Arms and Knees

The author John Bevere shares that for the last 25-30 years we have been so wrapped up in who we are in Christ that we have neglected what we are to do in Christ. Are we as Christians too focused inward instead of also focusing outward? There should be a balance.

Do you know any Christians that are always at conferences and seminars wanting to learn, but would never be interested in witnessing to the poor and homeless, or going on a missions trip? It reminds me of an old Degarmo & Key song lyric from the 80s, "children around the world will starve while we sit in a seminar".

Conversely, do you know followers of Christ that are always going on trips, are all busy serving, that never have time for a daily quiet time, a real relationship with the Father. It almost as if they are unsure of the intimacy with the Lord.

Jesus gave the two greatest Commandments in Mark 12. The first in to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. It's up and down, a vertical relationship between us and the Lord. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. This is a horizontal relationship between us and our neighbors. Jesus lumps these two together.

Paul gives another insight when he talks about God's discipline in Hebrews 12. In verse 12 he says, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. With our arms we do God's work for others, for our neighbors. With our knees we enter an intimate relationship with our King.

Vertical, horizontal. In balance.