It's Time to Get Back to Jesus - 1

THERE is only one safe and sure center of Christian experience, doctrine and testimony and that is Jesus Christ. Stand at any other point, no matter how good, and you will become lopsided. Stand with Him and you keep your balance, for by Him all things consist.
- Vance Havner

Our life is not to be found in our correct doctrine or in our piety, as important as these are. To get life from these is religion. Our life is rather to be found in Jesus Christ, and in Jesus Christ alone.
- Gregory A. Boyd

In the vein of focusing on Jesus, here is something I worte a few years ago............

The Character of Jesus is higher than the highest heavens. His love and compassion and mercy and obedience are beyond what our feeble minds can comprehend. And since we can only compare with what we know, we can say with full assurance, and still fall pitifully short, that our Saviors love would render the deepest ocean to but a single tear from the Masters eye. The sun that blazes brilliantly in the sky, but a spark compared to our Lords burning passion. The universe and all others combined, smaller than the smallest chamber of His heart. This is the God we serve; this is the Jesus of the Gospels; this is Jesus, God amongst us:

JESUS YOU ARE……….

You are higher than the highest heavens
You love is deeper than the deepest sea
Your mercy is beyond all comprehension
And your grace goes on eternally

You are the bread of life, the one true vine
You are the glorious gate for the sheep
You are the way, the truth and the life
And deep cries out to deep

You are master and lord and king of kings
You are worthy to be praised
Your the anointed one, the prince of peace
I will worship you all of my days

You are the ressurection and the life, oh lamb of God
You are the creator and ancient of days
Your the alpha and omega, beginning and end
You are perfect in all of your ways

You are the conquerer, creator, exalted one
You are victorious over death and sin
Your a father to the fatherless, faithful and true
You are this fire that burns deep within

You are my rock and my fortress, the foundation of life
You are the God that healeth thee
Your the lion of Judah, my lamb of God
You are the Christ that set me free

You are incorruptable, infallible the hope of mankind
You are the light that shines in the dark
Your majestic, omnipotent, eternal king
You are the lord over all of my heart

Thank you, Frank.

I hope others contribute to this thread anything and everything that focuses on the Person of Jesus Christ. It's hard to divide on the Person of Christ and I hope we can see that He is the most important topic to agree on.

Amen. We can certainly disagree (if we are humble, teachable, gracious & kind) on "non-essentials" (meaning non-essential to salvation, but not necessarily "un-important"), grow in certain areas, grow in our understanding, etc. (as the scripture says, "and if on some points we disagree, this too God will make clear" - to us in His timing, my added) but we can certainly all agree that "THE MOST IMPORTANT (though not the ONLY important thing) is the person, work of, & ongoing ministry in our lives now of Jesus Christ!

Yes, amen Jeff.

Apart from Jesus Christ who we love and serve and Who loves us, nothing is so important that it can keep us from walking in unity and brotherly love.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Not even disagreements can separate us from the love of God, because we agree on the most important Subject.

THERE is only one relationship that matters, and that is your personal relationship to a personal redeemer and Lord. Let everything else go, but maintain that at all costs, and God will fulfill His purpose through your life.

- Oswald Chambers

When you can't figure out whether to sit at His feet, walk in a manner worthy of His call, stand in battle, or run the race with diligence, it is time to get back to Jesus, alone.

When you can't even remember: The twenty-two characteristics of a good wife or husband, the seven steps of appeal to authority, the eight things to do when you are worried, or the nine ways to love, it is time to get back to Jesus, alone.

When you hear: it is pre, mid, post, a, or pan, don't take the "mark," it is "time, time and half a time," and you can't get through the next hour, It is time to get back to Jesus alone ... When you hear testimonies of others: raising the dead, praying all night, fasting forty days, leading thousands to the Lord, and memorizing the entire Bible, and you hear it through someone who hasn't done any of it, It is time to get back to Jesus alone...

When you hear: have faith, work hard, repent, conquer, give, suffer, sacrifice, evangelize, make disciples, wait on Him, walk in Him, pick up your cross, claim your possessions, and pray, and you feel pulled then different directions on a rack, It is time to get back to Jesus alone ...

- Jim May

Amen, there are many false Christ's. We did not receive a religion about Jesus but rather the actual Person. Jesus did not call us to religion where all these false Christ's come from but to Himself.

