Sovereign Servant
"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." ⏤ Luke 22:7
We can scarcely imagine sovereignty apart from control. Words like dominion, majesty, and preeminence describe an exalted position. With that position comes authority. But how that authority is exercised depends on the kingdom. We have been invited to imagine what we scarcely can, then learn to live where awe and wonder arouse self-control and imitation of our King.
I Don't Trust Myself
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. — Col. 2:8
I enjoy philosophy (love of wisdom). As an engineer, I appreciate the value of systems and processes. But where is the wisdom rooted? How pure is the aim? It seems best to focus energy on knowing God. That's where eternal life is found, and God promises to give wisdom when we come to him and ask.
First Order
Love God. Love neighbor. God, with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. My neighbor, as myself. God's kingdom has an economy of love and trust. Love is the gift of self.
Love of God is primary in both the Old Covenant and the New. My gift of self to God looks like humility, surrender, and heart obedience. This sets the map for Jesus' close-second command, loving myself and my neighbor.
Flipping this order can lead to worldly, fleshly, ungodly concepts of love, expressed in legalism and license. Since God is love, genuine love cannot be un-God-like, un-Jesus-like.
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- poverty & compassion
- imagination & creativity
- technology & ai
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship