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IS ONE OF MANY (AND STRANGELY NOT AT THE SAME TIME)
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The Real Justin Chandler is one of many. At the same time, the Real Justin Chandler is not one of many.
This post is the first that I have edited / redone. I don't know if in the moment of writing it, I got carried away, was filled with a moment of passion or something else completely. What started as a short post became an expose of which I needed to edit. Allow this to be such a response.
I'm in the process of reading Glenn Packiam's new book, Secondhand Jesus (Tag line: Trading rumors of God for a firsthand faith). As I'm reading through the book, I'm reminded of a passage of Scripture I have heard my friend, David Perkins (twitter account here) refer to. Take a listen to this:
John 6:60-66 (ESV)
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” ... 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
Synopsis: many will follow Jesus. And many will stop following Jesus.
As you think through this, you find it to be true. For those of you who have been in the church for some time, think of those with whom you had a spiritual experience that was defining of your life. In some cases, those very same people who were in the midst of that moment, are no longer willing to walk with Christ. The same bears true for the people in this passage. They have witnessed:
The Healing of the Official's Son (sent home to see)
The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath (one of my favorites)
Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand
Jesus Walks on Water
I would say that these would qualify as significant spiritual moments. Yet, there were many who turned away. It seems the same bears true in our lives as well. No matter 'the moments' it seems that there are those who no matter the external evidence are still willing to walk away. The root can be found in a question Jesus asks immediately following this.
John 6:67-68 (ESV)
67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
A.W. Tozer puts it like this:
“True Christian experience must always include a genuine encounter with God.” A.W. Tozer, God’s Pursuit of Man
For each of us who follow Christ, without a genuine encounter or a point at which we have come to know Him, the timeless message of Christ becomes lost in the present reality of the world. Situations have a way of hanging our head, weighing down our heart and casting a shadow upon many joys. However, as many turn around those of whom a genuine encounter and a belief within their heart exists, they are willing to stay.
For each of you, may your experience with Christ be rooted in a daily awareness of who He is. Christ is not limited to moments, but is available continuously. On mountains, in valleys; in the darkest night of the soul, when your soul is beaming with light, Christ is available. May you come to know Him each day.
You see, I am one of many. And strangely not at the same time.
----------------
Now playing: Glenn Packiam - Burning In Me
This post is the first that I have edited / redone. I don't know if in the moment of writing it, I got carried away, was filled with a moment of passion or something else completely. What started as a short post became an expose of which I needed to edit. Allow this to be such a response.
I'm in the process of reading Glenn Packiam's new book, Secondhand Jesus (Tag line: Trading rumors of God for a firsthand faith). As I'm reading through the book, I'm reminded of a passage of Scripture I have heard my friend, David Perkins (twitter account here) refer to. Take a listen to this:
John 6:60-66 (ESV)
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” ... 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
Synopsis: many will follow Jesus. And many will stop following Jesus.
As you think through this, you find it to be true. For those of you who have been in the church for some time, think of those with whom you had a spiritual experience that was defining of your life. In some cases, those very same people who were in the midst of that moment, are no longer willing to walk with Christ. The same bears true for the people in this passage. They have witnessed:
The Healing of the Official's Son (sent home to see)
The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath (one of my favorites)
Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand
Jesus Walks on Water
I would say that these would qualify as significant spiritual moments. Yet, there were many who turned away. It seems the same bears true in our lives as well. No matter 'the moments' it seems that there are those who no matter the external evidence are still willing to walk away. The root can be found in a question Jesus asks immediately following this.
John 6:67-68 (ESV)
67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
A.W. Tozer puts it like this:
“True Christian experience must always include a genuine encounter with God.” A.W. Tozer, God’s Pursuit of Man
For each of us who follow Christ, without a genuine encounter or a point at which we have come to know Him, the timeless message of Christ becomes lost in the present reality of the world. Situations have a way of hanging our head, weighing down our heart and casting a shadow upon many joys. However, as many turn around those of whom a genuine encounter and a belief within their heart exists, they are willing to stay.
For each of you, may your experience with Christ be rooted in a daily awareness of who He is. Christ is not limited to moments, but is available continuously. On mountains, in valleys; in the darkest night of the soul, when your soul is beaming with light, Christ is available. May you come to know Him each day.
You see, I am one of many. And strangely not at the same time.
----------------
Now playing: Glenn Packiam - Burning In Me