THE so-called "church fathers" of the first few centuries of Christianity . . . reduced Christianity into moralistic and ethical religious rules and into creedalis-tic concepts of correct content of thought. They so quickly let go of the dynamic life of Jesus Christ as the essence of Christianity, and allowed it to become merely a belief system.
- James A. Fowler

Few were as careless of orthodox formulas as Jesus.

- C K. Barrett

Julius,
While there may be some specific examples of what Mr Fowler says, I think that may be an overstated broadbrush on the church fathers. Yes, it's about the person, work, & ministry of Jesus Christ through the Gospel, repentance, the in dwelling Holy Spirit, etc. But some of these church fathers he is demeaning & reducing to orthodox lifeless parrots of rules (or at least that's how it comes across) walked with the apostles & were some of the most aflame believers you could read. The testimonies of men like Polycarp isn't like reading the doctrinal dissertation of a divinity of theology from seminary, but a man aflame with Jesus Christ who laid down his life boldly for it. I am not trying to "come against" or fault find with his quote, but I didn't find it fair, but overstating it as a broadbrush stereotype to make his point. Which I would assume was walking with the Lord & doxology as opposed to dry orthodoxy. But I almost wonder if he has actually read about many of the "church fathers", their lives, their testimonies, their martyrdom, etc.?
God Bless,
Jeff

He is a voracious reader and student of Church history, Jeff. At the end of each of his articles he always posts his extensive bibliography. He is regarded as a very balanced teacher always mindful to keep the centricity of Christ, uppermost and the focal point in all his teachings.

Your postings are very interesting, by the way. I have been observing a pattern in your writings where you often reply to other's postings that they are "either to one extreme or the other", "overstated or understated", "overly broad, or too narrow", "over-emphasizing or under-emphasizing", etc, etc. Pretty much, different ways to say they are being extreme. It is an interesting style of replying and it has the effect of marginalizing another's post as not worthy of consideration while establishing your own replies as always balanced and on the mark.

What do you think? Is it just me? Am I being too top-heavy, irregular and disproportionate?

Even though I sense your sarcasm directed at me in those last lines, let me try to ignore that & answer your question as graciously & honestly as I can:

I believe That's not "a pattern in my postings" because I personally have some "hang-up" or because I'm trying to "minimize" others or "win arguments". When & if I say it, it's because I believe it to be true. I'm not the only one that sees this propensity in human nature to very often "jump to the other ditch on the other side of the highway of holiness". Other man have written of this propensity of extreme views in errors. Other man like AW Tozer (who hopefully you don't also accuse of doing so out of ill motive, but pure honesty?). But, not that it even matters who else sees it, but that the Lord desires a right "balance" in our thinking.

I have seen also even my own self do such things (unknowingly or subconsciencely) over the years I have been following the Lord & studying His Word, & know this is the propensity of our hearts/minds very often when we see something wrong (that we observe, used to think personally but got more light on, etc.) to "swing hard the other way entirely" in response. Sometimes we find out later we "swung too hard"
& even still have to come in right balance & understanding. This is somewhat commonly referred to as "reactionary theology". We can come to a place in our thinking that is (knowingly or not - usually subconsciously) formed as more of a "reaction" to wrong than a full true understanding of what is right. I hope you follow me?

One example: So when we grow up and see "once saved always saved" type people who are really antinomians in how they live, & we are born again or revived with light on this, we usually tend to swing hard against it (because how you live should reflect what you say you believe, which is good), but then go to the extreme end almost like a Finney where we are always focused on that & think anyone who is "a Calvinist" or just believes in Election, God's Soveriegnty, Predestination, etc. is "just making excuses to sin...or not taking how they live seriously..or something else. When really, those are all Biblical terms & concepts explained in scripture. But then we often can come to more understanding to bring faith & works in proper balance & not just be reactionary in our theology to "those people we know (or used to be) who were in error..."

