While we need to listen to what others might think, and take wisdom from wherever we find it, especially from friends and those in Jesus, we need to beware of thinking we have to fit into a jacket that really doesn't fit us.
This is a precarious balance to keep, because a critique or suggestion may sound like it is off, yet it may have something important to offer.
A blogging friend recently told me that I ought to quit reading so much of this and that, and concentrate on God's word and working that into my life. Ouch, of course! But I think they had a valid point, and one I've been working on anyhow, lately. That at least validated part of what is on my heart, and what I'm seeking to work better into my life.
At the same time I have to be who I am. I can't be like that person, or someone else. So that I gladly began to read and work through a most challenging book, part of the time last evening when my wife and I were playing Super Scrabble. A very fun evening, by the way.
While at the same time seeking to hold close to my heart how God seems to be moving me in my life, which includes slowing down, which I mentioned in a recent post.
I am thankful for my wife who lets me be myself and even blesses that. But she gets after me where I need it. But I want to hear others as well, from whom God may speak into my life.
What about you on this?
Showing posts with label holiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiness. Show all posts
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
engaged holiness
At the heart of engaged holiness is the Jesus Creed: that we're to love God with all our being and doing, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is the watchword for us as God's people in Jesus in this world.
What does engaged holiness look like? Really caring about what is going on with our spouses, and our children and their children- to begin with. But it goes out into our neighorhoods, caring about those around us. And our fellow workers, and brothers and sisters in Jesus. And for all people ultimately. Especially having regard for the poor and the oppressed, high on God's agenda as we see in Scripture. Loving truly with actions.
Instead of throwing up our arms in despair, it's finding out what we can do, then doing it. As we pray the prayer the Lord taught us to pray.
What would you like to add here?
What does engaged holiness look like? Really caring about what is going on with our spouses, and our children and their children- to begin with. But it goes out into our neighorhoods, caring about those around us. And our fellow workers, and brothers and sisters in Jesus. And for all people ultimately. Especially having regard for the poor and the oppressed, high on God's agenda as we see in Scripture. Loving truly with actions.
Instead of throwing up our arms in despair, it's finding out what we can do, then doing it. As we pray the prayer the Lord taught us to pray.
What would you like to add here?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
disengaged holiness
Holiness as often taught in Christian circles seems to be all about "me and God". To be fair one would have to examine all of the teachings a particular author or teacher has given. When we think of holiness we need to think of it always in terms of the larger context. Of what God is about, and doing in the world.
Abraham was called by God and blessed to be a blessing. We by faith are in Abraham's line, and so we've inherited both the promise and the responsibility that goes with it in this covenant.
Let us beware of any Chritian holiness teaching which so emphasizes the importance of our relationship with God (and that is vitally important) that it fails to take in the whole picture. It can easily, then, become a holiness that is disengaged and inactive in the world to whom and for whom Jesus came- and died. So that true holiness is about becoming what God in Jesus is calling us to become, and do, in Jesus' steps in this world. Touching with Jesus' holiness the unclean, so that in Jesus they can become clean.
What might you like to add to this?
Abraham was called by God and blessed to be a blessing. We by faith are in Abraham's line, and so we've inherited both the promise and the responsibility that goes with it in this covenant.
Let us beware of any Chritian holiness teaching which so emphasizes the importance of our relationship with God (and that is vitally important) that it fails to take in the whole picture. It can easily, then, become a holiness that is disengaged and inactive in the world to whom and for whom Jesus came- and died. So that true holiness is about becoming what God in Jesus is calling us to become, and do, in Jesus' steps in this world. Touching with Jesus' holiness the unclean, so that in Jesus they can become clean.
What might you like to add to this?
Friday, July 17, 2009
replacement
Sometimes we are taken up with something that might be harmful, or more likely for many of us is just not all that profitable. And we find ourselves wanting to get out of it, but it has become a habit, and even way of life nearly, with us. How do we get out of it?
One important way is replacement. We need to replace the one activity with another. Of course that should involve prayer to know what we should do.
This matter can come up in many ways, big and small. Just the same we need to better understand from God what we should do, and what is not really good for us to do, knowing where to draw the lines. Otherwise quite subtly the matter can become a sin issue to us, and can involve sin.
