Jesus and Reality Or Jesus is Reality

"Reality is the conjectured state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. In a wider definition, reality includes everything that is and has been, whether or not it is observable or comprehensible. A still more broad definition includes everything that has existed, exists, or will exist."

One of the most fascinating things about Jesus is how He made Himself the subject of His own teaching.  Unlike all other religious leaders who teach about reality and call people to connect correctly to that reality, Jesus made Himself the reality to which everyone must connect.

If Jesus had simply explained reality like other teachers He never would have generated such hatred toward Himself or such love toward Himself.  By making Himself reality Jesus invites us to live a Person as reality not a system of reality.

True Christianity is not teaching Jesus is reality.  True Christianity is   teaching Jesus is reality and living Him as our reality.  “Without Me you can do nothing…”John 15:5 “For to me to live is Christ.” Phil. 1:21

Listen to the words of Paul in Collossians 1:15-20 and Jesus is reality will be clear.

Collosians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,  and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Do you live Jesus as reality?

 

Bud McCord

Abide International

Spirituality and Attention

“Whatever gets your attention gets you.” Mike Wells

It takes some time for us to verify if a great saying is actually true.  Just because something sounds true does not mean it will stand the test of time and practice in our lives.

After many years of testing Mike Well’s statement about attention I can confidently say this saying is true and worthy of trust.

Each day I live the challenge to stay focused on the perfection of Jesus instead of dividing my attention with the distractions and distortions of the world that surrounds me.  For me, the question of who gets my attention each day has become the singular question that determines the quality of my daily life and love.

I have come to believe that staying focused on Jesus is the very essence of what some call spiritual warfare.  When I start my day focused on and inspired by Jesus I defeat the power of lack that fills and frustrates the world around me and I begin to deliver the love of Jesus that abides abundantly in me.  Focusing on Jesus in me as my source of life and love keeps me receptive to His perfection and something of His life and love can flow from my life day by day.

Spirituality, attention and love are forever linked.  Anyone who wants to move beyond imitating Jesus sporadically toward living Jesus continuously will need to live with their attention on Jesus moment by moment.  When at war one’s attention must stay on what wins the war.

Jesus wins the war in us and through us moment by moment if we pay attention to Him.  Abide in Jesus!

 

Bud McCord

Abide International