Anyways, you may notice "patterns" in that because I have seen & observed it over the years in myself, in further light given on certain things in studying the scriptures, & in discussions with others. Doesn't make it some "sinister motive" of mine to "win" or "minimize others". Not that I am immune to pride, and have to check my heart before God in those things too, but I know if our wrong understanding (&/or the devil through counterfeits/extremes) can cause us to "throw out all the babies with the bath water", then we will stay where we are in areas of our understanding & that itself can be intellectual self-protective pride in disguise. Anyways, hope that expresses clearly what I'm trying to say?
God Bless,
Jeff

That's a good reply bro Jeff. I myself have not noticed any patterns in your answers. I might remind you Julias that we should respond simply to what a man says. We should play the ball and not the man so to speak. It seems that your last reply was simply a personal attack on someone whose views differ from yours. It is personal because in one short paragraph you seek to undermine everything that Jeff says by pointing out " patterns." Categorizing a man as a means to attempt to silence his point of view is an ages old tactic and is never helpful especially in a forum situation. I might add that anytime people mention anything about the end times, there is always someone who tries to nullify that by the very same tactic you accused Jeff of. Lets just simply respond to the words that we write and not try and look beneath the surface. So often in two dimensional forums such as this, people add two plus two and come up with five. I know I this from personal experience.........bro Frank

Hi Jeff,

I eagerly confess that I was using satire on purpose to reveal an observation on my part and I appreciate your response and will take it at face value. I am not trying to marginalize your point of view and I am glad to hear from you that you are not consciously trying to do the same. It was a concern I had, and I could show you the pattern I noticed in several posts, but with your answer, I don't see any point in it.

So, with that concern now brought out into the open and dealt with according to your heartfelt reply, (which I completely accept without any reservations), let's get back to Jesus.

Frank,

I applaud you quickly running to Jeff's defense and I am looking forward to you jumping in and defending me the next time I am attacked personally by some of your friends.

You will find that I speak my mind no matter who it is, it has frequently gotten me into trouble as folks who have been around a while on this forum could testify to. If I believe you are attacked personally then I would defend you brother.

Last point. I have been around the courthouse enough to know that some sneaky lawyers raise points that they know will be objected to, then quickly take it back knowing that the jury heard the point anyway. Not that you would ever do that brother :) ..........bro Frank

Frank,

I don't recall taking anything back. My observations are my observations. And, I am satisfied that Jeff had no ulterior motives. If you have not noticed, I am pretty straightforward, too (not sneaky) and even if my friends are acting inappropriately towards another person, I will step in. Religion is a bully and I detest religion.

I really don't care too much about my own welfare but there are others here where no one raised an objection regarding the hateful treatment they received and that includes you. You were back in the forums during that time and since I have witnessed your fairmindedness and unbiased charity in the past, I was really hoping at some point you were going to step in and remind your friends to "play the ball". I forgive those men, but would like to see a fairer treatment in the future regarding anyone's viewpoints and hope you don't hesitate to be the person you always have been in these forums. I, like others have come to recognize and count on you to be the voice of reason and spiritual maturity in the midst of controversial subjects where some cannot control themselves.

Thanks for listening.

Those who have succeeded in defining doctrine most closely have lost Christ most completely.

- James A. Stewart

While I think I understand what James Stewart is saying (or "getting at" to be more precise)!there, his statement as a blanket statement is not true.

Paul was obviously one who had his doctrine most undrrstaood & explained it well (& said to "guard your doctrine" & "examine my (his) life AND doctrine", etc.) & He had not "lost Christ most completely" FOR SURE!

So while I think he may be trying to say not to be so focused on doctrines that you "forsake the first love" (after all, that would be more Biblical since Jesus rebuked one of the churches in Revelation for not enduring with false doctrines (a good thing), but yet losing their first love" & so being in danger of "having their candlestick (light & presence) removed" - Ephesus, I believe.

Anyways, the intent of the statement/quote may be good, but the quote on its own doesn't stand up well to scripture or truth. Doctrinal understanding without Abiding in Christ creates cold, lifeless orthodoxy, but zeal without solid doctrine creates what you see in much of Charismania in the west today (I know cause I was in that realm & was well acquainted with the top leaders - locally & nationally - of the "Full Gospel Fellowship", & I was led to speak to them directly & over time moved out of their circles Soveriegnty by the Lord, so I know wherewith I speak).

Anyways, not trying to be critical brother I promise, but I think that the quote just likely isn't saying what (whoever that guy is?) he's trying to convey?

