, who judge their own worth to God by the attendance chart. Plus a host of other organizational rules.

I do not condemn organizations for having rules. Large numbers of people, sharing the same resources, and space, need something to direct traffic, maintain open lines of communication, and ensure that needs don’t get lost in the shuffle. But if God does keep a gradebook, I doubt any of these sorts of rules are recorded in it.

But there are people, who have given their allegiance to Jesus, genuinely, and truly, and believe that God expects them to keep these rules. And there are people in the same local family, who think that’s crazy. And thus, we have the potential for disunity, discord, and dis-harmony. What’s a body to do?

The mature, and the strong, must realize that love is on the top of God’s list. And unity is an important component of love in God’s family. So, it is up to them to love, and serve, those given to the minutiae of rules. And, by this love, all may grow in relationship to God and others, may grow in love, and may grow in understanding.

Again, organizations with lots of people may need rules to operate efficiently, and effectively. But keeping organizational rules, or cultural expectations, do not mean worth, or maturity, in God’s economy. Human worth is derived from God’s love of each person – demonstrated with the cross. Human maturity is derived from each person’s love of other people.

Love and Truth

It has been posted here, more than once, that God designed the universe. He designed all of its laws: physical, and chemical. And he designed people, and all the laws that affect them: biological, psychological, social, and spiritual.

Of all these laws, the strongest, and most important, is the law of love. There is too much Scripture indicating its importance, and its place as God’s family defining feature.

But there are other laws, that should be kept. All of these laws are also part of the definition of what people, and life, should be like. They are part of God’s design, and ideal life.

When the first people rebelled against God’s reign, there was only one law. People kept all of God’s law naturally, instinctively. Breaking the one law really wasn’t about the apple. (Or whatever fruit it was.) It was about trusting God, what he said, and his intentions toward us. It broke the relationship between God, and people.

Those, not in God’s family, often only see obedience to rules, that they probably don’t agree with, maybe not even understand, and no expression of love. (Love may have a different definition too. To Father, love is giving, and wanting the best for others. In the world, love may also be wanting the best, but it is the individual, who defines what is best. And everyone should accept, and tolerate that.)

Some in God’s family are also fixed on God’s laws. It can be a form of modern pharisaic philosophy, where Father’s approval comes from checking off boxes on a list. Jesus died, because no one can ever check off enough boxes.

So, what is the bottom line? Paul prays that God’s family might express more love — with greater time, energy, and resources — but expressed with greater insight, and understanding. Having a greater realization that God’s laws reflect God’s character, love is filtered through God’s word. But it should be recognized by the world as love, as God’s love. God expressed his love to draw the world into relationship — a loving, trusting relationship. Love, expressed through God’s word, should also draw people into relationship. Which also means relationship with God’s family. Expressing love, but living more in God’s image. Jesus gave love to the outcasts of society, but did not compromise God’s law. And he drew people to God. He motivated people to give love, trust, and allegiance to the Father, and to uniting with his family.

Sufficiency

The core of Christianity is: God dies to demonstrate his love for rebels, and sinners, and prepare a way for the selfish, the hateful, and the arrogant to become a part of his family.

God’s purposes were not just to provide a “get out of jail free” card. God has invited each person to share life with him. He has invited each person into restoration, living life as designed, and partnership, representing him with proclamation, and demonstration, of his message.

God’s mission is the increase, and restoration, of his family, and his kingdom. And Jesus demonstrated the means to accomplishing his mission:

• Proclaim truth.
• Practicing love.
• Inviting God to act in every circumstance.
• Giving thanks for all of God’s gifts.
• A life of obedience. 

What would be an impossible task, if it were not for God’s active involvement. But we also need to remember God’s invitation. If he did not think we were sufficient for the work, he would have chosen a different way. Yes, he works to complete us, but we are enough, just as we are.

The fact that he died for us, and told us to go, shows that we are enough. The fact that he chose twelve ordinary men to start his revolution, shows that we are enough.

Hope

Paul reminds us of a passage from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah proclaims that God will reign over  the gentiles, and they will put their hope in God. Scripture says that there are only three things that will last forever: faith, hope, and love. Of these, the least talked about is hope. Most people regard hope as wishful thinking.

Love is taking small bits of ourselves, our time, our energy, and resources, and giving them away. Faith is holding Father’s words, and treating them as true truth. And hope, in the Scriptures, is more than wishful thinking. Hope is holding Father’s words about the future, and treating them as true truth.

