RABBONI...which is to say, Master

“Biblical faith is not about living a moral life. That’s religion. Biblical faith is not about living the “good life.” That’s capitalism. Biblical faith is about living the GodLife. An abundant life with the living God is living in a Godlife relationship” (“Out of the Question…Into the Mystery”, by Leonard Sweet.)

The GodLife Sweet speaks of is about relationship – a relationship with God. The Bible is filled with stories of people who lived in laid bare relationships with the Creator of the universe. Would you dare think of laughing at something that God said? Abraham and Sarah did. Would you dare think of trying to change the mind of God? Abraham did. Would you in your right mind ever think of physically fighting with God? Jacob did. Could you in you wildest imaginations ever think you could win an argument with God? Moses did.

Take time and read through the Psalms and listen to the laid bare, honest, heart felt expressions of openness that comes from one who is described as a man after God’s own heart.

As you read thorough the Gospels, listen not only to the conversations between Jesus and the disciples, but hear also the relationship! Do you hear the relationship that had been developed over those years spent in the presences of the Master?

Listen to the words of the beloved Apostle Paul, one described as “untimely born”, one who never physically walked with Jesus in the days of His flesh, but one who knew Him intimately through relationship.

Can we develop a relationship with the God of Heaven like those we read in scripture? Yes, a thousand times yes, but not the way we have traditional sought it. “The power of living is incarnational and relational. God is present with us, which means that holiness itself is relational. Holiness doesn’t lead to the dogged mastery of rules, principles, or practices, but to a dynamic, life-giving communion with God. Seek holiness and you seek a relationship with the God who accomplishes holiness in you….God is present, and God is relational. This means that truth is relational, found in the give-and-take of honest engagement with God. Faith and obedience are not reflex actions, or blind and mindless conformity to rules and regulations. Faith and obedience are instead played out in a life in full pursuit of God, knowing that at the same time we are being fully pursued by God. Faith and obedience are found in listening to God, questioning God, being challenged by God and challenging God.” (“Out of the Question…Into the Mystery”, by Leonard Sweet.)

This is what being created in the image of God is all about. We were created FOR relationship.