John 1 12 Romans 3 23 Romans 5

John 1: 12, Romans 3: 23, Romans 5: 8, Romans 8: 16, Romans 10: 9 -10, Eph. 2: 8 -9, Saved by Grace

Genesis 2: 8, Joshua 24: 13, Matt. 26: 36, Rev. 22: 2 b Garden of Relationship

To fully enjoy the beauty and produce of this garden does require effort. However, not effort to create something new, it is already perfect. Nor effort in tending it to receive its rewards, they’re already ours. Nor does it take effort to get closer to God, we can’t get any closer. The effort needed is simply to journey through and gaze upon its beauty. To pluck its fruit and receive its deep fulfilment and transformation power.

Contentment Christianity

Contentment Christianity disguises itself as a humble and mature approach to a relationship with God. But it’s actually quite selfish, with a very small view of God. The lack of expectation on God is an excuse to continue to have little expectation of themselves. In the end, those in this system often live a life of victimhood, apathy and self-dependence.

Matt. 7: 7 -12, John 14: 12 -14 Full Access to the Garden

We have full access to the garden of relationship with God. We are not limited to only the rose garden or the tulip fields. We don’t deserve any of it, but once we have it, we have it all. We don’t have to settle for just some of its blessings. He allows us access to everything he has and desires us to take it all in.

God calls us to not be content with just one of God’s blessings, but to spend our lives seeking to enjoy all of what God has given us. We are to wonder through the garden picking its fruit at just the right time, with deep love and appreciation for every gift.

Burden Christianity

Burden Christianity puts us in charge of knowing all the blessings of God and using them whenever they are needed. In hopes of not disturbing God, we take the responsibility of meeting our own needs. Ultimately, this leads to nothing more than self-worship or, if we are not successful, self-condemnation. This narcissistic perspective of our relationship with God often leads to burnout, apathy and despair.

Romans 8: 14 -17, Rev. 19: 7, Rev. 21: 2 Ownership of the Garden

We are not just visitors to the garden. We are not workers in the garden. We are joint-owners of the garden. It is our garden and we have all eternity to enjoy all it has to offer.

God calls us to trust that our loving husband knows our needs and will provide for those needs when the time is right. We’re invited to take a long-term perspective of the Christian journey and to rest in the fact that we are and always will be in a perfect relationship with God.

Linear Christianity

Linear Christianity often sees communion with God as not a realistic expectation for today. So, the goal is simply to get “closer” to him. How to get close to God is defined differently in each program and is mostly based on exterior actions and experiences. Those who achieve the greatest success are usually the driven, the self-disciplined, and the healthy. Ultimately this perspective creates a class system resulting in pride for the successful and shame for those who fail.

John 17: 21, Romans 8: 9, Galatians 2: 20 Journey in the Garden

We are on a journey, but it is not a journey to a closer relationship with God. It is a journey to more fully enjoy the relationship we already have. It’s a journey that no human, no matter how great, can lead us in. The only path to follow, is the one Jesus leads us to.

When we all follow Jesus on our own unique path, there is no longer anyway to tell who’s further ahead or behind. We are all equal in our closeness to God and equally blessed in our journey. In this garden, we all have a story to share or an experience of blessings received. We all have some great testimony of God’s accomplishment in our life worthy of celebrating.

John 10: 1 -5 Enjoying the Fullness of God

The Christian life is not about getting what we don’t have. It’s not about living in such a way as to receive a blessing from God. It’s not about getting closer to God. It’s not about disciplining ourselves or living more righteously. It’s not about missions or service or caring for the needy. No, The Christian life is about daily walking with Jesus as he leads us to experience and enjoy the fullness of what we already have in a relationship with God.