A 3rd Century BC adage is ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’. That means beauty is subjective, not objective (not universally agreed upon). While it names beauty, it also can be said of human truth, justice, ethics, faith or values. This is why there is such controversy over the accuracy of the interpretation of the United States Constitution and the Cancel Culture that has been stirring up such conflict. That conflict is minimized if truth had to be consistent with reality 1000 years later. All too much of what people consider truth today is nothing more than ideas birthed through the eyes of popular notions of the day. The cultural philosophies of today are not static, they will evolve as soon as the eyes of the next generations consider them.
In that light, Jesus gave the great commandment you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:30, NLT2), which God also gave Moses for those in his day (Deut. 6:5). So, what did Jesus, or Moses, mean when they said those words? Was this command a threat (or else), an ideal (good thought but optional) or an invitation (into the best life possible)? In what ways might we read those words? Through the lens of today’s culture or the lens of a truth that still is an absolute, never-changing truth today? How you and I interpret those words today reveals to us, and all those around us, the depth of respect we have for God. If in practice, God has become a daddy or acquaintance, our respect for Him is more like that of a typical teenager’s respect for his parents. If we have an awe and deep respect for whatever He says, we will respond to them with the deepest of devotion and loving obedience. Hopefully, we would respond in a manner similar to what Jesus intended when He said to the church in Laodicea, 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, NLT2). That was a very generous invitation, not a threat.
He also explained, I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of (John 10:10b, MSG). If you deeply respect Him and His words, and therefore are investing as deeply as you possible into a closer relationship with Him, you will experience as the Psalmist was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write, the way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day (Proverbs 4:18, NLT2). What a fantastic invitation! I often wonder how many believers’ lives are becoming more gratifying, satisfying each day—though not noticed until they look back six months. Again, so much depends on the progress you are expecting—if it is spiritual life change or material life change.
I’ve been very intrigued by the illumination of His invitation that Paul paints for us. After referencing how believers in the church are to be building each other up in their faith, he goes on to give us a glimpse into an indescribable life. This (continual growth progression) will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13, NLT2). Incredible! He also wrote for those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29, ESV). If we take God and His word seriously, His apprentices, you and I can and will delightfully become more and more like Jesus! It is my prayer that you don’t see God’s word as a threat to your comfort or pleasure, an ideal (good thought but optional), but rather an invitation into a continued journey into a progressively brighter life in Him. Yes, it will have it bumps, but the Spirit uses bumps to brighten your inner being—so long as you don’t resist His loving work.