Tri-unity is a foreign concept to us because although we were created in the image of God, we also have suffered the results of “the fall” and often embrace our sin nature and fleshly desires.
The problem and the cure can be summarized with a look at a few verses. (I like the Scripture highlighted in the book Share Jesus Without Fear, which brings to light the Truth and is an easy way to witness to others.) It is true that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23) and that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Jesus states, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3) and “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Furthermore, "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame'" (Romans 10:9) because, "he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Corinthians 5:15). Jesus offers a new relationship, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).
Meditate on these passages and their Truth. These passages, when embraced, point to a new life with Christ—one that is the beginning of unity with God and the starting point of a changed life through God’s grace. If you do not have this relationship, I pray you search your heart and the Scriptures and accept the gift of Jesus Christ that God has so freely given through His love for you.
If you are already in a relationship with the Lord, do you feel held back somehow? Do you feel like you are breathing but not really alive? That is not God’s desire. God continues His grace for believers with a new nature and new nurture by which we have full access and ability to completely embrace His power through Christ and His resurrection. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Being that new creation which is no longer held back by old flesh and being filled with the Spirit, we now have the opportunity to employ the unity of relationship given by God.
Again, tri-unity and intentional intimacy sound like foreign concepts. But, through God’s grace and understanding we can connect His teachings and live out His calling to love Him and love others as Jesus instructed, “Love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
This is a key concept if we want to live a life of passion that brings God glory. What is our new nature and how do we embrace that new nature? Through embracing His teachings and obeying His calling in loving Him and others. This is especially prevalent in the closest relationships we have – within our marriages and our families who are our nearest neighbors.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Defining Intentional Intimacy...
How can one grasp a divine relationship and put it in a box? Understanding only begins through the revelation of Scripture and inspiration by the Holy Spirit. I pray that the words of my mouth are a sweet fragrance unto the Lord.
We believe that every relationship should seek God’s glory and that a core characteristic of all divine relationships is intentional intimacy. This essential component is defined as 'the passion and desire to pursue being known and to know one another deeply for the glory of God.' It is only with God and through God that any relationship can truly be divine--magnificent, pleasing, wonderful, and, yes, godly.
Where does that intentional intimacy definition come from? We will explore that in this, and our next several, blog posts.
As with any study or attempt to answer a question, let's begin with the answers God has given us through His divine revelation - the Bible. And, one of the best places to start is at the beginning. Now, if we look at time from a human perspective, we could start at the beginning of creation, where we came into existence. That would be a good place to start; however, God is outside time and space. "I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). Thus, we should look at what was going on before creation.
The only thing that the Bible reveals about existence before time is the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian relationship of God has been debated by theologians countless times throughout the years; the aim of this post is not to debate but to embrace the divine relationship that God has revealed. Furthermore, this first divine relationship goes beyond just the three persons in the relationship but reaches to the ultimate unity within their relationship, so tri-unity might be a better term (Metzger). Dr. Kellemen of RPM Ministries is often heard to say, "Before God created, He related." The wonder of God and how He relates cannot be completely understood on this side of heaven, but we can be awed by what we can see.
What does that have to do with us and intentional intimacy? We are created in the image of God—the multi-faceted, relating, unified image. We reflect that image, although we often have a poor vision of God and poorly reflect His image. The apostle Paul writes "for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). With God’s leading, we are transformed more into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). As we allow the Holy Spirit within us to draw us closer to God and His magnificent ways of relating, we are drawn closer to each other. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can reflect God's image and be transformed in His glory and power. We can relate as God relates. We can reflect His glory through our interactions with others and have divine appointments to increase our faith, magnify His hope, and dispense grace and love to those around us, as we focus on being known and knowing one another in unity.
We believe that every relationship should seek God’s glory and that a core characteristic of all divine relationships is intentional intimacy. This essential component is defined as 'the passion and desire to pursue being known and to know one another deeply for the glory of God.' It is only with God and through God that any relationship can truly be divine--magnificent, pleasing, wonderful, and, yes, godly.
Where does that intentional intimacy definition come from? We will explore that in this, and our next several, blog posts.
As with any study or attempt to answer a question, let's begin with the answers God has given us through His divine revelation - the Bible. And, one of the best places to start is at the beginning. Now, if we look at time from a human perspective, we could start at the beginning of creation, where we came into existence. That would be a good place to start; however, God is outside time and space. "I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). Thus, we should look at what was going on before creation.
The only thing that the Bible reveals about existence before time is the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian relationship of God has been debated by theologians countless times throughout the years; the aim of this post is not to debate but to embrace the divine relationship that God has revealed. Furthermore, this first divine relationship goes beyond just the three persons in the relationship but reaches to the ultimate unity within their relationship, so tri-unity might be a better term (Metzger). Dr. Kellemen of RPM Ministries is often heard to say, "Before God created, He related." The wonder of God and how He relates cannot be completely understood on this side of heaven, but we can be awed by what we can see.
What does that have to do with us and intentional intimacy? We are created in the image of God—the multi-faceted, relating, unified image. We reflect that image, although we often have a poor vision of God and poorly reflect His image. The apostle Paul writes "for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). With God’s leading, we are transformed more into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). As we allow the Holy Spirit within us to draw us closer to God and His magnificent ways of relating, we are drawn closer to each other. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can reflect God's image and be transformed in His glory and power. We can relate as God relates. We can reflect His glory through our interactions with others and have divine appointments to increase our faith, magnify His hope, and dispense grace and love to those around us, as we focus on being known and knowing one another in unity.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
rss feeds
For those who subscribe to RSS feeds - here is our url: http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/WzsG
With new technology (new cell phone) I have found it very easy to follow many blogs very easily. Hope you can also benefit from such technology. More postings to follow soon.
With new technology (new cell phone) I have found it very easy to follow many blogs very easily. Hope you can also benefit from such technology. More postings to follow soon.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Changes coming to Living Life on Purpose...
Many changes have been taking place in the last several months. As many of you know we have transitioned from Maryland to Tennesee. This blog is going to be making some transitions also... first with a name change and boost in activity. Hang on for the ride... it won't be a bumpy one.
Stay tuned - defining Intentional Intimacy will be the major theme this month.
God bless
Stay tuned - defining Intentional Intimacy will be the major theme this month.
God bless
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