Relationships

PRAYER: RELATIONSHIP MATTERS (PART 4)

/ Terrence Burton / Leave a comment

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:12

John 1:12 – Understanding Our Relationship with God Through Jesus

In previous discussions, we explored the nature of God the Father. This time, we’ll delve into our identity and relationship with God through Jesus, examining the impact of this relationship on our contributions to the world.

Defining ‘Sonship’ and ‘Father’

To fully appreciate this lesson, let’s define ‘son’ or ‘sonship’ and ‘Father.’ ‘Sonship’ implies being a ‘builder,’ while ‘Father’ signifies a ‘Source.’ These definitions reveal God’s role as our Provider and our duty as builders, utilizing what we receive from the Father.

The Crisis in America: A Severed Bond

The weakening bond between father and son in America presents a significant issue. This severed connection leaves sons without guidance, hindering their ability to contribute effectively to society. This concept is mirrored in nature, where a fruit or a tree disconnected from its source soon perishes, losing its ability to thrive or reproduce.

The Role of Faith

Our connection to God is forged through faith, particularly faith in Jesus Christ. This faith is the cornerstone of our walk with God.

Habakkuk 2:4 and Galatians 3:11 emphasize two key points: living by faith and the impossibility of justification by law alone in God’s sight.

Faith emerges as a crucial theme in the Bible, further underscored by Hebrews 11:6. Without faith, pleasing God is impossible, regardless of moral conduct. Faith is integral to every aspect of our relationship with God, with its absence marking a deviation from His path.

Conclusion: Our Contribution to the World

Returning to our analogy of the apple tree: Just as an apple tree nourishes others with its fruit, believers, rooted in faith, produce qualities that nourish the world. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) are fruits we offer to those around us.

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PRAYER: RELATIONSHIP MATTERS (PART 3)

/ Terrence Burton / Leave a comment

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:9

Unveiling the Essence of ‘Father’

In our spiritual exploration, the term ‘father’ deserves a closer look. Beyond a simple title, it embodies the essence of an originator, a transmitter, a force that breathes its spirit into others. These layers of meaning enrich our understanding as we delve into Jesus’s guidance on addressing God in our prayers.

The Teaching of Jesus: A Call to Intimacy

Jesus, in His earthly journey, intimately called God ‘Father.’ This choice wasn’t arbitrary. Through this, He extends a profound invitation to us:

1) Echoing Jesus: By calling God ‘Father,’ we align ourselves with Jesus, echoing His way of relating to God.

2) Shared relationship: It signals that, through redemption, we share the same relationship with God as Jesus does.

3) Cultivating Trust: This term is a reminder to foster a childlike trust in God, shaping our mindset towards faith and reliance.

Thus, ‘Father’ is not just a term; it’s an invitation to experience an intimate connection with our Creator, the one who has infused His Spirit within us.

The Understated Power of ‘Father’ in Prayer

While the components of prayer like words, faith, and desire hold their importance, the term ‘Father’ brings a unique strength to our prayers. It signifies a special bond reserved for believers, a connection unparalleled in the universe. It’s a relationship that transcends the ordinary, distinguishing us as recipients of His Spirit, unlike any other creation.

Practical Implications: Living the Connection

This understanding transforms our prayer life. As we address God as ‘Father,’ it’s not just about the fulfillment of our requests. It’s about engraving the awareness of this divine relationship in our hearts. Each prayer becomes a reminder of the redeeming work of Jesus, who bridged the gap between humanity and divinity.

By embracing ‘Father’ in our prayers, we don’t just speak to a distant deity; we converse with a loving parent who desires an intimate relationship with us. This is the heart of salvation, the very purpose of Jesus’s sacrifice – to rekindle the bond between mankind and its Creator.

YOU CHOSE YOUR DEVIL

/ Terrence Burton / Leave a comment

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

John 6:70

I know I’m about to risk being misunderstood, but here we go. Jesus chose 12 men to follow him and he made all 12 his disciples. Where he went, they went because he chose them. They all knew what it was like to hang out with him in the streets, at parties, in the temple or wherever. In the verse above, Jesus made a statement in the form of a question. To be clear, Jesus didn’t talk like Christians today. If there is a devil in your life, you have been trained to blame someone else for the presence of that devil. However, here Jesus admits that He chose His devil. He doesn’t take credit for choosing the other 11 and then shifts the blame for this devil being in his life. He chose Judas. He chose the one who was filled with the devil just as He chose the ones who would later be filled the Holy Spirit. He chose ALL of the people who were in His circle.

He never said, the devil sent Judas based upon his pending betrayal. Oftentimes it is hard helping Christians because they are lying to themselves regarding choices they made and the consequences that accompany those choices. One key difference between Jesus and Christians is that Jesus consciously chose the one who would stab him in the back and many times we don’t anticipate the betrayal at the onset of the new relationship. However, whether we are aware of a future betrayal or not is not the point. The point is that, outside of family members, we chose the people who are in our circle.

To be clearer, I’m not talking about people committing crimes against you, but betrayal, in particular. Betrayal is basically when someone who you have reason to trust does something to you with the intent to harm you. Now, you cannot have betrayal without a level of intimacy. A stranger robbing you or raping you did not betray you because there was no reasonable expectation of trust. What they did was horrible and wrong, but it was not betrayal.  But a friend, which Judas was, had the ability to betray the Christ because of the connection they had. He was included when Jesus called the disciples his friends.

Here’s what some Christians do. When things are good, we talk about how God sent this great person into our lives, but then once they are not so easy to get along with or mistreat you, you say the devil sent them. And once the relationship is over, you tell people the devil sent them instead of being honest with yourself and the world that you chose this person to be part of your inner circle who you now see as the devil. You say the devil sent your ex-spouse, your ex-boyfriend, or so forth.

Here’s why this is so important!

The power of your life rests upon the foundation of truth. There is no power in blame because blame holds someone else responsible for your life.