Picture this: The stage is set; the game is on! You are more than a mere spectator who is detached from the action and watching from the seeming safety of the grand-stands. You are standing on the field; in the readied position, opposite each other in the arena like two athletes of exactly the same stature. The contest is to display Christ in you, by way of a “romantic faith”, not by keeping the games rules. The prize is to “win” as many as possible to Him: bringing them to him as crowns for His Glory!
The entire contest of life “in Christ” is to be played out spontaneously. Rules are only there to give definition to the field of play. The moment we exchange spontaneity with rules, you’ve lost the edge of romance. Romantic faith draws those in your sphere of influence into the arena of the Message. Through the sublime display of “romance” in your faith many around you are awakened to the intrigue that is “in Christ”.
Further, the revelation of Christ in us gives identity to the individual beyond anything anyone could ever be on their own merits. Even their blood-line standings as a Greek or a Jew, American or African, foreigner or famous, male or female, King or pawn falls woefully short. Throughout history everyone has been defined by Christ; everyone is represented in Christ, whether they knew it or not.
“This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you; therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of the message.” Colossians 1: 26-27, The Message.
“Romance” is the determining factor in the pursued heart being won by the pursuer. The same is true with the Gospel. If mere quality decisions could rescue man, the “law” or “rules” would have been enough. Willpower and Good intentions cannot save man.
The revelation of what happened to us in Christ’s death (the Godly dying for the ungodly—the Father giving His only begotten Son in exchange for a fallen world) is what brings faith into romance and liberates us from within. “Romantic faith” is not a decision we make to give God a chance, it is realizing and embracing our inclusion in what happened on the cross and in the Resurrection of Christ!
The whole point of the contest of life is for everyone's heart to be awakened to their own true Identity in Christ. Once awakened, they step into the pace that love (value) sets. This will launch you into a life of discovering and knowing the wealth previously hidden within the mystery of God. He fathered us and revealed us again in Christ.
In seeing Him not just recorded in history but revealed in us, we discover the face of our birth as in a mirror! From now on everyone is defined by Christ; everyone is represented in Christ. You and I are products of God’s love. He restored us to His original thought to belong to Him exclusively. It is like changing garments; now that you have gotten rid of the old, clothe yourselves with His inner compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, showing forth the “romance” of your faith. Just like You were previously known by the garments you wore, these qualities now define you and call others around you into this “romantic faith”.
“I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery!” Colossians 2: 2-3, The Message.
Be nurtured in the grip of “romantic faith”, Ron Ross
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