I am no biblical scholar or hold any authority over scriptural study, but when I read God's Word I have a desire to be so. I want to understand the historical context, the present day applications, and the future implications of what is so eloquently written in such a grand book of truth and hope. I was particularly captivated by Paul's word choice in Hebrews 12:1-4 this afternoon so I decided to grab my dictionary and dive deeper to better grasp the weight of his words in this passage. I will type out the NLT then re-type it with the definitions of particular words marked in quotations.
Original:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin."
Inserted definitions:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us 'move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time' with 'the fact, power, and capacity to last or withstand wear and tear' the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the 'person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition and fights for a cause or on behalf of someone else; historically - a knight who fought in a single combat on behalf of the monarch' who 'admits someone into an obscure society or group who possess and share not easily understood knowledge' and 'makes completely free from fault or defects' our 'complete trust or confidence in someone or something'. Because of the joy awaiting him, he 'suffered patiently' the cross, 'ignoring' its 'dishonor'. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's 'elevated and ceremonial chair for a sovereign figure used to signify sovereign power'. Think of all the 'opposition' he 'suffered patiently' from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin."
Reading the original challenged and strengthened me plenty, but re-reading it with the inserted definitions of key words brought the passage to life even more so. I originally sat down to do some Bible study to focus on the character of Jesus to them dream about the type of man I want to marry some day. Reading this scripture helped me see the type of man I want to marry, but also the type of wife I need to be and what our relationship will look like.
Jesus is a man who calls us to His power of endurance through the "wear and tear."
Jesus is a man who draws our gaze and our attention to Him and none other.
Jesus is a man who invites us into His walk of faith and obscure knowledge and insight of the gospel.
Jesus is a man who fights and works on our behalf in order to strengthen and perfect our complete trust in God Almighty.
Jesus is a man who disregarded, or in other words, ignored, the ultimate dishonoring brought forth by sinful people because he knew that his treasure and joy soon awaited him in heaven. He knew that this symbol of dishonor was orchestrated by his heavenly Father and existed to bring Him the most glory and Fame. He stayed focused on joy instead of suffering and being shamed by sinners.
Jesus is a man who patiently suffered. He was "slow to lose (his) temper with irritating people or circumstances." He was kind, patient, and considerate even in the midst of suffering. He was seen doing that. He is trusted to do that. He is praised for continuing to do that.
Jesus is a man who is elevated beside the throne of our sovereign King. He is in favor of our God and our Creator and he is beloved and made secure and confident in that love.
Jesus is a man who is secure in the love of God.
Jesus is a man who is worthy of our efforts to strive to possess the same example of character and faithful trust and love for His Only God and King. God is OUR Monarch and King and we are His ambassadors and warriors for His truth and His Word. Daily prepare yourselves for battle with His armor.
All for His Glory,
His Princess and His Bride
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Thoughts on 1st and 2nd Commandments
To me, the first two commandments are God's commands largely for loyalty, action, submission, sacrifice, reflection, and humility in how we show our fear of the Lord as our exclusive and sovereign Savior in three relationships: with Him, ourselves, and others.
I think those commandments are vague, for lack of a better word, because our response will be expressed differently from every single human from Adam all the way to the second coming, but no matter what shape or size, God is getting the glory and that's the point. For me, the vagueness is a huge security for how much God loves me because those type of instructions DEMAND a mutual pursuit, effort, and eventually an intimate connection in order to achieve deep understanding (and not just with God, but with yourself and other people as well.. Otherwise He would have left out the second commandment). To me, it is an eternal and steady invitation to the most dumbfounding, awe-inspiring, personal, powerful, intimate, inspirational, humbling, and transformational relationship I could ever have while on earth... And then to be covered in grace enough and personally appointed by name to even ATTEMPT imitation on this earth just takes it to a whole new level. And to know that He has extended and has sent sinners throughout the world to extend that very same invitation to members of EVERY tribe, tongue, and nation to ever walk this earth just makes me laugh with joy at the amount of glory He has received from those walking on earth and how much more He still deserves and will continue to harvest by redeeming sinners. God deserves glory from every detail this earth has ever known because His hands made it all so it makes total sense to me that He will not send Jesus to return until a multiplying body of believers from every variation of His Creation has proclaimed and practiced faith and glorification of His Name. He created it all so He will wait and empower and send out His chosen ones until every people group is represented in Heaven to praise Him in eternity. That is why Jesus even came... So that we could aid in the expansion of His Kingdom at His will to reach that goal - that's why He gave us the Great Commission!! Ah!!! Oh my gosh. "All for His glory." Truly! I love my Hebrew tattoo more every day, I mean it.
