Here at the Joinery we tend to do more socializing and synthesizing than analyzing. You’re welcome to join in. And if you really want to get a feel of the place grab a mug of Bongo Java’s Mudd, tune in the jazz on 89.5 WMOT-FM, and get some fresh cut wood shavings on the floor.
You may have noticed a little Christian flavor to my posts. That’s because I am one. Recently I’ve done some further reading of Howard Yoder and Raymond Brown and have crafted a pledge that I want to say and renew every morning, but haven’t been that regular, yet.
Here it is:
After considering the gospel of Jesus, I accept Jesus, the lamb that was slain, as the king who rules as a servant. (Matt 28:18; Luke 22:24-27; John 13:13-17)
I choose now to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of the living God & as Lord of my life. I choose now to repent [1] for my sins, to exercise faith [2] in Jesus and to accept his forgiveness [3] for my sins.
•May I be found faithful as Jesus is faithful.
•Jesus was born, lived, taught, ate with tax collectors & prostitutes, healed lepers, the lame, & the blind, drove out demons, opposed the Jewish authorities, was crucified, died, was buried, was raised on the 3rd day, & ascended to the right hand of God, his Father in heaven.
•He told his disciples, “Take courage, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)
•I am now his disciple. I give my allegiance, I pledge my allegiance to Jesus the Christ. Jesus is Lord. (1 John 3:23). Jesus is my lord. I am under his authority. (Ps 23) I will be humble and obedient. By his grace & mercy I will learn and grow in diligence and discipline. I will obey his commands. My chief command is to love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, with all my strength and resources. And to love my neighbor as my self. (Matt 22:34-38; Mark 12:28-30; Luke 10:25-27) This I pledge to do.
•By obeying his commands I abide in Jesus & he abides in me. I know he abides in me by the Holy Spirit he has given me. (1 John 3:24)
•As I continue the Holy Spirit will change me & I will grow in faith, hope & love & I will increase in showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control. (Gal 5:22)
•I walk in the light as he is in the light. Should I stumble, I will confess my sins and Jesus who is faithful and just will forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
•Thru the Holy Spirit I now can and do actively participate in Christ’s victory and in his reconciliation of the world. I will do my part.
Note
1. Repentance means changing my conduct, not only remorse or sorrow for sin; it is turning around my will to the place of obedience to the rule of Christ.
2. Faith is not only accepting that Jesus died because of my sins, but it is having union and communion with God in Christ.
3. Forgiveness removed the barrier to communion with God. The barrier was my sinful disobedience.
— Jack