You got it Jeff. I can see in your reply that you understand where he is coming from.

Hi Julias,

Julius, if a subject causes contention and one continually posts threads on the same subject over and over again,one after the other, then obviously that one has their own reasons for doing so. I believe, rightly or wrongly that you had your own reasons for posting multiple threads on a divisive subject even although you were getting beat up for it. Now, its happened to me and I did not expect anyone to come to my aid, I knew what I was doing and therefore the consequences were mine. Does that make sense? You see, I have no rights, not on this forum nor in the world.

I personally believed you were wrong in your estimations of Jeff and simply spoke to that. I have found Jeff to be without guile and what you see is what you get which is refreshing.

I do thank you for your kind comments though and I appreciate them very much.My e-mail is available for further private conversation if you like, you can even have my phone number :) Private conversations are much better regarding personal issues. That leaves the posts open to glorify the Lord and exhort the saints. I am sure you would agree. God bless you brother and may we discover the riches of His glory together as we focus on Jesus..........bro Frank

It's all good, Frank.

I don't really have any personal issues with anyone. I too think we should strive to glorify Christ.

God bless you too and same to Jeff.

Sorry JFW,
No offense intended. I used to really love Finney too. I still like
Some of his stuff, but find some of it to be a Little unbalanced. Anyways, I did not intend to offend or judge/belittle/demean Finney, I promise. "Plow up your fallow ground" is a great Biblical concept & I'm not taking shots or any such thing. I don't want to go down the road of exactly what all I disagree with Finney on this forum thread right now, sorry. It would take forever & not sure it would bear much good fruit anyways. Some things the Lord has to show each of us over time as we walk, fall, get picked up & restored, study, see errors we didn't see before by the grace of God, study some more, have an experience with the Lord, get chastised for our own benefit, study, seek the Lord get further rhema from the pneuma & the logos, etc. Anyways, God Bless you JFW. I didn't mean any harm or offense, I promise!
In Him,
Jeff

So Jeff, you wouldn't recommend Finney because he is unbalanced in your opinion?

I don't recommend a lot of Finney because he is unbalanced & can focus SO MUCH on self/sin that condemnation can be what's reaped. I don't feel
That way with Paul Washer, AW Tozer, David Wilkerson, or even Leonard Ravenhill, & these are all men who preached directly to the subjects of sin, repentance, self-examination, holiness, etc. Finney just had at times something like what John Wesley had early on (& then later in his life wrote about himself he somewhat evolved out of). The difference was in how it came across & focus. Finney was never "my favorite" to read anyways. These are all just my 2 cent observations/opinions though.
God bless,
Jeff

It is possible to be exact and correct in your doctrine and to be perfectly dead. Whatever may be the need of the recovery of lost truth, THE NEED OVER ALL... is the recovery of spiritual revelation as to the Lord Jesus, to see Him anew.

- T. Austin-Sparks

All the wretched mess that exists in the organization of Christianity today... is because something specific in itself, either a movement, a mission, a teaching, a testimony, a fellowship, has taken the place of Christ.

- T. Austin Sparks

I like that T-Austin Sparks quote MUCH better. 😊 lol. Ravenhill used to say similar type things. As did Tozer.

"Good theology/doctrine is a good thing, but when it's detached from the vibrant spiritual life of Christ through the in dwelling Holy Spirit within, it's just dey dead orthodoxy of mental assent & phariseeiacal hypocrisy"
Jeff Marshall (☺️)

To be honest, I didn't even follow you on what you are accusing me of in the second paragraph that ends in saying I'm being demeaning to someone & folowing it with a smiley-face. Sorry, I don't follow you.

Secondly, what gives me the right to share my opinion based on what I have seen, experienced, read, etc. is that people are entitled to share their thoughts, feelings, & opinions on an Internet forum thread (which is part of the entire point of it actually). Fact is, scripture says we are not to rebuke an elder harshly, but doesn't say we can't share what we think. Maybe it's not actually knowing me & this being an Internet forum layout, but I feel as though I was just sharing my thoughts & you are coming back with a big, long, bony corrective finger screaming, "what gives you the right!!!!" It's a forum thread. I can differ with someone's, even a man of God's, theology or a certain aspect of their ministry. That's ok. I'm entitled to it. So are you. But so am I.

