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 Translation
The other day I had someone ask me about Jesus. Well, not entirely about Him, but how it is that I saw Him. See, he has heard me speak of Jesus on more than one occasion, so I guess that he was curious as to how I viewed Him in my life. We've had a few discussions over church and faith issues, so I pretty much knew where it is that he stands in his beliefs. But, he wanted to know where I stood, so I told him. Contrary to his church ideology which preaches that Jesus is separated from the Lords creation, I explained that the Father had revealed to me the truth of the Lord Jesus in my life. Much like Jesus was revealed unto the man Saul on that road to Damascus {Acts of the Apostles 9:1-5}, the Father has revealed to me my life within His love. My friend was a bit confused over this explanation of my faith. A sinful man within God? How is that possible? I quickly reminded him that anything, anything is possible with God {Matthews Account 19:26}. I have always wondered if Jesus spoke these words we find within the book of Matthew because He knew that there would be those who would not understand His message. His own apostles wondered, "Who, consequently, can be saved?" {Matthews Account 19:25}. Who indeed. Because my friend has been seeing Jesus through the lens of organized religion, and not that of the His Father in heaven. Yes, this is that very same lens which distorted my own view of Jesus for so many years. I grew up drinking the same church religious kool aid which condemned me despite the truth that Jesus has given Himself that I would be free {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}. This is the same religious system which acknowledges the sacrifice of Christ Jesus yet refuses to abide by its benefits. The truth which speaks that we have never been separated from the Father Who created us {Genesis 1:27}. The truth, as Paul speaks in his evangel, that it is Christ Jesus who we now live for {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}. In fact, it is these words of Paul which first introduced me to the truth of my own life within the Father.
In many ways, my conversation with my friend opened the door to share with another how it is that they can experience the same revelation of Christ within them as I have. Despite speaking against the organized church propaganda which has been preached for thousands of years, there are still those who, like my friend, seem willing to hear the message of my own experience. I don't condemn and warn of the pitfalls of their sin, but remind them that it is through Christ Jesus that they have been made free {Paul to the Romans 6:10-11}. That they no longer live a life defined by sin {Paul to the Romans 6:2}. This has indeed been one of the lies spoken by those within the church, and the effects of it have devastated so many lives. Every day, I see those who, like my friend, live a life of fear of losing their "Reward" of an eternity in heaven. That their sin, which has angered God enough to turn His back on them {Isaiah 59:2}, would someday cause Him to discard those He professes to love into hell. This is the same fear I grew up with. I remember praying often that God would forgive me and accept me into His presence. Never in my life did I realize that I already lived within His love. That's not what the church taught me to believe. I would only break the bonds of the lie spoken by the church through the revelation given to me by God. That I didn't need to fear that He would stop loving me {First Epistle of John 4:8}. That I had no need to fear an eternity apart from Him {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 15:22}. Through my own experiences, I can empathize with the struggles my friend is having in his faith. While I can never flip the narrative spoken by those within the church, I can continue to speak the revelation which the Father has given unto me. My prayer is that my words will lead to others experiencing the same love of the Father that I have.
For sin shall not be lording it over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace
Paul to the Romans 6: 14, Concordant New Testament Translation
~Scott~