Kevin—I agree with the perify-to-core explanation. Dallas Willard has several books that systematically go through Jesus’ teaching on this topic. Check his books out, if you are not familiar with them! I agree that immersion in God’s word keeps our pride and methods in check. I would add that not only are we “creatures in a creatio-in-process”, but in process creatures ourselves. It has been an eight year path of developing friendships with the South African Jewish and Israeli Jewish communities in my city. I have stepped out in faith to build bridges and watched my sphere of influence grow, but all of my attempts that included even an ounce of pride or my own strength have failed and/or set me back.