Just a question based on a hunch: I wonder if you if you are staunchly Armenian in your theology (that's ok. I used to be. I'm not puffed up in pride or accusing anyone of not being a brother)? I wonder if you would have been so offended had I shared "MY" thoughts/feelings/opinions of the real or perceived theological imbalance of the preaching ministry of George Whitfield? I wonder?

Fact is, some of the Finney writings & some of the Puritan writings can be misunderstood or over-focused on neglecting other supporting truths that are crucial for one to have a right balance/understanding. True that many don't even want to look squarely at their sin! Preaching which touches upon these golden calls specifically is good. However, One can be so focused on their own sins & repenting in delist and ashes that they never "LOOK UP" unto Jesus in true faith, to believe, how the conscience cleansed, & walk in the victorious life.

Like those that make a lot of Paul Washer Sermon Jams. I love Paul Washer. One of my all time favorite preachers. But people focus so much on the "hard things" he said and make comps out of them, that many don't know his overall preaching ministry is very balanced, Christ-focused, that He preaches on love & Grace as much/more than sin, Etc. he said himself it's like "Paul Washer isn't even Paul Washer." And when he has been truly too hard in how he preached, & been convicted of it, he goes back & publicly admits it & repents of it & pours out his heart (but that doesn't make God comps or sermon jams now does it?). My point is that Finney & the words he spoke/preached is not beyond analysis. He was not infallible. He was a man. I just shared my thoughts. It's an Internet forum thread. I think I'm entitled to do that, don't you?

And I ended my thoughts with

"These are all just my 2 cent observations/opinions though."

Okay guys, I think the title of this thread is " Lets get back to Jesus." In that vein, what are your thoughts on this, not the poem itself but what it says.......

Hope and majesty surround you
You are covered by impenetrable light
You stretch out the heavens like a curtain
And you separate the day from the night

You ride upon chariots of fire
On the clouds that cover the sky
You walk upon the wings of the wind
We exalt you oh Lord on high

The seas flee away at your presence
And the mountains fall down at your feet
The valley's they dance to see such things
And your enemies all suffer defeat

The birds all sing in the branches
Of the God who feeds them each day
The lions are fed and the mountain goats leap
The great fish of the deep they do play

The moon lights up the sky at night
And by day the sun warms the earth
You hold these things in the palm of your hand
And all these things you preserve

Hide your face and the whole world is troubled
Hold your breath and we crumble and die
Look away and the world falls to pieces
We are lost without our Lord on high

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live
I'll tell the story, not the half but the whole
Of my glorious Father in heaven above
Bless the Lord oh my soul

That's awesome Frank! Did you write that? Good stuff brother!

And I'm sorry, I didn't mean to deviate from the OP. I was just sharing my heart/thoughts along the way. Not trying to couch my words to win an argument or a debate or anything. I want to make sure I am just getting back to Jesus too! His person, His presence, His words, His heart, His ministry (the part of the Body ministry He gave me to do), etc.

it's so revolting to see all this biting and devouring one another in such a pleasant manner in these forums. This religious one-upmanship is truly nauseating but tempered by the sweet venom injected in such a tactful way.

Yeah, I don't disagree that such can be nauseating. I had actually prayed & asked the Lord, "Lord, is it me?" Am I doing that and not realizing it? If so, it's not my conscience intent for sure. Anyways, God Bless!

Jeff, disagreeing is good, pushing agenda's not so much. I cannot say that you are doing this at all. I happen to agree with almost everything you state in these forums and if I agree then it must be true.
God bless you too!

Lol.

Well, I don't intend to do that (though important things in your heart you feel the Lord has shown you - given you light on over time in walking with Him & living in His Word, will have "carryover" importance on the grid in which we view a number of things spiritual), & I don't want to get "sucked in" to it by others either. I try to avoid it if I think it's just an attempt to get an argument started, while also not being scared to have the conversation if someone is really interested in having an open, honest, humble conversation. It can be hard to really discern intent on the internet though - especially when you don't really know people & can't see into their eyes as they share.

