Who are you? When you meet people, is the first thing you ask them is how they earn a living? If you don’t volunteer that information to them they are likely to ask you the same thing. And so it is an accepted social construct to put forth an image of yourself in terms of your utility and economic productivity. There is status involved in outranking others, so these images are carefully cultivated and those who write them come to identify with them, but the essence of your being is more than this. Even in the realm of spiritual service I told my followers to rejoice not in this, that the demons were subject to them, but that their names were written in my Book of Live. Is this enough for you?

Have you noticed that some people say that I exist and live as if I didn’t and others deny me in their words but live as if my commandments are true? Do you expect atheists to live in total lawless wild abandon? Yet even among those who declare my name and devote themselves to my service there can be a subtle form of denial. For some of these live and work as though their service in my Kingdom is based on their own initiative and effort. It is one thing to pray ‘thy will be done’ and then go ahead with your own plans, and another thing to continue praying until you know my will is revealed to you, and obey it. 

I said unless a grain of wheat dies it abides alone, but if it dies it brings forth much fruit. I spoke of myself but I also spoke a universal truth that applies to every grain of wheat, and for the purpose of the illustration, to every person.  I expect my followers to put this into practice. Laying down your life and picking up your cross to follow me are reinforcement and expression of the same principle.  Paul lived it out when he said he died daily, and that death works in us, but life in you. Therefore it is always valid to ask your fellow believers how death is working in them that life may come forth. Would you be offended if someone asked you this? Would you have an answer?

Have you noticed that some theological questions result in an endless debate, which goes on for centuries without resolution? Does this disturb you? It helps to understand that there is a transcendent quality to your faith. I will reconcile all things, and there will be an answer for every question, but the answer may be above the plane in which the questions seem irreconcilable. Those things that transcend your current level of understanding are mysteries. Be content to live with them for now. It is better to carry the questions unanswered than to force your way into the wrong answer and fight with those who come to an opposing low level answer.