Part of what got David in trouble when he should have been doing, I would think, what kings did.
Anyone have anything you'd like to add to this?
One important way is replacement. We need to replace the one activity with another. Of course that should involve prayer to know what we should do.
This matter can come up in many ways, big and small. Just the same we need to better understand from God what we should do, and what is not really good for us to do, knowing where to draw the lines. Otherwise quite subtly the matter can become a sin issue to us, and can involve sin.
Part of what got David in trouble when he should have been doing, I would think, what kings did.
Anyone have anything you'd like to add to this?
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
are we ever worthy?
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
Revelation 3
The short and ultimate answer to that is, "No." Christ alone as the Lamb slain is worthy (Revelation 5). No human being except Christ (who is the God-Human) is ever worthy in themselves. We are not.
But God through Christ gives us a new standing in grace through faith because of Christ and his work for us in his death (Romans 3). And while we have no condemnation because of Christ and his death (Romans 8:34), this no condemnation in this life is also tied to the work of the Spirit, and is contingent on us by the Spirit putting to death the (mis)deeds of the body. Romans 8:1-17 makes it clear that what we do does matter.
I am not condemned before God because of Christ, and through faith. But I will live in at least a sense of condemnation if I am not dealing with sin and endeavoring to walk in the light.
So those people in Sardis were worthy in status and standing because of Christ's worthiness. But through Christ, the Spirit does a work to make them, and us in Jesus, not only worthy in our standing with an imputed (declared) righteousness, but beginning to partake of worthiness also in their lives with an imparted righteousness through the Spirit. It's not I, but Christ in us by the Spirit who makes the difference, but it's a life we have to live out.
So I take it that God in his grace calls these believers "worthy," who have not soiled themselves with the world (see the entire book of James on what that means). Not because they are perfect, but because they are being perfected through Christ by the Spirit in this life.
So Jesus alone is worthy, but in grace God calls those who believe and follow Jesus in this life, "worthy." And when God speaks this indeed begins to be true, but true only in Jesus, yet true not only in our standing before God, but also in our lives even in this world.
Does this make sense of Scripture, or what thought would you like to share here?
Friday, May 29, 2009
growing slow
In their book, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg make the excellent point that while Jesus did miracles, he did not make his disciples instantly holy. Instead he let them walk through the long and painful process (painful to him at times, as well) of spiritual growth in Christian formation- or becoming like him. Peter did not become a "saint" overnight.
They make the point that God may have chosen to work this way to help us grow in our sense of dependence and desire to be close to him.
This is quite encouraging. I have looked over my life many times over the years, and have been more than discouraged, practically in despair. But God in his grace in Jesus by the Spirit ("Amazing Grace") has kept me going and growing, now over thirty-five years in Jesus.
It should help us in looking at each other. We can lose patience with someone, but that fails to take into account God's longsuffering and patience, and faithfulness which is quite evident, when we think about it, in our own lives.
Wonderful. Mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord!
What would you like to add to this?
They make the point that God may have chosen to work this way to help us grow in our sense of dependence and desire to be close to him.
This is quite encouraging. I have looked over my life many times over the years, and have been more than discouraged, practically in despair. But God in his grace in Jesus by the Spirit ("Amazing Grace") has kept me going and growing, now over thirty-five years in Jesus.
It should help us in looking at each other. We can lose patience with someone, but that fails to take into account God's longsuffering and patience, and faithfulness which is quite evident, when we think about it, in our own lives.
Wonderful. Mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord!
What would you like to add to this?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
God's judgment
Our culture does not readily receive or appreciate God's judgment as given to us in Scripture. In other places on earth where the wicked are running rampant, the message of judgment is welcomed, and rightfully so. Just finished the last book of the Bible, Revelation. It resounds with final judgments on the earth, before the consummation when in Jesus heaven and earth become one in the new creation.
There is no need to see God's coming judgment as threatening. It is meant to be not only destructive of evil, but constructive by grace in all places God's grace in Jesus are touching. So when Jesus returns we can welcome that, knowing that in our case the judgment will be constructive and for our good. This is the question for us all, "Are we living in the grace of God available to us in Jesus?"
