As we have read through the book of John, there is a common theme that has recently come up in the past two chapters that cannot be overlooked. In chapters 6-7 we find that there are people constantly expecting Jesus to do something one way, yet Jesus does it another way. On top of that, his way was the better way! This theme boils down to the idea that we must not only believe with our mouth in Jesus, but we must live it. Living it s a little different. This is because we must be submitted to His Holy Spirit's abilities and not our own! I love this theme, even though it's my own struggle from time to time.
But as I have talked about it with others I have come to the realization that the American Church is in a world of hurt. Questions like, "How often must we submit?" or, " is there a better time than others to submit?" I feel like we sometimes miss the point! See if Jesus would be asked this question he would answer the way he did in Luke 9:23...
" 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
What's this mean you ask? Look we all have a cross to carry. For some of us it's depression. For others it's the fear of rejection or failure. Maybe even others struggle with drugs or sexual immorality. We all have a cross to bear. In this passage Jesus says that those things that bring you joy, it's time to crucify them, put them to death. Not only that but carry that cross of submission DAILY. Let's break down that word real quick. There are 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour, and 60 seconds in a minute. This means every 86,400 seconds of the day we should be submitted. That means basically every breath of your life should be his!
"Bryan, being a Christian isn't always appealing to everyone else though!" Look I get that Christianity sometimes won't win you popularity points, sometimes it can make people uneasy, but know that it's God's desire that we are walking in his Spirit all day long. "Bryan, I don't think you know my coworkers! I don't think that you know my friends! I don't think you know my family!..." the list could go on and on. You're right, I may not know these people, but I do know the heart of Jesus.
"32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33
It's a hard saying, I get that. I share it with you because I check myself with it. And no, I'm not the greatest at it all the time, but I will keep fighting to be the person God calls me to be! You should too! You see when you are submitted, the Spirit will give you the words and opportunities. He will give you the wisdom and the guidance to know what to do. He will give you the love and compassion to communicate him! It all starts with 86,400 seconds.
You see my heart hurts that we as a church have decided to be all about Jesus for one hour a week and then set our bibles on the shelf the rest of the week. When is the last time you spent an hour eating food and said that was everything you needed for the week? I'm assuming never! Why then do we think we can live this Christian walk daily without feeding ourselves? God has given us the tools. He's given us his Spirit. He's given us his Son! It's time brothers and sisters to rise to the challenge. I don't care if you just started, or have been walking with Christ for years, the time is now to fully submit to Jesus! I promise you that you will feel a sense of purpose, a sense of joy, and a sense power that you've never felt before. However, the cost of it all is your life, your way of doing things everyday and all day!
I love you beloved!
But as I have talked about it with others I have come to the realization that the American Church is in a world of hurt. Questions like, "How often must we submit?" or, " is there a better time than others to submit?" I feel like we sometimes miss the point! See if Jesus would be asked this question he would answer the way he did in Luke 9:23...
" 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
What's this mean you ask? Look we all have a cross to carry. For some of us it's depression. For others it's the fear of rejection or failure. Maybe even others struggle with drugs or sexual immorality. We all have a cross to bear. In this passage Jesus says that those things that bring you joy, it's time to crucify them, put them to death. Not only that but carry that cross of submission DAILY. Let's break down that word real quick. There are 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour, and 60 seconds in a minute. This means every 86,400 seconds of the day we should be submitted. That means basically every breath of your life should be his!
"Bryan, being a Christian isn't always appealing to everyone else though!" Look I get that Christianity sometimes won't win you popularity points, sometimes it can make people uneasy, but know that it's God's desire that we are walking in his Spirit all day long. "Bryan, I don't think you know my coworkers! I don't think that you know my friends! I don't think you know my family!..." the list could go on and on. You're right, I may not know these people, but I do know the heart of Jesus.
"32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33
It's a hard saying, I get that. I share it with you because I check myself with it. And no, I'm not the greatest at it all the time, but I will keep fighting to be the person God calls me to be! You should too! You see when you are submitted, the Spirit will give you the words and opportunities. He will give you the wisdom and the guidance to know what to do. He will give you the love and compassion to communicate him! It all starts with 86,400 seconds.
You see my heart hurts that we as a church have decided to be all about Jesus for one hour a week and then set our bibles on the shelf the rest of the week. When is the last time you spent an hour eating food and said that was everything you needed for the week? I'm assuming never! Why then do we think we can live this Christian walk daily without feeding ourselves? God has given us the tools. He's given us his Spirit. He's given us his Son! It's time brothers and sisters to rise to the challenge. I don't care if you just started, or have been walking with Christ for years, the time is now to fully submit to Jesus! I promise you that you will feel a sense of purpose, a sense of joy, and a sense power that you've never felt before. However, the cost of it all is your life, your way of doing things everyday and all day!
I love you beloved!
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