If I could wish for anything for you in the coming year, it would not be a wish of success, wealth, or prosperity. While I certainly hope those things will manifest in your life in 2011, my wish for you is more basic.
In many ways, our life can be likened to a large building – if the foundation is properly built, then the building should endure. On the other hand, a poorly built foundation dooms even the best of construction. Success, wealth, or prosperity can exist for a time if built on a deficient foundation. Eventually, however, the insufficient foundation will no longer support the weight of these things.
Perhaps the most basic of foundational building blocks is found in Paul’s words to the churches in Galatia. My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you… Christ formed in you – now that is my wish for you. Christ formed in you – that will fundamentally transform your life.
Christ formed in you – What can you and I expect as a result of His formation in us? If we read the Gospel accounts, we quickly discover the ramifications of Him in us. We will manifest His characteristics. We can expect the same reactions from the same types of people. As He becomes formed more fully in us, we no longer strive to be Christ-like. His formation in us transforms us from glory to glory.
As Christ is formed in us, the Word still becomes flesh. As Christ is formed in us, Emanuel, “God with us” becomes evident to the world. May Christ be more fully formed in you in the coming year!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
joy to the world
Christmastime – the time when we celebrate the intervention of God into the affairs of humanity. What a concept – God with us! Peace on earth, good will to man!
Yet 2000 years ago, the coming of Jesus into the realm of man was not met with universal joy. The book of Revelation gives a glimpse into the chaos that surrounded the coming of Jesus. …and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Someone wasn’t happy about the arrival of the Messiah!
As the adult life of Jesus unfolds, we find that the displeasure with the presence of the Messiah wasn’t limited to the time of His birth. His interaction with the religious leaders of Israel continually provoked them to the same destructive rage that is revealed in the book of Revelation.
Why did the presence of Jesus elicit such a reaction? Might it be that His entry into the course of humanity revealed the way humanity had departed from the ways of God? His life was a stark reminder that ways of God are far different than the ways of man. His presence in the midst of those who claimed to be “the chosen of God” revealed just how far they had departed from the One they claimed to represent.
Years ago, I was part of a new church. Within a short timeframe, several people in the church heard in their spirit that Jesus was going to come and walk among us. We excitedly awaited the fulfillment of the prophetic promptings. We expected some sort of manifestation that would draw people into our meetings; what a glorious time it would be! Unfortunately we were deeply misguided in our expectations. There were no great miracles and healings. However God gave some of the leaders a deep love for those in bondage, those “in the world”. That alignment with the heart of Jesus caused a great deal of painful conflict within the church.
Years later I realized that Jesus had indeed walked among us. His presence revealed the heart of those whose desires were self-centered instead of God-centered. At the point of that revelation, they began to attack the very things in which they professed to believe.
Experience has taught me that things today are really no different than 2000 years ago. When “God with Us” manifests, the dragon still stands ready to devour the Messiah at His entrance. And just like 2000 years ago, the dragon will ultimately fail. The Messiah will come within and through us. The words of Jesus, taken from the book of Isaiah, will still come to pass.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.
In the midst of the good news of “God with Us” this Christmas season, don’t be alarmed by conflict that erupts at the coming of the Messiah.
Yet 2000 years ago, the coming of Jesus into the realm of man was not met with universal joy. The book of Revelation gives a glimpse into the chaos that surrounded the coming of Jesus. …and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Someone wasn’t happy about the arrival of the Messiah!
As the adult life of Jesus unfolds, we find that the displeasure with the presence of the Messiah wasn’t limited to the time of His birth. His interaction with the religious leaders of Israel continually provoked them to the same destructive rage that is revealed in the book of Revelation.
Why did the presence of Jesus elicit such a reaction? Might it be that His entry into the course of humanity revealed the way humanity had departed from the ways of God? His life was a stark reminder that ways of God are far different than the ways of man. His presence in the midst of those who claimed to be “the chosen of God” revealed just how far they had departed from the One they claimed to represent.
Years ago, I was part of a new church. Within a short timeframe, several people in the church heard in their spirit that Jesus was going to come and walk among us. We excitedly awaited the fulfillment of the prophetic promptings. We expected some sort of manifestation that would draw people into our meetings; what a glorious time it would be! Unfortunately we were deeply misguided in our expectations. There were no great miracles and healings. However God gave some of the leaders a deep love for those in bondage, those “in the world”. That alignment with the heart of Jesus caused a great deal of painful conflict within the church.
Years later I realized that Jesus had indeed walked among us. His presence revealed the heart of those whose desires were self-centered instead of God-centered. At the point of that revelation, they began to attack the very things in which they professed to believe.
Experience has taught me that things today are really no different than 2000 years ago. When “God with Us” manifests, the dragon still stands ready to devour the Messiah at His entrance. And just like 2000 years ago, the dragon will ultimately fail. The Messiah will come within and through us. The words of Jesus, taken from the book of Isaiah, will still come to pass.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.
In the midst of the good news of “God with Us” this Christmas season, don’t be alarmed by conflict that erupts at the coming of the Messiah.
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