Friday, June 19, 2020

Reflection - Spiritual Journey - Being with Jesus

Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 5, "Being with Jesus", Question 2, Page 32.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012

 

Read Mark 3:13-15.
PHOTO: Read Mark 3:13-15. Jesus called His disciples "that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach." What are the implications for modern-day disciples?
Many Christians believe in the modern pragmatic (realistic) philosophy that our identity involves what we do. That is why when we meet strangers, we ask for their name and occupation. As a corrective to this deficient philosophy, we could turn to the classical and medieval philosophy that our identity has to do with who we are. The Bible, on the other hand, points to a different place to find our identity. It depends on whose we are (belonging to which person), or who we are with.

Modern-day disciples shouldn't ignore or forget that eternal life is defined as knowing God the Father and the Son (John 17:3). This knowledge of God is essentially relational - it has to do with how we come to know a person. We were made to walk with God and to know Him relationally. But because of our sin, modern-day disciples may shy away from finding our identity in being God's children and Christ's disciples. We tended to ignore relational knowledge in our pursuit of informational knowledge and becoming religious eggheads. Like the Pharisees in Jesus' day, despite knowing all the details of the Law, they had ignored the Lawgiver and did not know Him. They had bought Satan's lie that knowing something is more important than knowing someone. This can be seen in many forms, even with piety.

Modern-day disciples may be attracted to a form of false piety: endless activism - a breathless (panting) form of Christianity with frantic busyness, hiding the lack of relational depth. Our identity in being Christ's disciples is not based on the philosophy that it involves what we do, but to walk with God and to know Him relationally. God visited Adam and Eve for walks (Genesis 3:8). But because of their sin, Adam and Eve hid from God (and from each other). Similarly modern-day disciples hid the lack of relational depth with God by redoubling energy in service. W. H. Griffith Thomas was right when he said, "We cannot make up for failure in our devotional life by redoubling energy in service." [24] And yet, many Christians seem to be on a spiritual treadmill, wondering why they are not making any progress in their knowledge of God and His ways. Silence (Habakkuk 2:20) and stillness (Psalm 46:10) are good antidotes to mindless busyness in the Christian world.

There will be many who rely on their doctrinal knowledge and their list of religious achievements to get past God's judgment seat. But they will be sorely disappointed
(Matthew 7:21-27). Some will take pride in their knowledge of Scripture. And Scripture does say that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Joel 2:32, emphasis added). Unfortunately modern-day disciples may turn Scriptural truths into superficial mantras by removing our real self from the equation of any relationship with God. Having Scripture reading that is merely informative rather than deeply formative.

We may pretend to be deeply interested in the Scriptural reading but with superficial love. Superficial Love is when we expect physically or materially benefits, without much sacrifices. We turn away when trouble strikes. Unlike God's real love, which Love us through our mistakes, choices and accept us for us. However in everything there is a limit, if we abuse this real love, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21, emphasis added). Jesus also said that many who claim to have been busy doing good things (e.g., prophesying, exorcising, and doing miracles) in His name will be turned away from His kingdom because they had missed the most important truth: they had failed to be with Jesus. "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23) is a divine statement that exposes the lack of a relationship between busy servants and their Master, and turns all their apparently good deeds to evil deeds!


How does an ageing senior practise being with Christ?
Because the Lord has made it clear, we cannot claim ignorance or ask to be excused. Instead, we must learn to, first and foremost, spend unhurried time to know Jesus, listen to His voice, marvel at His character, discover His will, understand His ways, and enjoy His presence. Then our quest for knowledge and desire to do good will find fulfilment in the light of our being with Jesus. Then we can avoid ending up with heads crammed with information and schedules filled with activities, but hearts empty of God. We will discover that the most profound thing to say at the end of life is not "I thought" or "I did", but "I loved".

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Read Mark 3:13-15. Jesus called His disciples "that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach." What are the implications for modern-day disciples? How does an ageing senior practise being with Christ?

 
Read Mark 3:13-15. Jesus called His disciples "that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach." What are the implications for modern-day disciples?
Many Christians believe in the modern pragmatic (realistic) philosophy that our identity involves what we do. That is why when we meet strangers, we ask for their name and occupation. As a corrective to this deficient philosophy, we could turn to the classical and medieval philosophy that our identity has to do with who we are. The Bible, on the other hand, points to a different place to find our identity. It depends on whose we are (belonging to which person), or who we are with.



