This is the third and last update of a new book I have been busy with over the last year called “Conversations.”
This book holds to the historical reality that has good anchorage in Scripture and practical experience. The word ‘disciple’ says that we are a people apprenticed to our Master, Jesus Christ for life. This is not a three-month course or a tick box exercise but rather a relentless choice to follow the Master. We are non-professional learners in the school of faith and each day we make choices to grow in understanding His ways.
By making this announcement I am simply echoing the statement in Hebrews, “Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.” [1]
However, at this point I’m reminded that I don’t like the thought of being called, ‘a strong Christian’ to which some readers may gasp. This phrase seems to be an excuse for some Christians to drift through life and believe a lie, “It’s alright for you, you’re a strong Christian.” But the fact is I’m not, and frankly personal weakness and an utter dependence upon the resurrected Jesus seems to be the apostle Paul’s view on our high calling as followers of the Messiah!
To be clear, the apostle Paul sums up my own life quite beautifully in sharing God’s words in response to his own devotion. “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” [2] Our prayer is that more people will discover the power of this gift of weakness. It is one of those key attitudes present which will help introduce new Kingdom values and overturn our own sullied empty agendas. Is it not better to declare that we serve a strong God?
I have taken the liberty to change some overly used religious words in this manuscript because well-worn, trite words potentially lose their power when used as jargon. Don’t allow this to distract you from the purpose of this book. I’m convinced that God is not impressed with trite sayings and empty formulas when all He wants is for His will to be done and as a result His Kingdom to consume our lives and come into our neighbourhood in which we live – “on earth as in heaven.”
Deep down I am grateful for so much, for my wife and best friend of nearly half a century, our three children and four Grandchildren, all of whom God calls family. We are by no means perfect and neither do we hold all the answers to life’s problems. As Martin Luther said, “Faith is a living, daring consequence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.”
Part three of the WELCOME in my new book which is due to be completed ‘at some point!’
[1] Hebrew 12:1,2. The Message
[2] 2 Corinthians 12:7 The Message