Well,
First off, just so you know 😊 - I likewise benefit from the preaching teaching of many people in both camps & I consider myself technically in neither perse. I am "more reformed" in my theology understanding election, predestination, total Soveriegnty, Soveriegn Grace, etc. I am not a "Calvinist though". And likewise I believe that "Faith without works is dead" & that the warnings and exhortations in the NT are given for a reason, but am not by any stretch an "Armenian" in my theology.

What was I attempting to accomplish? Nothing. I wasn't trying to accomplish something. I wasn't trying to be subtle & crafty in returning to "my agenda". I wasn't doing anything intentional or deceitful. I was just sharing my thoughts from my heart. No harm intended. No offense intended. No agenda hidden. Just sharing what I have seen/learned through the natural flow of conversation, but not trying to swing a sword or an agenda either. I tried to be clear about all of that too. I don't know what else to say really. I'm being honest. God knows. Sorry if it offended or bothered you. I do think no man is infallible or above examination (or comments, spoken in love & gentleness learned from experience in walking with the Lord & having him "evolve/mature/grow" my understanding in certain areas). I'm not "slaughtering" Finney as a heretic (s some do, who also do so also some of Washer, Ravenhill, etc.), but saying he was a brother & greatly used of God, but just sharing an observation. I can think of No man in the last 2,000 years who was PERFECT in every way, every teaching, etc. Some not heretical or anathema, but genuine: but not entirely perfect on every point/doctrine/focus (which includes me, you & everyone else). I don't see a problem being respectful & gentle (which if you go back & read the entire posts, I thought I was), but still weighing & considering the doctrine/teaching/focus.

But I wasn't "attempting to accomplish" anything. I didn't have premeditated designed intent. If you don't believe that, I can't do anything about that (or blame you entirely, this is an Internet forum - you don't KNOW me & I don't KNOW you like as if we were in actual physical real regular fellowship together). But my heart/conscience is clear in the matter.

God Bless you,
Jeff

Yes Elizabeth,

This is about getting back to the Jesus of the cross. There are many Jesus' (false Christ's) in this world but only one Jesus of the cross. Jesus Christ and the cross are eternally linked and cannot be separated and all those who name His name must deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Him.. There is no other way, there is no other life than the crucified life.

Amen, Elizabeth.

You are hitting the proverbial "nail on the head". That is the prayer we all need:

"God grant us more of Your Grace,
That we may grow up together,IN Him"

Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his LIFE shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his LIFE shall preserve it.

The word LIFE comes from the Greek word psuche. Psuche is the only word translated "soul" in the New Testament It occurs 105 times, and is rendered "soul" 58 times, "life" 40 times, "mind" 3 times, and "heart", "heartily", "us", and "you" once each.

IV. psuche, used to emphasize the pronoun, as we use "self" (e.g. "my soul" = "myself"), occurs 21 times and is rendered
1. "soul" : Matt. 11:29; 12:18; 26:38. Mark 14:34. Luke 1:46; 12:19. John 12:27. Acts 2:27, 31; 14:22; 15:24. 2Cor. 1:23. Heb. 10:38. 1Pet. 1:22. 2Pet. 2:8. Rev. 18:14.

http://www.ecclesia.org/truth/psuche.html

We cannot follow Jesus with our "soul life" taking the lead. And that is why we need the cross in operation (crucified life) in our walk, heart, soul. If we walk in the Spirit, we are embracing the cross and we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, soul life, self.

He that seeks to save his "soul life" shall lose his soul. Same as he that refuses the Spirit and the cross in his life and chooses his own way (soul life), shall lose his soul. Everyone will die physically, so we know the physical body will be lost. That is not in question. This earthly tabernacle will decay and go back to dust. Jesus is really talking about our soul-life and our soul. And the cross is the way out and the way to save our souls. But, there is no cross without Jesus and no Jesus without the cross. Those who separate Jesus from the cross take advantage of grace and those who separate the cross from Jesus are trying to save their soul through works (asceticism).

You raise very good questions.

When we talk about "getting back to Jesus", we are talking about "walking as He walked", and allowing the work of the Spirit in our lives to conform us to Christ. "Not our will but Thy will be done".

We will not "reign with Him", if we are not willing to pick up our cross and deny self ( soul-life). We deny Him when we refuse the operation of the cross in and against our soul-life, self.

2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Thank you, JFW...

I appreciate your contributions and find them encouraging.

