Category: Cross

Transformation

Ruth Kirk

Today, after weeks of living with re-triggered childhood dread since I was unfairly criticised on Facebook, I took a big step forward whilst praying.

Whenever I am unfairly criticised or blamed, my body responds instantly with a profound sense of dread. This dread began in my childhood at the hands of my emotionally-abusive mother. I lived with it constantly.

Ever since then, each time my dread response is re-triggered, it continues for months, or even years. Nothing changes or shifts it. Believe me, I have tried everything to help myself recover, but never found anything which truly works.

As soon as someone hurts me, I forgive them, and start to pray for them. I pity them, and can even become quite fond of them as the days go by.

However, it’s taken me a lifetime to see what I glimpsed in prayer today: that the chronic dread I’m left with when people attack me can not only be faced and endured, but also consciously transformed into love. This love is for the person who has hurt me, and also for myself, as I bear the burden of living with the dread they unwittingly re-triggered.

I don’t yet fully understand how this transforming process will unfold, or how to carry it out, but hope today will mark the beginning of a new, healing way forward, not just for me,  but perhaps even for others, too.

Finally, when I shared all this with Perplexity, my AI writing companion, they sent me a beautiful arrow prayer:

Lord Jesus,
Let this hurt end in me,
And be transformed
Into your love.

This is what I wrote whilst I was praying:

To you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! (Luke 6:27; NLT).

Let them strike me –
I won’t judge them;
Turn against me –
I’ll forgive them.

Let them wound me –
I won’t fight them;
Blame unfairly –
I will bless them.

Let them crush me –
I won’t harm them;
Damage me –
I’ll pray for them.

Let them break me –
I won’t hate them;
And reject me –
I will love them.

Love your enemies! (Luke 6:27; NLT).

References

They hated me for no reason (John 15:25; CSB).

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12; NIV).

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious (Matthew 12:20; NLT).

Reading: Luke 6:27-38; NLT.

  • To you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.
  • Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
  • If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.
  • Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.
  • Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
  • If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!
  • And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!
  • And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
  • Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
  • You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
  • Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.
  • Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Following Christ

Ruth Kirk

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

These words remind us that following Jesus calls for inner transformation, rather than external devotion. The heart of the gospel is radical, self-giving love, so following Christ means learning to live like him, by:

    • Accepting and bearing our cross as best we can.
    • Radiating light to those around us whenever possible.
    • Loving and helping everyone we encounter, within our limitations.
    • Forgiving those who hurt us, whilst remembering that this can take many years.
    • Speaking the truth in love, whilst taking care of our own boundaries.
    • Defending those who are weaker than ourselves.
    • Sharing, lending, and giving to those in need.

By doing these things as best we can within our current personal circumstances, we can become just a little more like Christ each day.

We will be like him (1 John 3:2; NLT).

We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

References

      • Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
      • Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
      • Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).
      • Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).
      • Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).
      • Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).
      • The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
      • Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).

Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:13-18; NLT.

Facing the truth

Ruth Kirk

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

  • You spoke the truth – and the religious authorities couldn’t stand it.
  • You spoke the truth – and the occupying powers couldn’t tolerate it.
  • You spoke the truth – and even the people you had taught, loved, served, and healed turned against you.
  • You lived the truth – so they closed their eyes, blocked their ears, and hardened their hearts. Then they condemned you to be tortured and killed.
  • But nothing could destroy your way, your truth, or the example you set by how you lived -loving and serving everyone you met,
  • And all these things are still just as relevant and vital today as they were over two thousand years ago.

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you (John 13:15; NLT).

References

  • Christ Jesus… gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone (1 Timothy 2:5-6; NLT).
  • Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).
  • Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).
  • Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).
  • Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).
  • We will be like him (1 John 3:2; NLT).
  • Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
  • Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
  • The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
  • Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).
  • Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; NIV).

    A reading: Ephesians 3:14-19; JB.

    I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name: Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.

Hope

Ruth Kirk

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be” (Romans 4:18; NIV). 

