Confession causes movement

NORSK
Peter’s journey up to Jerusalem began close to Caesarea Philippi. I will not spend time to reflect on why the start happened just there, but I do not think it was accidental. For although the geographical journey was necessary, it was Peters spiritual journey that took off from that place.

Peter had followed Jesus for some time. He was a faithful disciple, but had he grasped what the journey was all about? Only God knows.
Jesus had asked the disciples a couple of important questions:

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

And the disciples gave report on what people thought about Jesus.
I think there were at least two reasons why Jesus asked this question:

1. He wanted to know whether the disciples were aware of what the people around them had on their minds. I think he has the same concerns with regard to his disciples today too.
2. He wanted to know whether or not the disciples were affected by the public opinion about Jesus, or whether or not they were able to stand up for what they believed. I think he has the same concerns with regard to his disciples today too.

Because his next question was:

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (1)

Peter was the first to respond. Although I am aware that he was very impulsive and often acted before he thought, but he made a confession which had enormous consequences, and I do not think that it came easy. Firstly, it started off his own journey to Jerusalem, but it also seems as though he gave Jesus the signal: ‘Now you can start your journey too!’

I will return to Peter’s confession tomorrow, but today I declare that confession causes movement. If it does not create movement, there is a risk that profession only empty phrases.

Today 'manna'

Confession causes movement

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(1) The Bible passage:

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Matt 16:13-15

Accountability in everything received.

NORSK
The core theme in the letters to Timothy, is the stewardship of "The good deposit"- which is the gospel that all who believe have received and accepted.
 
A Danish proverb says:

What you are,
is God's gift to you
What you do with what you are,
is your gift to God!

Ever since I made the final decision to follow Jesus at the age of 14, I have also known that spreading the good news of the gospel, is part of the new life I have received. Paul reminded Timothy about this too:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

When I yesterday quoted Laura Petri’s interpretation of William Booth’s recipe of how to avoid quarrelling about words, the quote included this statement: “Partly, he did not want to have the main emphasis on doctrine, but on life”. This is the emphasis in Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. If a worker in God’s kingdom has something to be ashamed of, it becomes difficult to present the word of truth in the right way. Deed and creed must ‘walk’ hand in hand. That does not mean your life has to be perfect, but it must be lived under the grace, and the grace is part of God's gift.

The combination of living in God's gift to me, and the communication of the gospel with the light God has given me in and through his word, is my gift to God. This is what I and all believers are held accountable for.

'Manna' for today:

Deed and creed ‘walk’ hand in hand

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A Christmas Creed

There are many creeds. The most commonly used in evangelical churches is the "Apostles' Creed," but there are several others as well (1). In addition, we find traces of creeds in Paul's letters, and I have already mentioned one from his letter to Timothy. Today I have reached another one, and it fits in well on a Christmas Eve:

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
1 Tim 3:16

Today I rejoice in the great mystery from which true godliness springs: God became man! When I grab hold of the tiny bit I see, God grabs hold of me and I become part of the mystery.

‘Manna’ for today:

It is enough to grab hold of a tiny bit to grabbed hold of yourself

I wish you a blessed Christmas in God’s great mystery!

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(1) E.g. the Nicaean Creed and the Athanasian Creed