Jesus, His Love and Sacrifice

Introduction to Relationships Theology

We often approach theology as if it were about static truths and not about dynamic relationships. If we read again Jesus’ teachings and the teachings of the apostles we will see much of what is taught is about relationships: with God, with Satan, and with each other. Let us look at theology with that in mind.

Any relationship theology for Christians must start with Jesus. Jesus’ love and sacrifice as an overview is where we begin. (Later lessons will be more specific.)

We are to be in relationship and fellowship with God. What is His nature? He is Love. He is a generous giver. The greatest gift was his gift of Jesus. God was the giver. He made the Word to become flesh, literally giving part of Himself. It is important to know how generous God is and how much He loves us. If we understand these things it is easier for us to obey Him; it is easier for us to believe Him.

We all have heard John 3:16. God’s generosity and motive for Jesus’ coming is made plain. He gave His only begotten son so we could be saved. John 3:17 is also important. It tells us that Jesus did not come to judge but to save. This is not just a theological fact but a glimpse into the grace and mercy of God.

All through Jesus’ ministry He was moved with compassion. He healed. He raised the dead back to life. He fed the hungry. He was not a dry crusty theologian but the incarnation of a compassionate God. His compassion always caused action which always caused positive change.

He was so much a giver, so much a lover: that He gave His life for sinful humankind.

God in the flesh submitted to abuse, beating, whipping and crucifixion. This is the person with whom we are to be in fellowship. How hard can it be to be in relationship with such a person?

A New Nation

“and ye are a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” 1 Peter 2:9a

“who were once not a people, and are now the people of God…” 1 Peter 2:10a

Read all of verses nine and ten. The above portions are from the Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible. See what your favorite version says.

We have been made a special people…a (spiritually based) ethnic group; a group blessed and separated by God; a group received of His mercy.

We know the ethnic groups, races, and nations of man. They all have a mix of good and evil…good because of God’s gifts in creation, evil due the the fall of humankind and the attending sin.

God wants us to embrace our new, special status and walk in newness of life. Our colors, natural ethnicity, or nation have not changed. But this new nation, this new ethnic group is to supersede the sins attendant to all human groups. We are to be a HOLY NATION.

Our identity comes from God and manifests from the new life within us. Our new identity comes from that new nature within us not from outside sources.

We have been made a people who were not a people before. We are God’s special people and He wants to demonstrate His glory through us.

Read verses 9-10 in there entirety and meditate, seek God for a revelation of what it means to be a new nation, God’s nation.

God’s Love is Active.

Often when we think of love we think of feelings. That’s not all there is to it. That is especially true if we are talking about God’s love. I love the feelings when in God’s manifest presence. I love that feeling of love and peace and joy just like others do. But God’s love goes a long way beyond those feelings.

For one thing God’s love is active. When He loves He does. We have all known people who professed love but did nothing to act it out. God is not like that. His love is so powerful that He acts upon it.

John 3:16 says He loved and gave His Son. Ps. 136 lists generations of good works by God because of His love for His people. All through scripture we see that because He loved He Healed, provided, protected, and on and on.

God’s love for you is a dynamic thing. He wants to express that love to you in your day to day life. Just believe in Him and His love and accept it as He pours His goodness into your life.

God and Liberty

Our God is a God who wants you and I to be free. Jesus, himself, read Is. 61:1 to describe His mission. “The spirit of the Lord is upon me; for the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”

One of the biggest lies the devil uses is that God is against liberty and that the devil is the champion of liberty. The exact opposite is true. The so called freedom the devil offers ends in bondage not freedom. (Pr. 5:22, John 8:34, Ro. 6:16)

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty, Ga. 2:4

Any restriction or law God ever instituted was there to protect His people and their lives. What did Jesus say was the bottom line of God’s law when He was asked what was the greatest commandment? His response was not one of bondage but one of life and liberty.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

God, the giver of life, the giver of liberty is not about restricting you, limiting your freedom. He is about RELATIONSHIP. If we have the proper relationships with Him and others the rules, the restrictions are unnecessary for we will automatically do the right things, the things that keep us free.

