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The translation The Message gives a marvelous reading of John 1.16-18 ...
We all live off his generous bounty,
gift after gift after gift.
We got the basics from Moses,
and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
This endless knowing and understanding—
all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
No one has ever seen God,
not so much as a glimpse.
This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
who exists at the very heart of the Father,
has made him plain as day.
Truth is this "God-Expression." This is Jesus. Affirmation of this is the central tenet of the Christian faith and sets this faith apart from all others.
Through my journey of faith transformation, Jesus has been the one constant factor. Even when I was hanging over the abyss of agnosticism, my faith was in a Person, Truth itself.
There are many things I do not know and do not have to know. My relationship with Christ is sufficient Truth to keep me both affirming truth and holding uncertainty in one embrace of faith. This faith is not a faith, the faith, but a personal relationship with Grace and Truth, the One who made God known as "plain as day."
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1) What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
2) What is meant by saying that faith is mainly about a Person, not the contents of a faith?
3) Does having a personal relationship with Jesus mean what we believe is not important? Explain.
4) What are some beliefs you hold that you conclude are essential to your Christian faith? What are some beliefs you maintain but conclude are not vital to your Christian faith?
5) Have you gone through a process of the transformation of your faith? If yes, what was that like for you?
6) Have you ever helped someone who was struggling with his or her faith? If yes, share what that was like for you.
7) Has a particular person - like a pastor or priest, an author, a theologian, a parent, a spouse, ... - been most instrumental in the maturing of your faith? Explain.
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*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives in Punta Gorda, FL, and Clearwater, FL, with his wife, step-son, and two beloved dogs. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry focused on Christians living as spiritual disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a vowed, contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with God-in-Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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