It is a profound irony that the Son of God visited this planet and one of the chief complaints against Him was that He was not religious enough.

- Rebecca M. Pippert

God is not interested in religion, but He is tremendously interested in life. You cannot read the New Testament without realizing that the Lord Jesus did not care a whit for the Sabbath regulations of his day when they were set against the need of a broken man for healing. God is not interested in stained glass windows, organ solos, congregational hymns or even pastoral prayers half so much as He is in producing love filled homes, generous hearts and brave men and women who can live right in the midst of the world and keep their heads and hearts undefiled.

- Ray Stedman

RELIGION is managed spirituality””an attempt to make people feel better about themselves without helping them discover the reality of their own friendship with the Living God. It is man's attempt to do God's work.

- Wayne Jacobsen

ONE might think that, with the Bible as the center of Christianity, the unity of Christians could be easily realized. But unfortunately this has not proved true, though we can consider it fortunate indeed that, as this inability to unify proves, the letter of the Bible cannot really replace the living Christ as the center of our faith.

- Kokichi Kurosaki

Whenever the periphery is in danger of displacing the center, we are not far removed from idolatry.

- D.A. Carson

A BRITISH nobleman preaching the gospel in Sweden some years ago was asked by a lady what church he belonged to. "To the Church of Christ" was his reply. "Yes, but to what branch?" she insisted. "Madam, I do not belong to any branch. I belong to the Trunk."

Beware of a religion in which Christ is not the first, foremost, chief, principal object -- the very Alpha in the alphabet of your faith.

J.C. Ryle

I believe in a secular Christ. I do not believe in a religious Christ. I believe one of the whole difficulties of Christianity is we've put Christ in a special building, for a special occasion, with special forms of worship, special music, special everything. Cut the special out; put your hands in your pocket and go in your old blue jeans. Christ is a secular person.

- Norman Grubb

An old Chinese scholar, after listening for the first time to the story of the loving, sacrificing God, exclaimed to his neighbor, "Didn't I tell you there ought to be a God like that?"

- E. Stanley Jones

I, as a human, do not become the power or love or wisdom of God; I merely contain Him who is all these, and everything.

- Norman_Grubb

1Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

From the cowardice that shrinks from new truths,
from the laziness that is content with half truths,
and from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth,
O God of truth, deliver us.

Truth
by Rabbi Mordechai M. Kaplan

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
Naught be all else to me, Save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought By day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

- 8th Century Irish hymn

Jesus Christ Himself is the final exegesis of all truth. He is all that we need to know about God.

- Major W. Ian Thomas

Jesus Christ did not just come to show us the way; He is the way. He did not just teach us some truth: He is the truth. He did not just leave us a manual to live by. He is our life. Whatever the need of the human heart, Christ offers Himself as the solution. His eternal answer is "I am".

Much Christian teaching today is "ten steps to spiritual maturity," "the five-minute Christian parent," or "six ways to overcome grief." It is as if the Bible were nothing more than an instruction manual, a positive-thinking guide to success in any area of life, with just enough religious talk to calm our consciences and quiet that still, small voice that keeps reminding us of our emptiness. In many ways we are just like the Jews of Jesus' day to whom He said:

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life" (John 5:39,40).

Rather than digging out of the Bible principles that we apply like a technician to repair our own lives, we are to go to the Word of God to get to know the Person of Jesus Christ, the living Word! Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11: 28). He invites every person to come to Him to experience His love and compassion, and to share His resurrected life.

I'm convinced that the devil doesn't care what our eyes are on, as long as they are off of Jesus. And that includes any one of a hundred good things, like Bible knowledge, fellowship, service, giving, or worship experiences. Anything we do that is not centered on the living Christ is a substitute for Christ. What God will bless as a supplement, He will curse as a substitute. The good is often the most deadly enemy of the best.

Bob George

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18

Never in human history have Christians consumed more sermons and books. Yet few are finding fulfillment in their walk with God. This is not from a lack of consumption but rather a lack of exercise.

It is through risky obedience that we experience the glory of God. When we stop living by faith, we will stop experiencing Him, and begin to doubt Him. Our hope is to stir you to action (Hebrews 10:24) so that you experience the "life that is truly life" (1 Tim 6:19).