Human beings live in the present, but they yearn for the future. They seems to live better, if there is something positive to work towards.

Scripture says that God created people with eternity in their hearts. People were designed with this space in their cores, and a motivation to fill that space. It is a soul hunger for meaning, significance, fulfillment, and rest. It is a signal that something is missing.

There could be a number of things missing. In some parts of the world, it is rest provided by security, safety, and enough to eat. For others, it is coming to that unique place that only they can fill. Ultimately, it is relationship with Father. The hole in our hearts cannot really be filled, unless we find a way back to the Father.

So, Paul prays: as we choose allegiance, because we trust Father, and Jesus, becoming a son, part of his family, accepted, forgiven, redeemed, then joy, and peace, will fill the emptiness. The Holy spirit makes his home in our core, teaching, encouraging, and connecting us to the Father’s love, and grace, and enabling us to move into the future with confidence.

Paul's Prayer (5b)

Again, Paul is reviewing his life, and his violent stance against Christ, God’s family, and the revelation of God’s grace. He, mistakenly, believed that God approved of his Pharisaic system. And he remembers God’s acceptance of him, even after his opposition. Even putting him into fruitful work, proclaiming God’s message, and demonstrating his character. And he stands amazed, and thankful.

We have looked some at thankfulness, and the effect it has in someone’s life. We all have a story of brokenness., and rebellion.

Some, like Paul, believe their lives work for God. He believed he was righteous according to the Law. But the Law does not give righteousness. So, when Christ broke through, his eyes were opened to what God wanted, and what Jesus did.

Some are like my friend, who knew right from wrong, but lived a lifestyle of breaking all the rules. And he didn’t care. But when Christ broke through, he eyes were opened to what God wanted, and what Jesus did.

Or like me, who chose to follow Jesus at a young age. I had no understanding of sin, or my own condemnation. I did not see myself as a sinner. But I did know that the Triune God was the Creator, and Lord, of the universe. I did know that all people should enter his Kingdom, and his reign. And entering was volitional. So I chose. And God opened my eyes to what he wanted, and what Jesus did.

I learned about my sin, and my brokenness, afterward. And the layers of my sin continue to be uncovered. And the reasons for gratitude continue to be uncovered.

God, ultimately, wants to transform our cores of being, our hearts. And thanksgiving is a large part of that transformation. We align ourselves, and move toward, those things that we are grateful.

Religion vs. Relationship

One of the things that someone will hear Christians say is that Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship.

What does that mean?

What people usually mean is:

• Religion is a system of rules that people need to follow, in order to be OK with God.
• Christianity frees people from following those rules, because Jesus died for us. In effect, Jesus has fulfilled the rules for us.

Does this mean God is no longer concerned about our behavior? We don’t need to go to church? Pay tithes? Read the Bible?

I have written fairly frequently about my conception of God designing his creation, so people naturally live lovingly, joyfully, and peacefully. And when mankind chose independence from God, the world broke. Now, we need to choose to move back into dependence on God, into relationship, and living out God’s design. So, in a very real way, we need to re-learn how to live.

The religion\relationship question flows along two paths. On one path, we observe from the passage of Scripture, that says, since God’s Spirit makes his home in your heart, there are certain fruits, or results, that grow out of a person’s life. If these fruits are the results of God’s Spirit, then they are characteristics of God. And one of those fruits is discipline. So, God is not against making choices that produce things consistently, to build good habits, and life patterns.

It is good to meet with others in God’s family for mutual encouragement. It is good to be regularly renewed, and reminded, by God’s values, intentions, and priorities. It is good to give. Love is giving. It is good to release things that can controls, other than God’s Spirit.

The other path happens when we see that discipline is good, so everybody needs to be disciplined … in the same way. Many have written, and taught, about disciples that helped them. And there is a natural tendency to think, it works for me, it should work for everybody else. Well, it probably would work for lots of people, but probably not everybody. One size does not fit all.

So, we need to choose our disciplines wisely. Including when to abandon one for another. Including an alert, and receptive, heart. Including a practice of listening to God.

Scripture show God as a communicator. And Scripture shows God as immutable. Meaning he does not change. Meaning, if he was a communicator, he still is a communicator. So, we need to listen.

Scripture uses the analogy of family to give a picture of what the relationships with God, and other believers, should be like. Not that we don’t know dysfunctional families, that no one should belong to. Not that we don’t know dysfunctional churches, that no one should belong to.

