Take On Jesus

to TAKE

• to admit, receive
• to receive what is offered
• not to refuse or reject
• to receive a person, give him access to one’s self,

¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, NASV 1995

John 1:12

οσοι δε ελαβον αυτον εδωκεν αυτοις εξουσιαν τεκνα θεου γενεσθαι τοις πιστευουσιν εις το ονομα αυτου

John 1:12 1550 Stephanus

Tozer, as told in the audiobook “Discipleship” aggressively objects to passive acceptance of Christ. It is an act of the will.

He explained the problem that existed in his day, early 1900’s, of the religious verses the truly saved…

It brings to mind Romans 10:

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9 NIV

believe in your heart* and confess with your mouth*.

It is rather a tangent way of showing it… but Ananias and Sophira, come to mind. They were judged by the Holy Spirit after they answered out loud in front of witnesses. Let me rephrase that, “…until they lied, out loud” in answer to a direct question. Acts 5:1-11

In Dostoevsky’s book, Crime and Punishment, it is not until Raskolnikov commits the crime that cannot be undone; murder, that his eyes are opened, and all of his justifications and rationales die, and truth remained.

Our lives in Christ must be OUT LOUD.

They are an act of the will.

Some try to make a case for all being saved thru Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, because he paid sin’s cost. But John 1:12 speaks against this. We must consciously accept, and receive – TAKE – his gift of salvation!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

Ephesians 2:8 NIV

Two other things are here, and that is God’s response to us.

Hebrews 11:6 says he rewards those who diligently seek him.

The second, hidden in plain sight, we see that God gave the right, “the power to become” one translation says, children of God. I wonder also at this moment that this verse speaks in terms of plural… “to all them that took…” community is seen there.

I think it’s significant! I am 4th of 5. I was born into a family, I came in and became part of.

Solo Christian… our relationship is one on one and with God, but part of our relationship with HIM is our relationship with his children, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

My brother Andrew is a good example of this, as well as our sister Diana, and brother Bruce. Each of us work at being in right relationship “in so far as it depends on me”

¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:18 NKJV

Bruce, when Andrew was as in crisis, took time, to tangibly Love his brother, Andrew.

And I cannot forget, though it comes to mind only for the sake of my point here, that at one point in time Bruce and I had a parting of our ways. God arranged restoration, I inadvertently came across him, and before I could excuse myself, Bruce reached out to me.

I found this in an archive of my conversation with Bruce over the past few years through fb messenger>

Laurence, I’m so glad to hear from you. I’ve been hoping that someday it would be possible to reconnect with you. I have so much to ask your forgiveness for. When we parted ways I was embarking on a very selfish time in my life, one that lasted for quite a few years. In the process I also alienated your brother Andrew, which I regret to this day. Everything changed in my life about 8 years ago when I met my wife, and the Holy Spirit started to transform me back into a servant of Christ. The process is still underway. I realize you may have no reason to believe that, But I hope you can, and that you can forgive me.

From Bruce Nov 17, 2013

I didn’t even know how to much I needed to hear such a word from anyone, until I found myself weeping as I read it. Restoration.

Andrew

…his journey back to full health is marked by his heart turning to once again tangibly love our brother Glenn. I believe he is capable like no other or simply loving others.

Diana

Her steadfast love of her brothers. ❤️

~

As I reflect on what I’ve written herein, I wonder at how much Andrew needed us, as God was restoring to himself his child, Andrew Brand.

I don’t believe in coincidences, but Andrew ended up in Maple Ridge for a time, miles away from me… but a few minutes away from Bruce. I didn’t even realize until I re-found Bruce’s message, that he regretted a falling out btwn he and Andrew.

There’s a raging wild fire from a single careless act… and there is restoration of the people of God that spreads from on unforeseen act to another… obedience !

Thank you Lord for these.