His Inner Circle

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. — 1 Samuel 16:7b

What does the spiritual person look like? Many inside the Church, and outside it, idealize the quiet, introspective, contemplative person. But Jesus' inner circle is a profile in passion, zeal, and assertiveness. Peter was brash, impulsive, impetuous. James and John were called the "Sons of Thunder." Outgoing and committed to their Master. Jesus sees differently than we do.

Trained by Christ

If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. ⏤ John 14:7

Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. ⏤ John 5:19

When we think of being trained by Christ, we may go to the Sermon on the Mount, the Great Commandment, and the Great Commission. But maybe there's something even more fundamental. Could we let Jesus train us in our knowing?

Promising Culture

I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. — Romans 15:14

No culture is perfect, but here, Paul calls out some things that work together for health. First, goodness. In the world, good can be whatever people decide is good. Paul is noticing a goodness that's shaped by God's goodness. The people know God and his ways. They ably articulate his ways and have an expectation of alignment. Finally, there's a 'one another' here. Instruction that's more peer-to-peer than teacher-student.