kingdom travelin'

At the very end of Ezekiel 17, a chapter of prophesy against the intrigue of Judah during the Babylonian occupation, these words are spoken to Ezekiel.

“I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” (Ezekiel‬ ‭17:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

These words should bring comfort to the disciple of Jesus. Comfort in the knowledge that he serves the LORD who is sovereign and omnipotent. Whom shall I fear?

Christians are called to be disciples.

A disciple is one who studies Jesus and follows him in obedience.

A disciple also is one who seeks to bear fruit. This is where abiding comes in.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

I suggest that practicing the spiritual disciplines is a key to abiding in Jesus.

The disciplines, when practiced, help us rest in Him, Be changed by Him and bear fruit that gives Him glory.

Love. It’s a word with many uses and meanings. C. S. Lewis wrote a book on the four words for love used in the Greek New Testament. He called it The Four Loves. In fact the reading of it is one of the few verifiable recordings of his voice. But, I digress.

Love has many meanings and uses. It is a word often used in relation to a place, a type of food, an author, or a genre of music.

More intimately, we think of the love for a friend, a child or grandchild which is different again than the love for one’s spouse.

But there is also a biblical love for our fellows that is sometimes the hardest. It is what Jesus refers to in one of my readings this morning:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

Commandment.

You mean that guy who bullies me?

Yes.

How?

By relying on God. Through praying for him.

Why?

To give God the glory. Jesus said that:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” ‭‭(John‬ ‭13:34-35‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

If people can see that we are his disciples, He may receive glory.

Let us put away grudges, both old and new, and pursue love. Deciding to love means taking that one who is unlovely (like me) to the throne of Grace. Pray for the one who curses and does not bless. Lift him up to the One who died for us both. Pursue God in prayer for this one who is hard to love. In this way we are loving. In this way we are obeying. In this way He will change us.

Some of you are easy to love. You require no command. Jesus commands love because others of us are hard to love. For us, love is a decision, an action, a pursuit.

After 1 Corinthians 13, the famous love chapter, Paul begins 1 Corinthians 14 with two words, and I leave you with these words:

‭‭Pursue love

In the face of fear of opposition and oppression, David says:

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.” (Psalms‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

My Father wishes for me to be humble in the face of pride. He wishes for me to be meek in the face of accusation. These are only possible when I turn to Him for in my flesh, I want to win. May I love as I am loved and forgive as I am forgiven. This was the example and the command of Jesus. As we abide in Him, He enables this change to happen. Him changing me is the fruit of my abiding in Him.

Words matter.

What we say, Jesus taught us, shows us the state of our heart. So, we should be mindful of the words we use.

There are no more important words about Jesus than these:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John‬ ‭8:58‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

In these words Jesus, the man born of a woman, provides a statement as to His very being: He is God.

The perfect God-Man.

Without mixture. Without sin. Humble. Always obedient.

The ONLY fitting sacrifice for us.

Thanks be to God. Jesus was able.

He made to way to God possible, not through our attempts at religiosity but through Him alone. He is the only way.

Thanks be to God. Jesus did.

Now, for we who are IN Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation.

Thanks be to God for these powerful words.

From the Psalms, I’m reminded: “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalms‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

God is omnipotent, God is sovereign, all is for my good. Why should I fear? Whom shall I fear? No one, for my enemy is either God’s servant to correct me or is powerless against me. Thanks be to God!!!

This thought is the result of my following a plan that is new to me. You may find it a profitable exercise.

The plan is on YouVersion: The Psalms With Timothy And Kathy Keller