Christ Crucified Fellowship 3.69

There is an element in “knowing” that we often neglect - the element of intimacy. Of course, knowing does mean an intellectual assent but as Genesis 4:1, and Hosea 6:1-3 express, knowing is as much an emotionally and spiritual intimacy as it is intellectual one. In fact, it involves the full and whole hearted intimacy of our minds, emotions, desires and physical efforts. Knowing Jesus and and his gospel, in this way, is exactly what John 17:3,4 call us to. This is what Jesus refers to when he summarizes all Old Testament commands with two: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

When a good thing is a good thing, we show that it's a good thing in our lives when we enjoy it. In speaking of the good news of our salvation through Jesus, Paul challenges us in Titus 3:8 to “insists on these things” (the gospel - salvation in Jesus). The he goes on to tell us later that in light of the good news we should we should “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” Jesus has and continues to lavish his love, compassion and mercy on all of mankind. As a church community, we want to live genuine and sincere lives marked by service and sacrifice toward each other and all in our immediate and global context.

Before bringing his earthly ministry to a close, Jesus commissioned those that had given themselves to following him. He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This final commissioning of Jesus is central to the Christian life, to CCF life. Notice two things: One, Jesusʼ main concern is that all people be introduced to this gospel message. That all nations hear and have the opportunity to respond to this salvation message. Second, he does not call us to do this on our own, rather he says “behold, I am with you always.” Jesus calls all of his devout followers to be on mission with him, not only for him.