We need to re-create our picture of what this relationship looks like. Father intends that this relationship should look like the ideal parent-child relationship. There are formal occasions: weddings, Christmas dinner. There are informal occasions: playing catch, getting ice cream, helping with homework.

Maybe the difference between religion, and relationship, is the realization that Father gives, moment by moment, attention, involvement, and communication. And we need to learn to be moment by moment with him.

Paul's Prayer (5a)

Paul begins by reviewing who he was before giving his allegiance to Jesus. He opposed the followers of Jesus, and tried to stop them by persecution, arrest, and harassment. He marvels at God’s grace, and patience. And he winds up praying — giving thanks for God’s nature. God’s nature motivates, and activates, God giving attention to, and involvement in, the world.

We may not have opposed God’s word, and God’s people., like Paul did., but God has revealed himself to each one of us, and has involved himself in our lives, acting for us every day.

And, since God is active in us, with us, and through us, every day, combatting the world, the flesh, and the devil, by demonstrating, and proclaiming, his nature, his message, and his mission, then every day, there is something to be grateful for.

And giving thanks is one way of aligning our hearts with God. We are agreeing with God in his battle against the misery the enemy wishes to create. We agree with faith, hope, and love.

Giving thanks sees, and acknowledges, God’s active involvement in life, and events, big or small.

Paul's Prayer (4)

Paul prays for genuine transformation, and a perfect life-style. Not that we would ever reach perfection. But it is God’s heart for his image, and nature, to be indelibly stamped on his children.

We have described how God created his children to follow his design. Life works best when we keep to his pattern. Paul is recognizing that greater peace, harmony, unity, and connection with God is possible, if we walk according to God’s design. God’s love, and grace, flow more freely to our hearts, if we do not block him by our acts, words, thoughts, and attitudes.

Resumption of the flow comes from turning away from the wrong. Repentance is a turning away from whatever is contrary to, or denies God, and turning back to connection, fellowship, and obedience.

Genuine transformation means that the connection with God will, at least, be broken less. And love, and joy, will increase. God’s kingdom, and glory, will increase.

Out of the Flood Came the Rainbow

Every once in a while, a memory floats up out of the past, and I get ambushed by a failure. Sometimes, it is something that happened 30 years ago, and I didn’t realize that anything was wrong until 10 years ago. Or last year. Or last week.

The usual result of such a memory is a wave of depression, emptiness, and lack. Because of the consequences of my actions, or inactions, I view myself as a failure, and not having much worth.

I don’t know if you have ever noticed, but a person, who sees himself negatively, begins a wave of negative momentum. Any effort focused through a lens of “I’m a failure. I can’t do it.” will not succeed. Any “project” that is worth anything has set backs. Negative focus saps a person’s resiliency, which is needed to overcome those setbacks.

Some time ago, I posted about a shift that happens in a person’s spirit when he gives thanks.

Thankfulness is an agreement that something is good. Thankfulness to God is an agreement that something God did, is good. The word in the original language has roots in both “grace” and “joy.” Being thankful receives grace, which activates joy.

Recently, I experienced one of those memories from the murky depths. Negativity began to cloud my vision. Self-recriminations. Blame games. Just quit!

I took a walk, and began to look for something — anything — to be thankful for.

I began to think about the brokenness of the world, and how I was a part of that brokenness. It’s a wonder anything goes right, that there is any light at all. And it seems to be getting darker. The only reason I have any hope at all is because Jesus loves me, and died for me.

And then, I realized — Jesus knew at the foundation of the world, that I was broken, and he went to the cross for me. He knew I wasn’t going to be perfect. He knew I was going to fail again, and again. And he went to the cross.

Father created the world to be whole. People chose brokenness. So, Father adjusted the plan. He invited broken failures to be his children. He knew they were broken. He knew they were never going to be whole — until glorified in heaven. But he chose them anyway. And he hinges the whole plan on his broken children.

Followers of Jesus often feel they need to through a period of restoration before they can properly represent Jesus. But that’s not the case. Father made the broken his agents, his ambassadors, his priests, and his family. We don’t become these things after a period of purification, and training. We are these things when we give allegiance to Jesus.

We will continue to grow, and become more whole. And we will represent him better. But Father knew you, weakness, warts, and all. And invited you into his family, made you his agent, his priest, and his ambassador now.