I also love how the order is love God, love yourself, love others. God tells us to know and love Him with everything we are capable of. Give it all, He says. And when you're doing that, the first things you should learn about Him are the ramifications of the gospel for humanity. The gospel is a testament and promise of a rescue plan set forth and predicted by God, manifested through Christ's life, public ministry, and death, and established by His resurrection after conquering sin and death by the power of the Holy Spirit fully alive in Him from and unbroken relationship and unstoppable plan with His heavenly Father. This gives us the power of the Holy Spirit, the authority of Jesus Christ and all that rests in the heavens, grace, and forgiveness so that as we learn more about God, we can, in whatever way you are able to bring Him most glory, share and practice as many characteristics of God as He graciously and personally reveals to us with confidence in His intentions for revealing and teaching them to you no matter the worldly consequences. Also, you can and will find levels of intimacy with humans as long as you live, whether deep or shallow, but I believe that marriage is the only place you will ever come closest to experiencing and imitating the intimacy and respect of Christ's relationship with us, the Church, outside of eternity. So instead of primarily trying to seek intimacy and completion in your relationships with people, I challenge you, as your sister in Christ, to surrender out loud and maybe even on paper all expectations and desires you have to find fulfillment through people in this time of stress and loneliness and seek the best and ever present invitation to divine connection. Practice getting to know God again- as your Father, Friend, Romancer, Comforter, Counselor, Savior, Redeemer, Creator, and so many more.
You are made by Him, for Him. Cling to that and claim it. Study and do everything you can to cultivate a love for HIM and who HE is and will always be first, and then He will show you how to love yourself and see yourself the same way He does and then reveal to you how you, (fill in your name), child of sinners and member of a fallen world, are specific to His plan in loving others. Be encouraged. He loves you and so do I. We're on your team.
I think those commandments are vague, for lack of a better word, because our response will be expressed differently from every single human from Adam all the way to the second coming, but no matter what shape or size, God is getting the glory and that's the point. For me, the vagueness is a huge security for how much God loves me because those type of instructions DEMAND a mutual pursuit, effort, and eventually an intimate connection in order to achieve deep understanding (and not just with God, but with yourself and other people as well.. Otherwise He would have left out the second commandment). To me, it is an eternal and steady invitation to the most dumbfounding, awe-inspiring, personal, powerful, intimate, inspirational, humbling, and transformational relationship I could ever have while on earth... And then to be covered in grace enough and personally appointed by name to even ATTEMPT imitation on this earth just takes it to a whole new level. And to know that He has extended and has sent sinners throughout the world to extend that very same invitation to members of EVERY tribe, tongue, and nation to ever walk this earth just makes me laugh with joy at the amount of glory He has received from those walking on earth and how much more He still deserves and will continue to harvest by redeeming sinners. God deserves glory from every detail this earth has ever known because His hands made it all so it makes total sense to me that He will not send Jesus to return until a multiplying body of believers from every variation of His Creation has proclaimed and practiced faith and glorification of His Name. He created it all so He will wait and empower and send out His chosen ones until every people group is represented in Heaven to praise Him in eternity. That is why Jesus even came... So that we could aid in the expansion of His Kingdom at His will to reach that goal - that's why He gave us the Great Commission!! Ah!!! Oh my gosh. "All for His glory." Truly! I love my Hebrew tattoo more every day, I mean it.
I also love how the order is love God, love yourself, love others. God tells us to know and love Him with everything we are capable of. Give it all, He says. And when you're doing that, the first things you should learn about Him are the ramifications of the gospel for humanity. The gospel is a testament and promise of a rescue plan set forth and predicted by God, manifested through Christ's life, public ministry, and death, and established by His resurrection after conquering sin and death by the power of the Holy Spirit fully alive in Him from and unbroken relationship and unstoppable plan with His heavenly Father. This gives us the power of the Holy Spirit, the authority of Jesus Christ and all that rests in the heavens, grace, and forgiveness so that as we learn more about God, we can, in whatever way you are able to bring Him most glory, share and practice as many characteristics of God as He graciously and personally reveals to us with confidence in His intentions for revealing and teaching them to you no matter the worldly consequences. Also, you can and will find levels of intimacy with humans as long as you live, whether deep or shallow, but I believe that marriage is the only place you will ever come closest to experiencing and imitating the intimacy and respect of Christ's relationship with us, the Church, outside of eternity. So instead of primarily trying to seek intimacy and completion in your relationships with people, I challenge you, as your sister in Christ, to surrender out loud and maybe even on paper all expectations and desires you have to find fulfillment through people in this time of stress and loneliness and seek the best and ever present invitation to divine connection. Practice getting to know God again- as your Father, Friend, Romancer, Comforter, Counselor, Savior, Redeemer, Creator, and so many more.
You are made by Him, for Him. Cling to that and claim it. Study and do everything you can to cultivate a love for HIM and who HE is and will always be first, and then He will show you how to love yourself and see yourself the same way He does and then reveal to you how you, (fill in your name), child of sinners and member of a fallen world, are specific to His plan in loving others. Be encouraged. He loves you and so do I. We're on your team.
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