I am exploring a new thesis.
Simply stated—not so simply done—my thesis is as follows:
If we would take our marching orders from Jesus in the gospels and look at the letters as inspired accounts of the first century church living that mandate, unity would prevail in Christ church on earth.
Obviously, my influence on how others think is limited. I can only explore this thesis as it relates to me.
As one who decided, “I’m in,” I commit my life to Jesus and determine to follow Him. Empowered by the Spirit, my aim becomes to align my life to His teachings, His way of treating others, and His way of honoring God. There is enough information in the gospels that I can follow the example of believers in Acts 2, thus belonging to His Church.
Like Christians of the first century, what do I do with the New Testament Letters?
Shouldn’t I use them to assist my focus on Jesus?
As an example, I look to Paul’s letter written to the church in Christ at Colosse and can be reminded that God and Christ are one. I see again, it is through Jesus I can be holy and perfect before God.
Since I was buried with Jesus in baptism, and “raised with Him through my faith in the power of God,” I am no longer bound by man’s religious rules.
Should I step back into following the rules I will “have lost connection with the head.” I become a glob, not a member of the living body of Jesus.
Like the believers in Colosse, I am to live as one who belongs to Jesus. I learn from Paul’s instruction to this first century church how to be like Jesus in my family.
My point is that Paul’s letter to this church focuses on Jesus.
The letters show me examples of those who follow in the steps of Jesus and the demise of those who chart their own course.
When I read the letters as a reminder of God’s cosmic act in giving Jesus to save me—and the world—I have less of a tendency to create rules from the letters. Rules only take my focus from Jesus and place it on my ability—or lack thereof—to perform.
It seems to me that by following the life of Jesus from the gospels I will be free to help others instead of judge them.
Stay Tuned. – Gary Sorrells
God Reflection 
Wonderful post Gary. I had hoped for a snippet of a comment, but I couldn’t pare this down any further, so my apologies to taking up too much of the commenting floor, so to speak.
I was just reflecting this morning how clear the words of Scripture are on what it is to follow Christ, yet how difficult it is to imitate Him and follow what He’s asked. I have found myself saying from time to time after reading something plain and clear, “This is easy,” but to do it I must confess, “This is hard.” I also I must confess that when I am tempted to say, “This is complicated,” I am being dishonest towards Scripture. It is I that am complex. Though I may do many wonderful and varied things, it is sin that complicates matters.
I have always found that when I step out in faith to follow Christ as a child trustingly follows their parents, I may stumble with even the best intentions. But to stay down, to pout, to be prideful simply complicates learning to walk. The solution is to get up. The knowledge of getting up is clear and easily understood, but for a child learning to walk, getting up can be painful. So is the life of the Christian. Working out the body properly is painful to the body. Working out the spiritual truths that go in correctly is painful if the outcome is to match.
But thanks being to Christ, He resisted sin to the point of shedding His innocent blood according to the Hebrew writer, that I too can grab onto Christ’s strength when mine fails. It helps me resist charting my own course when it’s tempting, for going my way only complicates things. It is I who project that attitude onto Scripture calling it complicated. But to obey Christ out of love because He first had the right attitude and did life correctly, well, this hurts spiritually, but only for a moment. Spiritual training strengthens my soul, spiritually making more like my leader, Jesus…just Jesus and no one else, no other rule, nothing else.
So if Christ is to live in me at His best, it is I who must keep my house swept clean and filled with His Love (Matthew) and owe no man anything except to love them because in so doing, I am fulfilling the law as the letter to the church in Rome teaches (chapter 13, verse 6).
Thanks for the opportunity to share. Be blessed!
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