FACE-TO-FACE-NESS

“…we will be like him because we will see him just as he is.”
1 John 3:2 lks

Trajectory
a. The path of a projectile or other moving body through space.
b. A chosen or taken course

We have a trajectory. Our end is sure. That trajectory and that sure end should determine the details of our path. It is the ultimately worthy trajectory. The end is being face-to-face with Jesus and, in that face-to-face-ness, becoming, finally, like him: children of God. It is a glorious, powerful notion.

Why is it then that, so often, something else determines our path? Yes, terrain and environmental conditions require adjustments in the details of the path, but the end and the trajectory should remain the same.

Maybe we need to live intentionally back to front. Maybe we need to look to the end, see what is there, and start doing those things.

This passage plainly tells us the key thing that happens at the end: we see Jesus face-to-face. Aside from the necessary word (Jesus), there are two key terms: “we” and “face-to-face”. This thing we do called “Christianity” is not about you and me. It is always, always, always about “we”. The goal of this thing, the end that determines the trajectory that guides the path is the Son-likeness caused by the face-to-face-ness.

God, help me as a teacher and us as a church to remember by word and action that our end is being face-to-face with Jesus.

Tag(s): lectio

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“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/