Jesus between us all

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?

God and ourselves known in Jesus

I dislike reading any book very long on God and his attributes unless it sooner than later mentions Jesus. For in Jesus is the revelation and glory of God, God's final word to us. We see God in Jesus. As Jesus said, "Whoever sees me, sees the Father." And all Scripture is fulfilled in Jesus. Do we want to know what God is like? Better yet, do we want to know God? Then we need to go to Jesus. Only then, will we know the true God.

This is the only reason I'm a Christian and would remain a Christian, as far as I can tell. And really it's true, period, for us all. For Christianity is Christ, Christ among us, and Christ in us by faith. And Jesus is the way to the Father, the truth and the life. We find our true identity, our true selves only in Jesus. He has become what we are to help us become what he is (also, here) and in that to find our true selves. For only in Jesus can we begin to recover all God created us to be, or better put, who God created us to be by this new creation in Jesus.

I get lost easily and quickly when I begin to lose sight of this. My real identity doesn't lie merely in myself, in simply finding myself. Why? Because I'm a lost sinner in a need of a savior. There is something wrong with me and left to myself that becomes evident in many ways. But in Jesus by God's grace I can begin to find my way to my true identity in him bringing me towards and into a right relationship with God, with myself, with others, and with God's good world and my place and role in it.

And we need to see all of Scripture and indeed, all of life more and more in Jesus. Because of Jesus and his redemptive work for us in his death and resurrection we have the Spirit to give us this resurrection life for the new humanity in Jesus. And we believe that Jesus is Lord by his ascension, even now, so that what we do now by faith can make an eternal difference in others' lives and somehow in creation, in Jesus. And we look forward to Jesus' return when all will finally come together in God's world in perfect harmony and God's will will totally be done on earth as it is in heaven, the two becoming one in Jesus.

So I find meaning for all I am and do in Jesus. Apart from that I am scraping at the bottom of an empty barrel, lost and knowing it. But in Jesus I know that all I am and do does matter, as insignificant as so much of it may seem at this time.

What would you like to share about what "in Jesus" means in your faith and life?

friends don't let friends

We know the slogan over here: "Friends don't let friends" which can be for a whole host of reasons. One bumper sticker I saw from someone on our street: "Friends don't let friends vote Republican." Not to get into politics here, at all, today.

In Jesus we're meant to be there for each other, and also for those in the world. We need a humility and senstivity, along with discernment from God, to know what is best and what is needed, in any given situation. Perhaps we must major on listening, then offering some words that may be helpful. Our goal must be to help the other to Jesus, and that all of life and relationships would be seen and experienced through Jesus.

This is not easy, because we're all too accustomed to seeing all of life and relationships through our own eyes, and with our own interests in view, even if included is the interest of someone else. Instead, we in Jesus need to set ourselves to radically begin to see more and more through Jesus. Something like Jesus being between me and anyone or anything else. (from a poem of Celtic Christianity, which I can't recall, but sung by John Michael Talbot on this album; from the song, "Betwixt Me")

This will result in God being at the center of our lives, displacing us as the center, or maybe even something or someone else, in ways that are not good, since none of us are good for anything in such a place, as idols. God in Christ must be at the center and heart, and the way to do that is to help ourselves by prayer, and each other to seek to go through Christ in all of our thoughts and relationships. Taking every thought captive, by prayer and faith, to obey Christ. Not just for ourselves, but with humility and sensitivity, being open and ready with God's help to help others do the same.

What thoughts do you have to help us better understand and practice this? Or any thoughts.