An early poem somewhere in Christendom describes Jesus between ourselves and all others. Between ourselves and our loved ones, ourselves and our neighbors, ourselves and our enemies, between ourselves and everyone. At least it seems to me I've heard and even been familiar with something like that (I did find a parallel, and maybe the one I was thinking of, though not precisely the same thought as here).
I think this is a good sound way to look at our relationships with others. That somehow by the grace of God in the work of God in Christ and by the Spirit, Jesus is in a true sense to be the intermediary not only between ourselves and God, but also between ourselves and others. We see this truth taught in Ephesians and in the New Testament, at least by clear implication. We in Jesus are told to love our enemies, and we can only do as those in Jesus and Jesus in us by the Spirit. And this can help us in living godly and well in all our relationships.
This reality in Jesus can surely help us work through and resolve issues in ways that are pleasing to God. It doesn't relieve us of responsible steps we need to take, including confession and asking for forgiveness, along with working at understanding just what God's revealed will is for us today in given situations. But it does provide the needed dynamic by the Spirit to carry this out, and see it through to the end.
I know this is a bit obscure, and hardly easy to understand even with simple words. What thought would you like to add here?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
i do not find it obscure, it speaks very clearly to me.
Your thoughts remind me of St. Patrick's Breastplate. One of my favorite prayers. How we ought to invite Jesus to be all around us and all around others that he provides the cushion.
As you say, there is a level of personal responsibility of not only inviting Him to place Himself there but following his lead in those interactions. He isn't just bubble wrap eh?
great thought. I pray that in all my relationships, Jesus would be between all of them! I would pray the same for you as well...
Nancy,
This reminds me of the time I had with a good friend at RBC Ministries, and we do a lot of work that in itself is dull. And just being there can become boring. But how that Jesus just seemed to be present with us and give us joy in just being there. So that not jokes not that great seemed quite funny, and we actually kind of were enjoying our time. I attribute that to the Lord.
Would that all relationships were that way!
Lanny,
That may be the prayer I was thinking of. Some Celtic prayer of old, I think. And you describe it so well.
And you're right. Nothing automatic there. We are agents with him in this, even though in it, he is our salvation.
Kurt,
Thanks, and amen.
Post a Comment