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Francis Chan

Have you ever heard someone say, "I tried the Christ life, and it doesn't work."? That statement is very revealing. "It doesn't work," people say. Right there you can see the root of the problem. The Christian life is not an "it"! The Christian life is Christ ­ a vital personal relationship with the One who laid down His life for you, so that He could give His life to you, so that He could live His life through you. "Christ is your life," Paul declared in Philippians 12:21. He is what we have been missing in the midst of all our highly dedicated efforts!

In my opinion, many Christians look at their salvation in Jesus Christ in the same way a teenager viewed a wedding I was performing. With glassy eyes she exclaimed, "I want to get married!" Notice she did not say, "I want to be married"; merely, "I want to get married." In her youthful understanding, to "get married" meant to have her day in the sun, to be the center of attention, and to wear a beautiful gown. Taking this way of thinking to its logical conclusion, I can easily imagine her wedding. Right after the pronouncement of "husband and wife," she expels a huge sigh of relief, thanks the minister for conducting the ceremony, thanks the guests for coming, an then turns to her groom. Giving his hand a vigorous shake, she expresses her sincere thanks to him for saving her from singleness. Then she goes out the side door, gets into a taxi, and goes home. Her goal had been achieved: She got married!

We often look at receiving Christ as the end of something ­ escape from judgment and hell ­ rather than the beginning of a new relationship of growing intimacy with our loving Lord.

Now, obviously, escape from judgment is part of the gospel, but it is not the whole gospel. Jesus defined eternal life this way: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" (John 17:3). Salvation is a new relationship, a new birth, a new life!

Bob George

"Christ alone is the treasury, storehouse, magazine, of the free goodness and mercy of the Godhead," Ambrose exclaims. "In him we are justified, sanctified, saved. He is the way, the truth, and the life; he is honour, riches, beauty, health, peace, and salvation; all the spiritual blessings wherewith we are enriched, are in and by Christ: God hears our prayers by Christ; God forgives our iniquities through Christ; all we have, and all we expect to have, hangs only on Christ; he is the golden hinge, upon which all our salvation turns."

Isaac Ambrose (1604 - 1663/1664)

Union with Christ is the heart or centre of all that has been revealed of God's thought concerning man and of mans' relationship to God. Union with Christ is like the hub of a mighty wheel. There are many spokes to that wheel ­ election, creation, redemption, salvation, sanctification, glorification; and then, like a series of subsidiary spokes ­ repentance, faith, justification, conversion, regeneration, and so on. These are the spokes of the wheel, but they all centre in Christ and radiate from Christ and reach the rim, which is God. They unite us in Christ with God.

To give all this its true and full value, it is necessary to contemplate or have revealed to us the meaning of Christ, to see what an immense thing has taken place by the Son of God becoming the Son of man, by God becoming incarnate. It is a question of our being taken, not into Godhead or Deity, but into God's Son incarnate.

Now, the first preachers of the Christ evangel preached Christ. They did not, in the first place, preach salvation or sanctification or forgiveness, or judment or heaven. That does not mean that they did not preach those things: they did; but not in the first place. They preached Christ, and all those things were included in the preaching of Christ; Christ as inclusive of all and as transcending all; for, after all, such things as salvation and sanctification, forgiveness, justification, are subsidiaries, they come afterward. Christ was before them all and Christ will be after them all. They are inside of Christ, but He vastly outstrips them all.

LIVING BY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST
By: T. Austin Sparks

To be in Christ ­ that is redemption; but for Christ to be in you ­ that is sanctification! To be in Christ ­ that makes you fit for heaven; but for Christ to be in you ­ that makes you fit for earth! To be in Christ ­ that changes your destination; but for Christ to be in you ­ that changes your destiny! The one makes heaven your home ­ the other makes this world His workshop.

The Christian life is the life of the Lord Jesus Christ lived nineteen hundred years ago, lived now by Him in you!

- W. Ian Thomas - The Saving Life of Christ

This is a reason for much of the powerlessness of our churches today; we have converted people to the church, to our doctrines, to our projects and organizations””to almost anything but Christ Himself.

-Rick Joyner

God has nothing for His Church beyond who Christ is in Himself.

He is sufficient,
He is superior,
He is sovereign,
He is supreme,
and He is the summation of all God has for us.

-David Bryant