He knew the failure you were then. He knows the failure you are now. He knows the failure you will be. And he chooses you, To proclaim him. To show him. To invite him into you life, and the situations around you. To love people for him.

Thank you Father, that you knew I was broken, that I was going to continue to fail, and you chose to die for me reguardless.

Paul's Prayer (3)

And Paul prays for anther part of God’s family. Another man has motivated a group of people to give their allegiance to Jesus, and the news has reached Paul about the birth of this new part of God’s family.

So, Paul prays that they might have complete knowledge of God’s will, in wisdom and understanding. Whole books have been written about knowing God’s will, with processes of discernment and verification.

Christianity is a relationship with the Living God, Creator, and Father of all. And it is important to know the right path, how to walk in it, and how to be able to cooperate fully — physically, mentally, and spiritually — with God’s will. But God’s will is not a long list of check boxes. “Check box” living, and thinking, is not relationship; it is religion.

If we know, and understand, God’s will, we can make decisions that honor, and please, God. We will produce good fruit. We will grow in knowing him. We will create patterns in our lives, that agree with his design.

But the heart of his design is love. Where is the check box for responding in patience, when someone cuts you off on the Interstate? Where is the check box for expecting, and wanting, God to work positively, to work miracles, for those who hate him.

The core of Christianity is: God dying for rebels, traitors, rapists, and murderers — as well as, those of us, who are just self-centered, and error-prone — because he loved each one of them, and that they might become family. His family.

Check boxes might be necessary to get things rolling. God is for discipline. But a changed nature is better. Love flowing from people, as naturally, as easily, and as habitually, as breathing.

Paul's Prayer (2)

Paul was reviewing God’s revelation of his plan to a group of God’s children. Reminded them, that God intends to reveal himself to the world, first, through his chosen nation, Israel, and, second, through the church, that is, people who have chosen to stand with God, and his family.

And it motivates Paul to pray for these people.

He prays that God would apply his unlimited resources, and God’s “dynamite” would plant itself in the heart of his children. Then, Christ would make his home in their core.

God wants to reveal himself to the nations. He will reveal himself through his family. He may reveal himself through the miraculous. But, most of the time, he will reveal himself through the changed lives of his people, and their revolutionary group dynamics, where love and service have first priority.

And he prays that what we cling to most is God’s love. That fact that God’s love stands with us, and for us, should motivate, and enable, us to stand with him, and press on to greater obedience, toward lives that represent him more openly, and vividly, and move into greater alignment with how he designed people to be.

And, not only cling to it, but wade into it up to our chins. To grasp how strong, and how vast, it is. Throughout our lives, and throughout eternity, layer after layer will be removed, and we will see God’s love more fully, and truly. And it is this love, that as we grow in understanding, and we interact with, that touches us deep in our cores, heals us, and completes us.

Paul's Prayers

When Paul wrote his letters, it was often in response to news that he learned about God’s family in other cities, and provinces. He wrote to encourage, to help, and to enlighten.

As part of these letters, he would often write about his prayers for them. Paul, and the early believers, had all learned from Jesus, how important prayer was. Jesus demonstrated how much attention, and involvement, God gave to the prayers of his children. Jesus demonstrated how much God listened, and acted, on the prayers of his children.

Much of the church in the West has lost a sense of the supernatural. God’s work is being done using modern business practices: advertising, entertainment, glitz, and celebrity star-power. The first century church was built by faith, love, prayer, unity, gospel proclamation, and gospel demonstration.

Paul’s prayer also give us a look at God’s priorities.

For one group, Paul prayed that they might have a spirit of wisdom, and revelation. It was not only important to understand the right path, and how to walk in it faithfully, but to be open to new communication from the Father. All of which should result in growth of the knowledge of God.

The word “knowledge” in the original language did mean information, and understanding, but it also included experience. Many people have information, and understanding, about war. But the mean, who splashed ashore at Normandy, on D-Day, have tastes, smells, sights, and sounds, engraved into their memories, because of what they experienced.

He prays that we might understand the positive future, God has invited us to participate in. We partner in a mission to reclaim God’s kingdom, of world transformation. We move into an eternal relationship with the Father, and his family.

He prays that we might grow in grasping how much god values his people. His death to redeem us proclaims it. His moment by moment attention proclaims it.

And he prays that we might realize the power that God is ready to wield on our behalf. He exerted that power, when he raised Jesus from the dead, and turned the world upside down.

