Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

According to classical Christian teaching, at the very source of reality, we find a perfect and eternal relationship of self-giving love. A divine community (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in an infinite, mutual, self-giving relationship—perfectly and equally sharing being and joy before all time. One God in three self-giving Persons, and three self-giving Person in One God. This is the very Fountain of all Love!

It was out of the overflow of this fountain, God made the world. And so, all creation is a theater of God’s glorious love. This is especially true with human beings, for we alone are made in the very image of this love.

In the light of this truth, we see more clearly the biblical concept of sin. In making us in His image, God meant for us to find our life in His self-giving Love. However, sin broke that relationship. Sin a dis-ease, a dis-harmony with the source of love. A cosmic relational breach with devastating consequences!

We have no life apart from the Triune love of God, for we were made from it and for it. God designed us to feast on His self-giving love and reflect it in our relationships with others. Indeed, to be a “person”, like God, is to live in communion with God and others. And so, any “person”, any “self”, that does not exist to serve and give themselves away for others is a corruption of what it means to even be a “person”—indeed, what it means to be made in the image of God.

And that’s something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’”

~ Matthew 11:25-30 (ESV)