In Jesus' name

When I was a little girl, we always ended our prayers with the words, "...in Jesus' name.  Amen."  That phrase used to perplex me, but I always said it anyway, because the adults did and I thought it was good to do what they did.  They always seemed to know more - and do things better - than me.

Now that I've been an adult for awhile, I've noted that prayers don't always end that way.  A few years ago, someone explained to me that, as a Christian, everything you do and say should already be done and said in Jesus' name.  A Christian's life is supposed to be hidden in Jesus'; so, reciting that old familiar phrase is largely unnecessary, for when He becomes your Savior, He also becomes your Lord and Master.

The tenth verse of the first chapter of 1 Corinthians says, "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (emphasis mine), that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."  Because I am struggling to understand my role and responsibility in the lives of some of the people that I know, this verse - and others like it - is becoming quite meaningful to me.  There are a lot of people around me who claim to be Christian, but they don't all talk, believe, and think the way I do, and I struggle to understand why that is.  I am constantly wondering about all the implications to the question: Is the solution to disunity and division in my hands, or in the hands of others?

I believe that Paul's counsel to the Corinthians is the Spirit's counsel to believers; after all, when we serve the eternal God, it is reasonable to expect His instruction to be applicable for all time.  Paul's appeal, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was in done "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ".  I admit that, sometimes, when I talk with people, I do not do so with the thought that I am always an ambassador - a representative - of Christ.  When this thought is not in my mind, then it certainly won't be in my heart; when I choose not to think like Christ, I certainly won't love like Him.

I recently had a conversation with an old friend that disturbed me to the core of who I am.  I have spent days pondering the implications of our conversation - for her and for me.  She doesn't speak or act like a believer these days, but she still makes the claim that she is one.  "WHAT?!", you say, "HOW DARE YOU JUDGE HER!?"  (I only put that quote in here because I have heard it - or something like it - too many times from people when I make statements like the one before the quote, and so I believe it'll be on people's minds when they read what I am writing.)  The tragic reality is: she has let something come between us, and - as long as it remains - we must both keep it there to divide us; we are no longer "perfectly united in mind and thought" on the temporary and eternal issues that we face.

My friend does, says, and thinks things that I cannot agree to, or join in with her on.  She has declared herself "free" in a way that I cannot understand.  As a sinner, I was an enemy of God; when I became a follower of Christ, I agreed to His terms of surrender so that there could be peace between Him and me.  When I live as a repentant saved sinner, I know that He became first the author of my faith, and as we continue in our relationship, He will be the finisher of my faith.  I am ever aware that if I choose to live like a unashamed "repeat offender", there will be dire consequences (this is as true now as it ever has been or will be).  In the hopes of salvation, I hold fast to the doctrine of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus.  I believe that all Scriptures from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 are completely true, so all other academic, social, religious, etc. information - without exclusion or exception - should be compared to the Bible for verification and validation not the other way around.  I believe that every human life is created in the image of God for the glory of God, and the opposite (that God's life was given in the image of humanity for the glory of every human) is a horrific lie!  My friend's appeal in and to the world now is markedly different than it used to be and what/how mine still is; and because that is our way at this time, we cannot both - truthfully - be living "in the name of Jesus".  How can we both be ambassadors for Christ when what is true for me is not also true for her, and vice versa?  As long as this division in mind and thought continues, it is obvious that at least one of us is not living or loving according to the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

I suppose my struggle to understand how to love God and people as Jesus did may never cease!  I worry that I am terribly wrong in how I try to live and love.  Perhaps the sum of my actions and thoughts is the reality of who I really am without Him, but I still believe that if I claim to be a Christian, then whatever I do, say, and think "in the name of Jesus" is seen as a reflection of who He is.  Jesus' name is Holy to me, and so the things I do, say, and think should all be with that ever on my mind and in my heart.  I believe that if people claim to be Christian, we should live and love to justify the sinless ministry of Jesus and confirm His mastery over our lives; however, what I witness (even in my own life) is ministry which condemns people to be continuously mastered by sin.  When our love justifies selfish thoughts and subsequent behavior, I don't see how the struggle to overcome sin can ever be realized; the Gospel of Jesus is that sin can/should/will be overcome.

If it is true that we are to "pray without ceasing", and that prayer is how we communicate with God while here on earth, then I believe our final breath in this life is our final "Amen" to everything we ever prayed about.  Our lives and relationships with God and with each other will either be known as having been corrupted or perfected.  I desperately want to be known as a member of that purified Bride - the Body of Christ - to be now and forever a child of God; presently and eternally in His service useful for His glory!