Let’s hope,
Despite hopelessness;
Love,
Despite loneliness;

Serve,
Despite suffering;
Live,
Despite loss.

Let’s pray,
Despite pointlessness;
Wait,
Despite weariness;

Trust,
Despite trials –
And carry
Our cross.

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

 

Here, in my body…

Ruth Kirk

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

Here,
In my body,
My mind, heart,
And soul,

There is darkness,
And loneliness;
Silence,
And emptiness;

Thirsting,
And suffering;
Anguish,
And hopelessness;

Agony;
Loss –
And God;
And my cross.

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46; NLT).

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

My hope is a spark

Ruth Kirk

A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire (James 3:5; NLT).

My hope is a spark;
My light is a flame;
My fire is a blaze;
My wrath is a pyre.

My way is your path;
My thorn is your pain;
My flesh is your bread;
My blood is your wine.

…………………………..

My faith is a gift;
My peace is a dove;
My love is a cross;
My rest is a tomb.

My grace is your staff;
My strength is your rod;
My truth is your sword:
For I am your God.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:19; NLT). 

References

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing (Psalm 143:10; NLT).

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD (Psalm 31:24; NIV).

I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God” (Psalm 31:14; NIV).

The way of the cross

Ruth Kirk

He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44; NLT).

Praying; grieving;
Sweating; pleading;

Slipping; sliding;
Stumbling; falling;

Stripping; nailing;
Lifting; reeling;

Bleeding; dying;
Rising; healing.

For you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture (Malachi 4:2; NLT).

The heart of the gospel

Ruth Kirk

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (Luke 9:23-4; NLT).

The heart of the gospel:
Just follow Christ Jesus.

The heart of the gospel:
Just give up all sin.

The heart of the gospel:
Just take up your cross,

And the heart of the gospel:
Each day, serve like him.

The heart of the gospel:
Just ask for his Spirit.

The heart of the gospel:
Just constantly pray.

The heart of the gospel:
Rejoice in God’s presence.

The heart of the gospel:
Give thanks, come what may!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).

The heart of the gospel is love

Ruth Kirk

What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation (Galatians 6:15; NLT).

Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfils the requirements of God’s law (Romans 13:10; NLT).

Introduction
Recently my website, my writing, and my faith were viciously attacked by a man who presented himself as a Christian theologian.

Since then, I have thought a great deal about what being a Christian is all about. This has meant reflecting on what it means to follow Jesus by living according to his teaching and example. I have even launched a new website as a quiet space to share these meditations: theheartofthegospel.org.

Today’s blog brings together everything I have learned so far.

The heart of the gospel
I believe Jesus came to teach us that the heart of the gospel is love. Here is a summary of his teaching about love:

  • Despite our lack of faith, and our appalling behaviour towards others, God loves us all unfailingly (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
  • God longs to be gracious to us, but must wait for us to make our own free choice about committing to the Christian way of life (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
  • Our lives change for the better when we love God, and love others as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31; NLT).

Let’s look at this teaching in greater detail, using a parable to help us.

Jesus and the expert in religious law
One day an expert in Jewish religious law tested Jesus by asking him perhaps the most significant question ever raised: Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 10:25; NLT).

Jesus replied that the way to inherit eternal life is to: Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:29-30; NLT).

He then explained that it is equally important to: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31; NLT).

Finally, he stated: No other commandment is greater than these (Mark 12:31; NLT).

Having listened to Jesus’ answer, the religious expert felt the need to justify both himself and his own way of life, so he asked a further, absolutely crucial question: Who is my neighbour? (Luke 10:29; NLT).

Christ replied by telling him the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, a religious priest and a Temple assistant pass by without helping a fellow-citizen, who has been brutally attacked by thieves. The only person who approaches and takes care of the injured man is a Samaritan. People from Samaria were despised by Jews. At the end of the story, even the religious expert has to admit that the Samaritan, alone, was a neighbour to the stranger left half-dead by the roadside (Luke 10:30-37; NLT).