The Most Important? (2)

We discussed in the last post, how the writers of the New Testament encountered God's love, and discovered that it was different than any other understanding of love. So, they took a little used word for love, and gave it new meaning.

There is a famous passage in Scripture, where Paul tries to give a picture of this "new" understanding of love. So, I am going to spend some time, using this passage, to paint a picture of this love. Since, a number of these characteristics of love were expressed negatively — "Love is not this …" — I am going to try to express it positively. And since, we have given a simple definition of love — "giving without expectations" — I am going to try to express it in terms of what is being given.

Patient

This is when somebody does something dumb, and you want to hit him, but don't. Human nature wants to retaliate. Love takes a deep breath, and gives mercy, and grace.

Kind

Love does something beneficial, or something to help. Love gives time, energy, and, maybe, resources.

Not Envious

The word translated "envious" in the original language is defined as: "to set one's heart intently on." Setting our hearts intently can be good. If we set our hearts on being kind, that's good. If we set our hearts on another's property, position, or relationship, that's not good. Humans get caught up in what others have. And the fact that they don't have whatever it is. Love gives thanks, and rejoices, when good happens to other people.

Not Boasting/Not Proud

These are two separate traits, but I am combining them, because they seem to be two sides of the same coin. One side promotes one's self. The other side demotes toers. In each case, the message is: "I am better. I am first,"

Love removes the hierarchy. Love gives a humble, honest assessment. This is not say: "I am beneath everyone." This is saying: "We are the same. I am better at some things. You are better at others. I can go first. Or I can go second."

Not Dishonor

If we are "not dishonoring," then we must be "honoring." I understand "honor" to mean: "to act in a way that shows something has value." In cultures, that are charactorized more by honor and shame, people show honor by maintaining connection, and relationship. The show dishonor by cutting off connection, and relationship. So, love gives attention, and involvement, in people's lives. Love gives time and energy.

Not Self-seeking

If "not self-seeking," then we must be "other seeking." This does not mean, it is wrong to take care of ourselves, or, even. to treat ourselves. It does mean love does not get totally absorbed in one's self. Love gives attention to others' needs. Love gives acts of kindness toward others.

Not Easily Angered

This is similar to patient. Sometimes, something happens, and people explode. We need to allow time, and room, for appropriate responses. We do not always see the whole situation, or understand all the motives. Love gives a slow fuse. Love gives time for understanding, and restraint in assigning blame.

Keeps No Records of Wrongs

Love gives forgiveness. Which means we surrender the right to retribution.

Suppose someone borrows money from you, saying they will repay you right away. And they don't. Forgiveness means:

• You surrender your money.
• You surrender getting angry.
• You surrender legal action.
• You surrender not doing good in other ways.

Maybe you don't give them any more money. And maybe, you find out why they haven't repaid you.

Does Not Rejoice with Evil, But Rejoices with the Truth

Goad created the world. He created the physics, the chemistry, the psychology, the sociology, and the anthropology. God also created healthy living: physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Love gives thanks, and approval, when god's design is followed. Because people will be better off.

These next four traits speak about love's commitment. Love gives attention, and involvement, for the long haul.

Protects

"Protect" in the original language means "to cover." It reminds me of an umbrella. Love gives cover. It works to keep bad things away. But, besides that, if someone does something foolish, Someone could say: "Boy! Did you see that? That was really dumb!" And spread information about the failure to everyone. Shame, and embarrassment, could remove the heart from someone. They could stop pursuing good things. Love gives commitment by covering from exposure to ridicule.

Trusts

"Trust" in the original language is the same word as "faith." Faith is, in part, "agree with", and, in part, "stand with." People do not always do the best things. But if we stand with them, and we know them, we believe that they are trying to do the best. Love gives commitment by putting the best interpretation on behavior.

Hopes

Hope has positive expectations of the future. So, love sees the best in people, and expects the best from people. Love gives commitment by envisioning a positive future of growth, maturity, and success.

Perseveres

Love does not surrender to circumstances. We could see people's ongoing failure, or slow progess, and give up on them. We deal with failures, and move on. Love gives commitment by not fixing on failures.

Never Fails

This does not mean that "love always succeeds", or "love is always right." This is more like "love never runs out." There is always enough love. It never runs out, because love comes from God.

This picture of love is how God wants people to love. And it is how God does love. God is always committed to people. He is always gracious, always wanting the best. He gives attention, involvement, time, energy, and, quite often, resources.