"Now she shall be bringing forth a son, and you shall be calling His name Jesus, for He shall be saving His people from their sins." Now the whole of this has occurred that that may be fulfilled which is declared by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Lo! The virgin shall be pregnant and shall be bringing forth a Son, and they shall be calling His name 'Emmanuel,' which is being construed, "God with us."
Mathews Account 1: 21-23, Concordant New Testament
Growing up in the theology of the mainstream church, I always had a disconnected relationship with the Lord. God was seen as being all holy and residing in heaven, while I was here on earth among the daily struggles. God was simply there to watch over me and discipline me when I failed to meet His standards. Of course, He was available to hear my prayers as well, but even those depended on how well I behaved. It seemed that through my own efforts I would dictate how it was that God interacted with me. But was this what God had intended for me? After all, I had been created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}. Why would the Father not want a deeper relationship with me? Well, it turns out that He has wanted just that all along. We see this in the opening pages of the New Testament as the angel speaks to Joseph of the coming of his newborn son. What is interesting about this conversation is that Joseph is instructed to refer to his son as Emmanuel. This is translated into the words "God with us" {Matthews Account 1:21-23}. If God had intended to simply be an overseer, why would he come to be among His people? The author Wayne Jacobsen speaks to the Fathers relationship with His children through that of Jesus and his relationship with His disciples. In Jesus, the Father in the flesh, we see the Father at last resurrecting that relationship which was lost in the garden of Eden. For in the garden, the Lords creation fell victim to the deceit of Satan {Genesis 3:1-6}. From that point onward, man saw himself as being separated from God. Of course, having been created in His likeness, this was never true at all. Yet this is the belief which continues to be preached in many houses of worship. Too few believers have taken heed of the angels words to Joseph, that the Lord is now among us.
In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you
Johns Account 14: 20, Concordant New Testament
As I was thinking of the history of the telling of the coming birth of Jesus, I wondered how it is that we could have gotten it so wrong. Here was God speaking through His angels of the birth of His Son. That not only would He be saving His people from their sins, but that He (God) would be among His people. Yet, I realize that this goes against the grain of what modern church theology has spoken about our relationship with the Father. I have spoken to many people about my belief that I live in union with the Father and I usually receive blank stares in reply. I get it. But the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. We have the words of Jesus as well as His followers that our relationship with God is not one of separation {Johns Account 14:20}. Most modern day pastors cherry pick the scriptures in order to fit whatever narrative they are spinning. They don't shoulder all of the blame for this, as it has been the church mantra for centuries. But ask yourselves, as I have, what is it that God desires most? Is it the Lords will that we live separated from Him? Or, as the scriptures clearly proclaim, is it His desire that He be with His creation? The creator of all the universe in relationship with His creation. God among us.
~Scott~
2 comments:
Regarding the comment you made at the gym about why you left the church back in, I believe, 2008, I wanted to address that issue for a little bit. I believe you said: at one of the morning worship services the pastor taught that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, all sins past and present. Yet, at the end of the service, he called people to come forward and confess their sins. Your question was: Why is there a need to confess, (and repent), of my sins if Jesus already paid the price for my sins? I thought they were gone. I believe your pastor’s words reveal a common judicial view, that God declares justice must be served, punishment must be exacted for our sin.
Under the umbrella of this soteriological position, God must first get rid of the problem of sin in the world. His solution is to pay the penalty Himself, becoming one of us and paying the penalty instead of us. Note: In all other religions, it is men sacrificing to God (animals, crops, virgins, children, etc.) They do this in hope of gaining God's favor - make him turn her towards us, have favor upon us, etc. However, Christianity is the only faith where God sacrifices to us, so we will turn and want to be in relationship with Him… Unbelievable!
Once our sins are paid for, then the way to God is now open for all men. God is free to be in relationship with us, which He has always wanted. (There are variants on this view of the atonement, but I find myself struggling to continue agreeing with this belief that God is a God of justice and legalistic requirements in order for Him to have a relationship with us!) However, back to responding to your pastor’s theory of the Atonement:
Now comes our part. God has done his part, sacrificing His beloved Son. The ball is in my court. I am now free to be in a relationship with God, or not to be in a relationship with God. Unfortunately, even after learning what God did (sacrificing his Beloved Son, so we can be free to choose Him as “Dad”) most people don't give a shit! But for those who want to be with God and want to come home, His arms are wide open, longing for us. (See the story of the prodigal son.)
So, why confess my sins?
To ‘come home’ to God is to be in God's Kingdom. Being in God's Kingdom means to be under His lordship and to be in relationship with others who are also under His lordship. And in God's Kingdom love rules! I should say, “agape” rules. (self-less love). So, concerning the confessing of sins, this is me admitting to who I am (one who is selfish, who hurts relationships with others), humbling myself, and asking God and others in His Body (the church) for help. I do not want to sin against you! I do not want to do the things that hurt you or destroy our relationship! This negates God’s plan for His creation. Therefore, it is vitally important that I admit the weaknesses in me, get help, be held accountable, etc., so I might better conform to the image of Christ. In a real sense confession of sins is part of the act of coming home to God. It is not a legal requirement by God but my response to God's love for me and who He wants me to be.
Once I see God as a loving “Dad” who I want to please, then I will do what He asks me to do. And He asks me to love you with selfless love. I cannot do that if my selfishness gets in the way and exhibits itself in sinful behavior. Confession short circuits sin!
Scott, remember when we speak of our relationship with God, it is God who came IN Christ that he would once again have that relationship with mankind that was lost in the Garden of Eden. As you watch The Chosen series, follow along as Jesus interacts with His disciples. This is God rekindling His relationship with us! The disciples of Jesus are interacting with the Father and they don't even know it. When you speak of your faults and failures, remember that IS NOT who you really are. Who you are is a son of God living in union with Him. God knows our human faults, and He still chooses to bring us into union life with Him. What we need to focus on is who we really are in Him and not who the world or the deceiver says we are 😊
Post a Comment