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).
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).
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:
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:
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).
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).
Yahweh,
May I do your will,
Give all I am,
And love you still,
Accepting
Every bitter pill –
Like Jesus.
Yahweh,
May your will be done
Throughout my life.
Lord God, please come,
And make me
More like Christ, your Son –
My Saviour.
Yahweh,
May you live in me,
Forgive my sins,
And set me free
To serve you
For eternity –
In heaven.
A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked (Psalm 84:10; NLT).
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15; NIV).
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world (Matthew 12:20-21; NLT).
We do the best we can,
You do the rest!
You help us as we navigate
Each test.
You lead us, teach, and guide us
On your way –
So we can serve you, Jesus,
Every day!
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).
References
The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me (Mark 8:34; 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).
Happy New Year!
Hello to everyone who sees this post. Some of you will know that I have been slowly upgrading my website for a long time. The scale of this task is enormous, and could easily take over my life completely.
I have fully updated every blog going back to 24.3.22, but can manage no more at present. This means that earlier blogs will not be edited to the standard I have developed over the last few years. Everything I have ever posted is still here, though, starting from November 2013, when the website was launched.
Deciding to pause the upgrade indefinitely has been difficult, but life is a struggle, and I need to protect my physical and mental health. However, I will continue to post a new, original blog here every day, for as long as God gives me the inspiration.
With love, best wishes, blessings and daily prayers for all who visit here each day,
From Ruth xxx
If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there (Psalm 139:8; NLT).
Yahweh,
You are everywhere:
In fire and water,
Earth and air.
Jesus,
Here in everyone
Throughout the world:
God’s much-loved Son.
Spirit,
With us evermore:
In life, and on
Death’s friendly shore.
Three-fold God,
In everything:
We love you, praise you,
Serve, and cling.
There is one Savior, one faith, one baptism, one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all and is within all (Ephesians 4:4-6; TIB).
References
You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:30; NLT).
Serve only the LORD your God. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).
All I have is yours (John 17:10; NIV).
All I have is love for you,
And all I have is trust.
All I have is faith in you,
For I am only dust.
Yet you give me Christ, your Son,
To follow, love and serve,
And offer me your Holy Ghost –
That’s more than I deserve!
My treasures, hid in darkness,
Are your cross, your staff, your rod;
So these are all I have to share
With you, Almighty God.
Who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! (1 Chronicles 29:14; NLT).
God is truly amazing! I roughed out this blog just before a theologian verbally attacked me, my faith, my writing, my purpose, and my website (see: https://wp.me/p45bCr-lJE).
Am I a burden to you? (Job 7:20; NLT).
Lord, I’ve always felt as if I am a burden to other people: unlovable and unwanted; as welcome as a thorn in their flesh.
I never wanted to be alive, and couldn’t cope with life as others seemed to do.
I’ve always tried so hard to fit in, yet never truly felt I belonged anywhere.
Anxiety, dread and depression have been my constant companions.
Life has been such a struggle, right from birth. I’ve been told that I am over-sensitive, that I over-think issues, that I over-react to being hurt, and that I am strange. I’ve always felt things deeply, and am able to be very raw, direct and honest with others, if I feel this is appropriate.
All I can do is to follow your example, with willing acceptance of all God sends and takes away, whilst continuing to love everyone I interact with. In practical terms, this means offering what little help, support and comfort I can to everyone whose path I cross. For me, this is healing.
So, despite everything I have experienced throughout my lifetime, I continue to rejoice, to offer thanks in all circumstances, and to pray, knowing that God brings good from everything:
Come in, my Lord!
Come in – you are so welcome!
Make me your home today,
And every day.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23; NIV).
We are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
References
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).
We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28; NLT).
Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20; NLT).
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends (Revelation 3:20; NLT).
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).
Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples (Luke 11:1; NLT).
Come in, Lord Jesus!
Come to me,
And teach me how to pray.
Come in, Lord Jesus!
Come to me,
And teach me how to give.
Come in, Lord Jesus!
Come to me,
And teach me how to serve.
Come in, Lord Jesus!
Come to me,
And teach me how to live.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously (Matthew 6:33; NLT).
References
Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation” (Luke 11:2-4; NLT).
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 (Luke 6:38; NLT).
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).
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God (Matthew 3:8; NLT).
God’s way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31; NLT).
You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate… The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14; NLT).
Enter through the narrow gate;
Enter through your darkness.
Enter through your suffering:
For then you’ll find God’s way.
Follow Christ, who walks here, too;
Follow his example.
Follow in his steps each day:
For then you’ll learn God’s truth.
Love and serve all those you meet;
Love and serve each stranger.
Love and serve your enemies:
For then you’ll see God’s light.
Cling to Christ, whatever comes,
Praying in his Spirit.
God is in your suffering:
So seek God in your plight.
In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).
References
Keep on seeking and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).
I am the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6; NLT).
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me (Mark 8:34; NLT).
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19; NIV).