The Good Of The Father (Run Away Jesus) # 1937

 

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 

Once again, the late reverend Billy Graham proved to be an inspiration for another writing of mine.  I watched a short video of the old preacher the other day where he espoused the virtue of Christians "Following" Jesus.  Not living in Christ, which is the truth which we find in the gospels of Paul, but following the same old tired church narrative of never being able to be one with Christ.  Of course, this is something that is not new to me, as I've written on the lies spoken by the mainstream church for more than a few years.  But let's unpack the words of the old preacher shall we?  The church will tell us that in order to "Follow" Jesus that we need to live a life which will be acceptable to Him.  If we don't, we're led by guilt to believe that we will somehow loose our salvation, which is the free gift of God.  My friend who sits in the halls of the Eastern Orthodox church has even spoken of those who "Don't accept the gift" given by the Father.  All which is spoken by the church in regards to our relationship with Christ is spoken from the separation theological view that has been prevalent in the church for thousands of years (More on this another time).  The narrative is that the sin of man has separated him from the presence of God.  That a holy God cannot be in the presence of sin.  They often point to the words of the apostle Paul in Romans, where the apostles words proclaim that "All have sinned and are wanting of the glory of God" {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  Yet what is so often overlooked are Paul's words in the following passage, that man has been justified through the grace of the Father "Through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus" {Paul to the Romans 3:24}.  I believe that all have sinned, that is what has been written.  However, I also believe that the grace of the Father has removed it's guilt, shame and penalty from us through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross.  This is also the written truth we find in scripture.  To say that those in the church have cherry picked the scriptures to suit the separation theology narrative is an understatement.  But it's one I've come to expect.  

"Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath and all things"

Acts of the Apostles 17: 25, Concordant New Testament 

When I sat in the pews of the mainstream church, I never heard the words of my union in Christ spoken from the pulpits.  Instead, I was made to feel guilty if my life did not live up to the standards of a holy God.  Ironically, this is the same message we see in the Old Testament.  The idea that an angry and vengeful God would visit His anger upon those who refused to follow Him.  Trust me, I didn't want to be among those who had perished in Sodom and Gomorrah.  So I tried with my best human efforts to live a life pleasing to the Lord.  To no surprise, I often would fail in that attempt.  Being a sinful man, I was taught that my sin was always before me and that I needed to be in a constant state of seeking the Lords forgiveness.  Again , the words of Paul help us to dissect the lies spoken by the church.  Paul speaks to Jesus dying to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  How is it that we need to continue seeking Gods forgiveness if Jesus has already accounted for that?  In His dying breath, Jesus Himself proclaimed "It is accomplished" {Johns Account 19:30}.  There is nothing more to be done, Jesus has accomplished all.  Not only that, but the truth of the gospel of Christ is that we do not need to simply "Follow" Jesus.  For Christ has proclaimed that our life is now in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  It has never been the Lords desire that His children be separated from Him.  On the contrary, it HAS BEEN Gods desire that He would once again enjoy the fellowship in His creation that was interrupted in the garden.  Mans acceptance of the lie of the deceiver was not the end of our relationship in the Father.  Through Christ, our life is now in Him.  

~Scott~