Many Christians believe in the modern pragmatic (realistic) philosophy that our identity involves what we do.
PHOTO: Many Christians believe in the modern pragmatic (realistic) philosophy that our identity involves what we do. Our identity has to do with who we are.
The Bible, on the other hand, points to a different place to find our identity. It depends on whose we are (belonging to which person), or who we are with.
Picture posted by Foundation Arts - Christ with Children

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https://www.foundationarts.com/images/thumbs/0052435_christ-and-asian-children.jpeg
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Modern-day disciples shouldn't ignore or forget that eternal life is defined as knowing God the Father and the Son (John 17:3). This knowledge of God is essentially relational - it has to do with how we come to know a person. We were made to walk with God and to know Him relationally. But because of our sin, modern-day disciples may shy away from finding our identity in being God's children and Christ's disciples. We tended to ignore relational knowledge in our pursuit of informational knowledge and becoming religious eggheads. Like the Pharisees in Jesus' day, despite knowing all the details of the Law, they had ignored the Lawgiver and did not know Him. They had bought Satan's lie that knowing something is more important than knowing someone. This can be seen in many forms, even with piety.



Modern-day disciples shouldn't ignore or forget that eternal life is defined as knowing God the Father and the Son (John 17:3).
PHOTO: Modern-day disciples shouldn't ignore or forget that eternal life is defined as knowing God the Father and the Son (John 17:3). This knowledge of God is essentially relational - it has to do with how we come to know a person. We were made to walk with God and to know Him relationally.
The Pharisees in Jesus' day, despite knowing all the details of the Law, they had ignored the Lawgiver and did not know Him. They had bought Satan's lie that knowing something is more important than knowing someone.
Picture posted by WallpaperDog

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Modern-day disciples may be attracted to a form of false piety: endless activism - a breathless (panting) form of Christianity with frantic busyness, hiding the lack of relational depth. Our identity in being Christ's disciples is not based on the philosophy that it involves what we do, but to walk with God and to know Him relationally. God visited Adam and Eve for walks (Genesis 3:8). But because of their sin, Adam and Eve hid from God (and from each other). Similarly modern-day disciples hid the lack of relational depth with God by redoubling energy in service. W. H. Griffith Thomas was right when he said, "We cannot make up for failure in our devotional life by redoubling energy in service." [24] And yet, many Christians seem to be on a spiritual treadmill, wondering why they are not making any progress in their knowledge of God and His ways. Silence (Habakkuk 2:20) and stillness (Psalm 46:10) are good antidotes to mindless busyness in the Christian world.


Modern-day disciples may be attracted to a form of false piety: endless activism - a breathless (panting) form of Christianity with frantic busyness, hiding the lack of relational depth.
PHOTO: Modern-day disciples may be attracted to a form of false piety: endless activism - a breathless (panting) form of Christianity with frantic busyness, hiding the lack of relational depth. Our identity in being Christ's disciples is not based on the philosophy that it involves what we do, but to walk with God and to know Him relationally.
We hide the lack of relational depth with God by redoubling energy in service. This cause many Christians on a spiritual treadmill, wondering why they are not making any progress in their knowledge of God and His ways. Silence
(
Habakkuk 2:20) and stillness (
Psalm 46:10) are good antidotes to mindless busyness in the Christian world.
Artwork by Charles Barsotti (1933-2014)
Picture posted by Fany / Raffaella Spinazzi on Sunday, 22 June 2014 at 5:34 PM - Spiritual Growth Treadmill
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVH_Cp6aacIQhNyjWkS7d25X4Ot3JETadiiLPxgaRjOyebpNZZpXacWxrUS2TGiA7AI7xwnMg3apTt0uHIUZ9f31rpy7tf0WnDfaun3z3izYWjIZhTzM8byMKW0A7JiqU1tMyJP5r7Oo/s1600/BARSOTTI-truth-1024x793.jpg
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https://fany-blog.blogspot.com/2014/06/charles-barsotti-1933-2014.html



There will be many who rely on their doctrinal knowledge and their list of religious achievements to get past God's judgment seat. But they will be sorely disappointed
(Matthew 7:21-27). Some will take pride in their knowledge of Scripture. And Scripture does say that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Joel 2:32, emphasis added). Unfortunately modern-day disciples may turn Scriptural truths into superficial mantras by removing our real self from the equation of any relationship with God. Having Scripture reading that is merely informative rather than deeply formative.



There will be many who rely on their doctrinal knowledge and their list of religious achievements to get past God's judgment seat.
PHOTO: There will be many who rely on their doctrinal knowledge and their list of religious achievements to get past God's judgment seat. But they will be sorely disappointed (Matthew 7:21-27). Some will take pride in their knowledge of Scripture. They turn Scriptural truths into superficial mantras by removing our real self from the equation of any relationship with God. Having Scripture reading that is merely informative rather than deeply formative.
Picture posted by William on Friday, 08 February 2019 at 3:18 pm

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zZrs50DifpftBm5X8YYHtIithsh-0sEEhEzOQccmY6FgqgdWr3tb9gDRWgdn5PS40lk3BxdbAKSMnSY1YhXxyCxlXOt9WSKgtx1myeMBzlCQshQR6pR5sTHO0NaLBxwYskOmMQ3vsGI/s1600/mv4TORf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mv4TORf.jpg
https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=955200



We may pretend to be deeply interested in the Scriptural reading but with superficial love. Superficial Love is when we expect physically or materially benefits, without much sacrifices. We turn away when trouble strikes. Unlike God's real love, which Love us through our mistakes, choices and accept us for us. However in everything there is a limit, if we abuse this real love, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21, emphasis added). Jesus also said that many who claim to have been busy doing good things (e.g., prophesying, exorcising, and doing miracles) in His name will be turned away from His kingdom because they had missed the most important truth: they had failed to be with Jesus. "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23) is a divine statement that exposes the lack of a relationship between busy servants and their Master, and turns all their apparently good deeds to evil deeds!

