On March 1, 2018 I will complete my seventy-first orbit
around the sun. It is not nearly as notable an accomplishment as I might have
thought. There is some word of a cake and probably some very pleasant wishes
for many happy returns and a few cards. But I don’t expect a very big show, and
that’s as it should be. However, in 71 circuits I have gathered a few things
that I believe are significant and beneficial that I would like to offer as my
gift to any who are interested.
Just in the last several days, I have discovered or realized
something that I had not until that time seen as clearly or dramatically
before. For a long time, I have said that the resurrection of Jesus was the
most significant event in the history of the world. Without the resurrection
the crucifixion would have been unimportant. Recently I have seen another
exciting result of the resurrection. In Acts 2:36 I read;
Let all
the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord
and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
God has made him both Lord and Christ. I had always thought
that I needed to acknowledge Jesus Lord and Christ for it to be so. Nope! God
has made it so. It is established as surely as gravity. The resurrection of
Jesus is God’s signature. This is why, after he was resurrected, he could say
with full assurance.
“All authority has been given unto me…”
(Matthew 28:18)
This authority is not dependent on anything you or I say,
think or do. Jesus authority is absolute.
When Jesus was asked when the kingdom of God would appear,
(Luke 17:20 and following) he replied “…behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
He did not say “it shall be” or some time in the future. The kingdom of God is
within you, Now!
I often like to ask the question, “What does that mean?”
God made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Jesus says “All authority
has been given to me.” The Kingdom of God is within you (now).
Putting these things together, it seems to me that the
kingdom of God is here in our midst now. I live in the kingdom of God to the
degree that I submit to the rule of the king. It has little to do with saying
the prayers, doing the liturgy, or having the correct doctrine. All of those
things and many others may be correct and helpful. Living in the Kingdom of God
is still simply living under the authority of the King.
I lived for over 50 years as a frustrated “Christian”. Jesus
words, “Come unto me and I will give you rest”, were a torment to my heart. I
had come to Jesus and I had done all the things that I was told to do to the
best of my ability and still I could not find rest. Things continue to happen
that get me upset; things that cause me to sin with my mouth. Murder, hatred, adultery,
and anger were easily stirred up in my inner man and often came out in words
and actions.
A few years ago, I began to find the rest that Jesus
promises to those who come unto him, who learn of and from him. I gave some
insight into how this happened in a couple of articles in 2009 (http://rickeveringham.blogspot.com/2009/10/life-changing-experience.html
and http://rickeveringham.blogspot.com/2009/10/god-bless-america.html
). The longer I meditate on the words of Jesus, the more they become part of
how I think and respond. This has been and continues to be key.
Just recently I saw a clear illustration of what is going on
and the huge problem that causes most “Christians” to live in that frustration
zone.
Imagine a sheet of paper turned sideways. On the left side
of the paper draw a line 1/3 of the way in, top to bottom. Label this section “The
Way of the World”. Then fill the rest of the section with words like, hatred,
strife, anger, envy, murder, immorality, war. This section represents the
natural inclinations of man without God. Make this section very dark.
Next, on the right side of the paper draw a line top to
bottom about 2 inches from the right edge. In this much smaller space write, “The
Kingdom of Heaven; learning to obey all that Jesus commanded.” (Matthew 28:20)
Also write things like, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and
self-control.
Now in the center write “Human Goodness and Corrupted Christianity”.
In this section write, “(Matt 5:22) If you call your brother a worthless fool you will be in danger of
going to the fire of hell.” Now draw a line through that. Next write “(Matt 5:27-28) anyone
who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with
her in his heart.” Now draw a line through that and write “Just because a man
is on a diet doesn’t mean he can’t look at the menu.” Finally write “ "You have heard, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy”.
But I say to you, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to
those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute
you.” Now cross out everything after “but I say”. These examples should give you an idea of
where this is going.
This center section is where most people who call themselves
“Christians” live. This is where I lived for way too long. Living here in the
center is frustrating. Living here you do not have peace. Living here you
constantly see the disparity between how things are and how they should be, but
you are powerless to change them, and so you are frustrated. Living here you
see how you should be living and despair because you can’t see how to change.
The answer that I have found is in Matthew 28:18-20:
And Jesus came to them and spake unto them,
saying, “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye
therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto
the end of the world.”
The only problem to seeing the full impact of this statement
is that I must realize who Jesus is speaking to. In verse 16 it says his
disciples went to Galilee. Jesus was speaking to his disciples.
This is a command for those who are Disciples, learning to
observe (obey) all the things that Jesus has commanded. In order to participate
in this life changing way, I must become Jesus disciple. As I am doing this I
become more able to offer hope to those who are trapped in the cycle of sin and
repent, sin and repent. Because I am finding victory, and I have great hope
along this way.
During this last year 3 books have been a tremendous
encouragement to me and so I pass the titles along to you for your
consideration.
1. “The
End of Religion” Encountering the subversive spirituality of Jesus by: Bruxy
Cavey.
2. “(re)union”
The Good News of Jesus for Seekers, Saints, and Sinners, also by: Bruxy Cavey.
3. “Beauty
Will Save the World”, Rediscovering the Allure & Mystery of Christianity,
by Brian Zahnd.
This is my birthday gift to you. I hope you find it
encouraging.
Always, Be Faithful!
