January 28, 2013
“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.” Romans 12:9-10 The Message
Following Jesus is life changing about everything in live your life. Without Jesus, you really don’t know who you are in the center of your life. The old you would try to create a center with “things” or use others. But Jesus changes all of that. He becomes your life. His life becomes the center of who you really are. You aren’t in control … He is. The things that used to attract you begin to fade and you begin to recognize evil as anything that tries to separate you from Christ. You begin to recognize the true things that are good: friends .. Loving others deeply in Christ .. and not having to be first. When Jesus invites you to follow Him, he begins to show you a way of life that’s impossible without Him. He doesn’t do it to shame you .. wear you down .. or leave you feeling hopeless. You may feel some of those moments. But the real life that Jesus wants for you is a life “robust in love”. He didn’t create a list of rules but you begin to realize and experience his rule of grace. When you try to live the way of Christ without Christ, you end up stuck inside yourself. That’s not the life that God wants for you today. The life that Christ offers you is nourished deeply by his very life … breath and blood. The life He offers you freely today … only takes a moment….
“We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in touch with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.” Ephesians 4:16 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Men and Women following Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
