TCM - Training Christians for Ministry - GPS Journal

April 8, 2010

Vol 2, Issue 7

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Dear Friend,

Do you know Jesus? That's what the preacher asked me. And I remember how clean I felt after my baptism. But then on the way home from church I got into a fight with my brother. So did my baptism really "take"? If so, why was I still so prone to sin? Did I really know Him?

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GUIDANCE

"It did not help to think about Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Unfortunately, obedience is not my strong suit.

PERSPECTIVE

And my track record on powerful prophecy, driving out demons, and performing miracles is non-existent. So I can't even claim these as a sign that I know Him. So I must ask the question. Will He acknowledge me? Or send me away with evildoers?

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

I draw strength from this. It's not just about what I've done or not done. Yes, these are part of the deal. But there is more. In Matthew 7:23 Jesus tells us something very liberating.

He sends away those that he does not know.

So maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way. What if it's a big part of His will simply to know me? Not just what I do, proclaim, or produce. Of course these are part of the equation. If I'm doing the right things at the right time in the right way for the right reasons, they can illustrate my real connection to ultimate reality.

But what if He first must get me right? By really knowing me. Deeply, intimately, completely, fully, and freely. Like Adam and Eve who knew each other completely without shame. What if His greatest desire is that we let Him really know us? Through and beneath all the "doings."

Dear Father, please look down into our darkest corners and know us! Please place your healing fingers into our most shameful recesses so that we no longer try to dress up our sinful sores beneath good works or pretend we are anything other than your chaotic kids.

Father, please free us from the evil that masquerades as activity when you are calling us simply to walk with you. May we just look up and let you love us into yourself, so we are recognized by you on that day. In Him, Amen.

Tony