 

We may pretend to be deeply interested in the Scriptural reading but with superficial love.
PHOTO: We may pretend to be deeply interested in the Scriptural reading but with superficial love. Superficial Love is when we expect physically or materially benefits, without much sacrifices. We turn away when trouble strikes. Unlike God's real love, which Love us through our mistakes, choices and accept us for us. However in everything there is a limit, if we abuse this real love, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
Picture posted by DocPlayer.net

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https://docplayer.net/152325028-Seven-stories-to-delight-your-spirit-written-by-tracy-leddy.html



How does an ageing senior practise being with Christ?
Because the Lord has made it clear, we cannot claim ignorance or ask to be excused. Instead, we must learn to, first and foremost, spend unhurried time to know Jesus, listen to His voice, marvel at His character, discover His will, understand His ways, and enjoy His presence. Then our quest for knowledge and desire to do good will find fulfilment in the light of our being with Jesus. Then we can avoid ending up with heads crammed with information and schedules filled with activities, but hearts empty of God. We will discover that the most profound thing to say at the end of life is not "I thought" or "I did", but "I loved".



Because the Lord has made it clear, we cannot claim ignorance or ask to be excused.
PHOTO: Because the Lord has made it clear, we cannot claim ignorance or ask to be excused. Instead, we must learn to, first and foremost, spend unhurried time to know Jesus, listen to His voice, marvel at His character, discover His will, understand His ways, and enjoy His presence. Then our quest for knowledge and desire to do good will find fulfilment in the light of our being with Jesus.
Picture posted by Mancomb-Seepwood on 23 March 2020 - Vasallos

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https://www.deviantart.com/mancomb-seepwood/art/Vasallos-834833522



Dear Lord
Dear Lord
PHOTO:Dear Lord, please help us not to believe that our identity involves what we do. Instead help us to find our identity based of whose we are or who we are with. We learn from the Bible that eternal life is defined as knowing God the Father and the Son. This knowledge of God is essentially relational - it has to do with how we come to know a person. We were made to walk with God and to know Him relationally. Stop us from ignoring relational knowledge in our pursuit of informational knowledge and becoming religious eggheads. Like the Pharisees in Jesus' day, despite knowing all the details of the Law, they had ignored the Lawgiver and did not know Him. They had bought Satan's lie that knowing something is more important than knowing someone.

Help us not to be attracted to endless activism as a form of piety because it is a breathless form of Christianity with frantic busyness, hiding the lack of relational depth. Bring us on the correct path and realise that our identity in being Christ's disciples is not based on the philosophy that it involves what we do, but to walk with God and to know Him relationally. We don’t want to hide the lack of our relational depth with God by redoubling energy in service. Please help us to cultivate silence and stillness because they are good antidotes to mindless busyness in the Christian world.

Please help us not to rely on our doctrinal knowledge and our list of religious achievements to get past God's judgment seat because we will be sorely disappointed. Help us not to turn Scriptural truths into superficial mantras by removing our real self from the equation of any relationship with God, and having Scripture reading that is merely informative rather than deeply formative.

We need help not to be in the position to be lacking in relationship due to being a busy servant and shy away from our Master. This will only turn all our apparently good deeds to evil deeds.

We want to avoid ending up with heads crammed with information and schedules filled with activities, but hearts empty of God.

Help us learn to spend unhurried time to know Jesus, listen to His voice, marvel at His character, discover His will, understand His ways, and enjoy His presence. Then our quest for knowledge and desire to do good will find fulfilment in the light of our being with Jesus.

Especially in our old age, we want to discover that the most profound thing to say at the end of life is not ‘I thought’ or ‘I did’, but ‘I loved’.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!

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Reflection - Spiritual Journey - Being with Jesus
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 5, "Being with Jesus", Question 2, Page 32.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012





Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon


'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html

 


Reference
[1] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 5, "Being with Jesus", Page 27-31.

[24] Warren W. Wiersbe, Living with the Giants (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993), 172.


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Genesis 3:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3%3A8&version=NIV

Habakkuk 2:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+2%3A20&version=NIV

Joel 2:32 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel+2%3A32&version=NIV

John 17:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A3&version=NIV

Mark 3:13-15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A13-15&version=NIV

Matthew 7:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A21&version=NIV

Matthew 7:21-27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A21-27&version=NIV

Matthew 7:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A23&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Psalm 46:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46%3A10&version=NIV