Character, Connections, Community and Causes.
Character. The point of a relationship with Jesus is to appreciate who we are in Him as far as the Father is concerned. Who we are is a matter of character. That’s birthed in belonging to the Father. That then influences our beliefs and behaviours. Those lead us to who we become as we are more like Jesus. And being more like Jesus reflects His character.
Connections. The character of Christ was always designed to be expressed in relationship. There are different types of relationships. Some are about having a presence. Others are based on the useful contacts that are made. Further still is how things go to how we engage with each other. Then there are the precious, rare expressions of the intimate, where interaction is based on a glorious, loving sharing of life in depth.
Community. These connections in one-to-one relationships form a broader set of relationships that reflect how God rules in all of life. The family extended and expanded is explored under the love of the heavenly Father. The intricacy and glory of the interconnected relationships display to the world and the heavens God’s extraordinary plan to see His wisdom, in its many-faceted expressions, bless lives, bless environments, and bless the Lord.
Causes. What matters to Jesus is about relationships and about what those relationships stand for. What are they here for? What does the Kingdom of God really mean? How are values of justice, righteousness, peace and holiness expressed and experienced at all levels of life? How does that shape our approach to work and money? How does it hint at what we can expect for eternity?
What matters to Jesus are Character, Connections, Community and Causes. These areas will be explored in forthcoming entries of the CLJD Weekly. The aim is to discern the heart of God in Scripture. See the heart of God by His Spirit as seen in expressions of the church. And see that worked out in our day-to-day lives now as we seek His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
Next Steps
Reflect: What do you think of when you consider the Character, Connection, Community and Causes of Christ?
Pray: Lord Jesus, I would be nothing without you, but with you I can be all you call me to be. Help me to discover more about what matters to you and how that’s lived out. Open my eyes to what you show me and open my heart to what you show me. Lead and guide me as you lead and guide us to work out what matters to you, for Your glory, Lord.
Act: Choose one of Character, Connections, Community and Cause. For the one you choose, write out four questions you would want answered about what God says about them. Then hold a conversation with a trusted friend to explore answers to these questions.