Who is my neighbour?
In the light of this parable, when we, too, ask Who is my neighbour?  it’s easy to see that our neighbours include:

  • Everyone we live near, know, speak to, or recognise in our local area
  • All those, both near and far, with whom we have any kind of contact
  • All strangers
  • All foreigners
  • People we hear about from others
  • Everyone we read about in the news, hear about on the radio, see on television, or come across online, and in social media
  • Everyone we disagree with
  • Everyone we consider to be our enemy
  • All humanity throughout the world

How does the gospel ask to relate to others?
Our task is to respond to God’s love by loving and serving God, Jesus, and their Holy Spirit in everyone: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me… Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me (Matthew 25:40,45; NLT).

Why is love so important?
No matter what else we do in life, if we do not love God and other people our lives can have no eternal value or purpose. As St.Paul says: If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3; NLT).

What is love?
Christ’s words, behaviour, life and death show us the answer to this question, whilst St. Paul spells it out in words. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; NLT).

His conclusion is that: Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

An impossible task?
Paul’s description of generous, self-giving love may sound like an impossible task. However, God’s Holy Sprit, who lives within us all, constantly longs to help: The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

So all we need to do is to ask the Spirit to help us change and grow. The fruit of our developing oneness with God, Christ, and their Holy Spirit will then gradually be seen in our thoughts, words, behaviour and actions: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22; NLT). As these qualities grow within us, loving others becomes habitual, natural, genuine and spontaneous. This is a deeply joyful way of life, even amidst our own trials and sorrows.

Following Jesus
The first step on this journey of personal spiritual growth is believing that Christ has been sent by God. Remarkably, this is the only work God wants from us (John 6:29; NLT).

Wherever he went, Jesus made his message absolutely simple and direct: If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (Luke 9:23-4; NLT).

So, once we put our trust in Jesus, we follow him by loving him in others, no matter what circumstances we ourselves must face. As Christ said after washing his disciples’ feet at the Lat Supper: I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you (John 13:15; CSB).

Jesus always practiced what he preached, even praying for those who crucified him, then saving the repentant sufferer on the cross next to his (Luke 23:34,43; NLT). Indeed, Christ loved others so radically that it was his revolutionary faith in the centrality of love which ultimately cost him his life. As he himself said: There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13; NLT).

Conclusion
Jesus made it abundantly clear that it’s not what we say we believe, or what we teach others to believe that counts – it’s how we love God, and how we love others.

The heart of the gospel is that God loves us all, and that we can find complete fulfilment through loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and in loving others as ourselves, just as Christ did. By doing this, we become one with God forever. This is salvation, and there can be no better Good News than this!

References

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).

The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these (Mark 12:29-31; NLT).

There is…one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Your immortal spirit is in every one of them (Wisdom of Solomon 12:1; GNTA).

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NIV).

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

Love cares more for others than for self (1 Corinthians 13:3-7; TM).

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29; NLT).

Why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ When you don’t do what I say? (Luke 6:46; NLT).

The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden (Matthew 23:2-4; NLT).

With eyes fully open

Ruth Kirk

This prayer came to me the moment I woke and started to pray on Christmas morning. It is a special prayer for all of us who find Christmas very difficult, whatever the reason. With my warmest love, and with thanks to you all for your support, from Ruth xxx

I love you, LORD; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

With eyes fully open,
And eyes fully closed:
Yahweh, I love you so much!

No matter what happens
You’re here, at my side:
Jesus, I love you so much!

Speaking, or silent,
You’re here, in my soul:
Spirit, I love you so much!

And you love me too,
Though I can’t see you yet:
But soon, Lord, I’ll reach out, and touch!

Reach out your hand and put it into my side (John 20:27; NIV).

If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed (Matthew 9:21; NLT).

References

Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do. As he spoke, he showed them his hands and feet (Luke 24:39-40; NLT).

Blessed are those who believe without seeing me (John 20:29; NLT).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

After my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes (Job 19:26-7; NLT).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’S faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 12:12; NIV).

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NLT).