How Good God Is!

The second half of Ps. 33:5 says “the earth is full of His goodness.” It does not say the news is filled with His goodness or politics are filled with His goodness. The earth is filled with His goodness. And you do not have to look too far to see it.

God’s goodness is not only shown in nature but in people. There are millions of givers who go out of their way to help others. These seldom make the news but have been influenced by the goodness of God. When love and kindness are shared it is because of the goodness of God.

How good He is to give us the greatest gift JESUS so we can have LIFE. He is the God who comforts and heals. He is the God whose mercy and loving kindness endures. Ps. 136. He is the God of freedom and deliverance. He is the giver of joy and the Prince of Peace. He is the God who will never leave you or forsake you. He is the God who wants to share Hid goodness with you. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Ps. 34:8.

In spite of hard times this remains true. God is good! To you. Today.

Who do you Serve?

Just a short but needed post today. As Christians we can obey or disobey God. He has made us free and given us the ability to walk in His Spirit. As sinners our freedom was severely limited because of bondage and no Godly new life in us. Now we are free. But sometimes we enter back into the bondage of rage or of hatred or unforgiveness. When we do that we have entered into sin. Who do we serve in those moments?

Sometimes we feel justified in our sin if it has to do with politics. Some even think they get a pass on wrong actions and attitudes if their sports team loses. We cannot minister life while embracing death. We cannot be a light if we live in darkness.

I have had to repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness and help in these things. The more I walk in the light as He is the Light, I walk in peace no matter the difficulties or disappointments. Serve the Prince of Peace.

Personal Revival

During times in which we see so much corruption and evil we Christians get involved socially and politically. That is important. But the antidote to evil is not political or social at its base. There must be spiritual interventin. The arm of humans will fail us. We must depend on God.

So many see evil and pray for a revival in our nation. And that is good. But the Biblical model and the historical evidence is that we as God’s people must seek His face and give up our pet sins. Repentence, judgement, and revival all start with God’s people’

It does no good for me to pray that the evil I see in others be dealt with if I am not willing to search my heart and lay aside the things I am doing wrong. Revival starts in a search for God’s will and ways in our hearts. From there the power of His HOLY Spirit moving in the earth will expand.

God must be our King…not Trump, not Biden, not ourselves. Jesus as Lord will transform a people, a society.

Natural and Spiritual Answers

2020 was a year of many challenges. In my other blog I dealt with some natural changes I will be making in 2021. http://www.timspositiveplace.com As Christians we are responsible to do natural things to make our world better.

But if we have learned anything in 2020 we have learned that the arm of flesh often fails us. We need God’s intervention. We need to seek God for a revival across America. We need to repent and seek His face. We need to quit asking Him to support our political tribe and depend on Him as the answer, not a man, nor a political party. As important as those are, only God’s intervention and Lordship will bring the positive changes we need.

2021 will be a happier year if we depend on the One who can truly transform hearts and minds and nations.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

As Christians we of all people should be able to set aside our troubles long enough to focus on God’s greatest gift, JESUS. At the incarnation everything started to change. God will ultimately demonstrate His victory over evil. With the coming of Jesus there began a change that will continue until that day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Rejoice. We are not losing. We are in the family of God. And He is the ultimate winner.

Have a great Christmas.

Looking to God

As we look ahead to the Christmas season and beyond, by faith we can see and expect better days. But that hope and faith must not be put only in humankind and its institutions and its leadership. This year should have convinced that we as Christians must trust less in humans and more in God.

It is God that heals, delivers and restores. While we have our responsibility for social and political involvement, ultimately our hope and the hope of our nation can only be fulfilled by God’s intervention. While people, political parties, and governments let us down, God will not. Our faith and prayers must be towards God not man.

Let us seek God for a better future knowing He is faithful and He loves us. Look to God. Then look forward in faith.