One Last Post–Why is this so important?

Hey, our time together in Dallas is almost upon us, so I wanted to put one last thought out there for you. This will probably be part of the handout I (Tom) am preparing, too, but for those who read ahead…

So why is it so important to get this “relational Christianity” thingy right? (Do you think the phrase “Relational Christianity” is redundant? Is there an “non-relational” version! Sorry, couldn’t resist!). So why is it so important to live first and most in intimacy with God, then in healthy community with one another which both lead to effective mission? My thoughts are below (note these are only my thoughts–not necessarily Neil’s, Frank’s or Paul’s!).

Regarding intimacy with God. This is from my journal not too long ago.

I am now fully convinced that it was Jesus’ awareness of His Father’s love that enabled Him to live the trusting, completely dependent life that He did. And a life of trusting dependence is absolutely essential to becoming like Jesus. No one becomes like Jesus by trying to apply His teachings or follow His example.
Rather we become like Jesus by allowing Jesus to live His life in and through us. Our part is not to try harder, but to trust more and more deeply, and to surrender more completely to His loving guidance and power. Paul sums up both how to live loved and how to have Jesus live His life in us in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Notice how Paul personalizes Jesus’ love and sacrifice for him: “who loved me…” His deep personal experience of God’s love for him is what enabled him to live “the crucified life” – a life by which Jesus lived out His life in Paul.

Regarding healthy community. Consider that Jesus stated that the one thing that marks us as His people and above all other things validates the message of the Kingdom is healthy relationships! See John 13:34-35 and John 17:20-23.

Regarding mission that flows from intimacy and healthy community: Wow, I could write a lot here (indeed I have written a 6 page paper about this one!). In a nutshell, Jesus was the most “missional” person ever to live, but He stated over and over that He did nothing on His own initiative. Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” John5:19 (NASV). And Jesus ministered from the place of community (as did the Apostle Paul). Do we think we can improve on how Jesus did things? And do we really think our mission will have authenticity and power if we embark on it on our own initiative? Yet how many believers do you know who can honestly say, “I do nothing on my own initiative”?

Good place to stop, methinks! See you in Dallas.

May you be inundated, saturated and overwhelmed by Papa’s love!

Tom

Meet Emma Murray

Quite a few believers in Jesus are familiar with Andrew Murray. He was a prolific writer of devotional books over 100 years ago. Perhaps one of his best know books is Absolute Surrender. My favorites are With Christ in the School of Prayer and Abide in Christ and…well I guess there are too many. If you haven’t read any of Andrew Murray’s books, you might consider picking up a copy (get one in updated language). His writings have helped me a lot on the journey into intimacy with God and into a life of obedience to Jesus.

But Andrew Murray’s wife, Emma, was in her own right a remarkable follower of Jesus, and for this post I wanted to give you a quote from her that really summarizes how the surrendered, intimate life with Jesus works. Let us know what you think of her thoughts.

Emma Murray (from Andrew and Emma Murray, by Leona Choy, pp. 214-215)
“There is a step higher than just looking forward to Heaven. We may have our life so in Christ that even here below we may enjoy peace and happiness in Him which no earthly events can shake or destroy. And it is not by despising or trampling upon earthly things, but living above them, willing and loving to live for His glory and the good of others, and counting it all joy even in tribulation for His sake.
“God means us to know and experience that perfect peace and quiet of mind under all circumstances is possible. Nothing interferes more with work or renders it more difficult than fretting or worrying. In such a state of mind we can do nothing well. We must in a childlike way acknowledge God’s will in everything with His peace in our hearts and a truly humble walk with God, bowing to his will….
“All this is attainable through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God, through receiving Christ as our Sanctification as well as our Justification. It is through an entire, unconditional surrender of ourselves to Him and an entire cessation from our own efforts and works, while waiting for the suggestions and influences of the Holy Spirit. And through believing in His indwelling and expecting His guidance even in the minutest concerns of our daily life.”

More later.

Tom, on behalf of Neil, Paul and Frank