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Many people report having less than a warm, close, intimate relationship with God. They are engaged in what I refer to as 'separation theology' when it comes to God: he is 'up there somewhere.' They do not fully engage, or even relate to the teaching of Jesus that we are ONE with God -- we are in unity and oneness with him.
THE NEW TESTAMENT: A LOVE LETTER
The whole New Testament gospel is a love letter from God, drawing us into a love relationship with him. God wants us consumed with knowing him, and loving him. Paul even says we're MARRIED to Jesus (Rom 7:4). Most of Christianity is focused on PLEASING God by means of PERFORMANCE.
Most of Christianity is not focused on loving God.
Being focused on pleasing God by means of performance keeps us self-focused, not God-focused. To be focused on my performance, my focus must be on ME. I refer to this as 'the kingdom of self.' Paul calls it self-righteousness. We keep so focused on doing things right, we often forget who we are in Jesus.
HUMAN DOINGS VS. HUMAN BEINGS
If we're human doings, we are frigid lovers!
The gospel says we are in an amazing relationship with God. But if we don't live in a gospel relationship with God, -- and instead live by rules, -- we miss it. Don't settle for living by rules, codes of ethics, and principles. Be focused on belief, not on behavior. Remember that correct belief usually leads to good behavior.
The gospel doesn't measure everything in light of what we do, or shouldn't do. "DO attend church, pray, read your Bible, and give lots of money." -- "DON'T lie, cuss, cheat, steal, commit adultery, kick the cat or be a brat."
The gospel is about God, about our belief in him, and about who we are in him. This is living in the Kingdom of God.
Non-gospel living is about us and our behavior -- about what we do and don't do, which is the kingdom of self. Again, Paul calls this self-righteousness which always destroys a love relationship with God.
LIVING GOSPEL TRUTH IS POWERFUL
Open your eyes to see a pivotal gospel truth: good behavior will never produce correct belief, but correct belief will eventually produce good behavior!
You can't live by both law and love simultaneously.
This is true in both a human marriage, and in a divine one. The more rules that exist in either, the less intimacy there is. A life of rules destroys intimacy in relationship with God, as well as with our spouse and others. Love creates both motivation and restraint (II Cor 5:14).
If we live by laws and rules, we become frigid lovers! Any PROGRAM will destroy the natural PROCESS of life and relationship!
DON'T BE A FRIGID LOVER
To avoid being a frigid lover with God: do not live by rules, principles, laws, codes, systems, or anything of the sort. Let your life become saturated with Father's presence: his love, grace, peace, joy, and imparted righteousness (II Cor 5:21).
Jesus says that what we receive is what we give.
Jesus refers to us as 'friends of God.' The term 'friend,' in divine vocabulary, includes thoughts of being like an intimate lover. The gospel is about living this type of life.
The more gospel that you experience in your life, the more of an exciting LOVER you will become -- toward God, as well as toward everyone else. At the same time, your BEHAVIOR will become better without you making any conscious effort. This is why the gospel is 'the process of God.'
