Saints,
Recently, I was struck by the power and simplicity of what Jesus did for us in a fresh way.
Ephesians tells us that we have been giving every spiritual blessing in high places in Christ Jesus. As we know, because of Jesus, we can approach the very presence of The Most High Creator, sustainer God with boldness. He welcomes us as His children with His arms open. In other words, we live in intimacy with God which is the foundation of every relationship we have. This is true reality.
Truth: Each of us stands forgiven and fully pleasing before the Father in Christ—not because of anything in us or anything we have done. There is a level of intimacy with God through Jesus that defines our existence. We are what we were created to be most fully in Christ. We connect with God without pretense, superficiality, deceit, or reservation. We are truly transformed. Again, all of this is the most true reality, having nothing to do with our merit—all Jesus.
So, out of this self-transforming work of God in our life, we fully commune with God and consequently, are enabled to fully commune with one another. You may say, “Obviously, Steve, what is your point.” As I read 1 Thessalonians chapter one today, one word stuck out to me—“imitators.” This word implies a lot. Paul said that he and his companions were so dramatically transformed, enabled, and empowered by God to live that their manner of living changed eternal living impact. Then, those of Thessalonica saw this God-infused life and were impacted by it—they imitated it.
My point today is this. Let’s become more like Paul, an example of extreme intimacy with Jesus which in a sense compels others to the same thing. I am convinced that out of this intimacy with God, our connection with others will also become deeper. So, is our role merely to strive to be more like Paul? Not exactly, we see that we come to the Father in faith which He has given us and ask Him to accomplish what Paul said in Galatians 2:20 more fully in us. We die—Jesus lives.
Blessings, Steve
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