GospelCompilation
Grizzly Bear
Joined: 18 May 2008
Posts: 720
Location: Arizona
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 Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:17 am Post subject: |
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My wife and I were so delighted when we read this thread, hat lady. We don't often find people interested in what Jesus taught. I guess it's more fun to argue over what Paul supposedly taught. :)
| hat lady wrote: | | "What message did Jesus preach?" |
GOD'S AUTHORITY TO RULE
At first glance, one might say that Jesus preached a message about the kingdom of God. But, that phrase, "kingdom of God" isn't a very good translation. It would be more accurate to say that Jesus preached about "God's authority to rule" - and thus, by extension, the invitation for us to submit to God's authority in our lives.
If we submit to God's authority in our lives, then we will trust that His way is superior to our way. We will trust that His way of treating people is superior to the way we've always done it, and we will begin to treat people the way He treats them - with the intent of patiently restoring their dignity in loving kindness. And we will trust that His way of talking to people is superior to the way we've always done it, and we will begin to talk to people the way He talks to them - with compassionate words of gentle encouragement.
When we submit to God's authority, we trust Him enough to do things His way, even when His way doesn't feel natural, and even though His way doesn't give us the carnal satisfaction we so often crave.
LOVE and FORGIVENESS
Jesus also preached a very clear message of love and forgiveness: first, that we should love God, we should love our fellow earthlings, and (probably most importantly) we should love ourselves; and second, that we should forgive every imagined trespass against us, we should even forgive our worst enemy for every crime they've ever committed, and (probably most importantly) we should forgive ourselves.
And on what basis should we do these things? Why, on the fact that God has never stopped loving us and God has always forgiven us. In both the Old and New Testaments (and especially in Christ) God has led by example, in order that we might do as He has always done, so that we can be as He has always been.
GOD'S CHARACTER
Jesus also preached a silent message - namely, a message demonstrated through action - a message concerning God's character: who and what He is. In other words, by beholding Jesus, we see the Father. That is to say, when we look at what Jesus did and how Jesus spoke and what Jesus thought, we see the very character of God in action.
My wife pointed out the message of John 14:6. We've always interpreted His words to mean: "I am the way [to understand God's character], I am the truth [concerning who and what God is], and [once you understand and embrace who God really is, then] I am the life [that you will also live in this world]."
We are anxious to hear the thoughts of others. Thank you for posting such a wonderful thread, hat lady! |
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