The Source of Life

Living in Covenant

A Fulfilled Covenant

Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

Hearts United in Love

1 John 5:6-12 The Message

6-8 Jesus—the Divine Christ! He experienced a life-giving birth and a death-killing death. Not only birth from the womb but baptismal birth of his ministry and sacrificial death. And all the while the Spirit is confirming the truth, the reality of God’s presence at Jesus’ baptism and crucifixion, bringing those occasions alive for us. A triple testimony: the Spirit, the Baptism, the Crucifixion. And the three in perfect agreement.
9-10 If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God’s testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God’s own testimony regarding his Son.
11-12 This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.

For Reflection

There is no doubt in my belief that to know and understand the Christ event is a key to understanding the nature and will of God. 
However, I have always been (even as a teen) uncomfortable with the use of Jesus as a means to denigrate, demean, demonize and even foster violence toward those who do not follow Christ.  I have always believed who is "in" and who is "out" of God's favor is God's concern and not mine.

As a follower of Jesus, my task is to strive to emulate the life of Jesus. As of yet, I have not seen evidence of Jesus' manipulation of his divine being to abuse others or to use his perceived status as a God worshiper to coerce others into believing in anything. If anything, Jesus has reinforced God's intention that humans are free to choose in whom to place their trust.

Pray

Pray, and listen to the will of God whispered from the center of your soul, "Go forth and sin no more."  Show by your love the Grace of God.

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