What is your first response when you hear or see the words, "God's judgment"? What does it conjure up in your mind? Is it unsettling, settling, or maybe some of both? For me it's some of both. Though Jesus took my judgment by his death on the cross, so that I need not fear eternal condemnation for my sins, yet I still will be judged by a loving yet devastatingly piercing, God of light. The fear of the Lord doesn't just begin at salvation, but continues on throughout all of life. Along with a growing love of God, should be a growing awe and reverence and yes, even fear. A fear not in the sense of doubting God's love for us in Jesus. But a fear born of appreciation in beginning to understand who this God is, that God is holy, as well as love. God essentially is love, but it's a holy love, a love to be understood in terms of God's holiness.
Why does our culture have such a hard time with God's judgment? I think there are a number of factors involved in this. How can we as God's people hinder or help others in regard to this?
What would you like to share in reference to God's judgment?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
truth a part of us
In Scripture truth is both said to necessarily dwell in us in Jesus, and we in the truth (as found in Scripture and in Jesus). Truth must become nothing less than a part of us.
Head knowledge can be both underrated and overrated. It's important that we keep working at loving God with all our minds, along with all the rest of us. But head knowledge alone is not enough. We must work the truth of God in Jesus into our lives. We must seek to live out the truth as it is in Jesus. Both individually in our private and public lives, and together with other people in Jesus in this world.
Christians are notorious for professing truth yet not living it out well. Hypocrisy is the word here. This is why we're to keep working at getting rid of all deceit in our lives. The truth of God in Jesus we find throughout Scripture can help expose us so that we can deal with the lies in our life. If my heart is moved in a certain direction away from God's will then I must repent and believe in God's deliverance for me in Jesus. It's important to see not only the truth exposing us, but the grace of God in Jesus bringing forgiveness, cleansing and new life. Grace and truth together in Jesus is what can change us. Only by grace can truth become a part of us.
Of course this is ongoing. We don't arrive in this life, and we do need both private and corporate confession of our sins.
Sometimes I grow weary of what I know is wrong inside of me. I know that my heart or my life is not measuring up with the truth revealed in Scripture. Sometimes I can feel as hopeless as humankind in Adam, rhetorically depicted in Romans 7. But I must not give in to that. We're not in Adam, but in Christ. It's a matter of life and nothing directly to do with how we're feeling or not feeling. And it's available to us through God's grace for us in Jesus. And it takes time; this is ongoing.
What might you like to add to my meandering thoughts on this, here?
Head knowledge can be both underrated and overrated. It's important that we keep working at loving God with all our minds, along with all the rest of us. But head knowledge alone is not enough. We must work the truth of God in Jesus into our lives. We must seek to live out the truth as it is in Jesus. Both individually in our private and public lives, and together with other people in Jesus in this world.
Christians are notorious for professing truth yet not living it out well. Hypocrisy is the word here. This is why we're to keep working at getting rid of all deceit in our lives. The truth of God in Jesus we find throughout Scripture can help expose us so that we can deal with the lies in our life. If my heart is moved in a certain direction away from God's will then I must repent and believe in God's deliverance for me in Jesus. It's important to see not only the truth exposing us, but the grace of God in Jesus bringing forgiveness, cleansing and new life. Grace and truth together in Jesus is what can change us. Only by grace can truth become a part of us.
Of course this is ongoing. We don't arrive in this life, and we do need both private and corporate confession of our sins.
Sometimes I grow weary of what I know is wrong inside of me. I know that my heart or my life is not measuring up with the truth revealed in Scripture. Sometimes I can feel as hopeless as humankind in Adam, rhetorically depicted in Romans 7. But I must not give in to that. We're not in Adam, but in Christ. It's a matter of life and nothing directly to do with how we're feeling or not feeling. And it's available to us through God's grace for us in Jesus. And it takes time; this is ongoing.
What might you like to add to my meandering thoughts on this, here?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
"Howe's Cave - baptism" from L.L. Barkat
Continuing with L.L. on her journey in Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places we arrive to Howe's Cave with her grandmother, as she gets a feel for a darkness that is heavy and unpleasant in contrast to the sunlight that she loves. L.L. likens water baptism to having that element of darkness and with it a sense of dread: "a silent world of stalactite and stalagmite - forbidding swords of some dragon's lair that hang and rise." (p. 47)
L.L. was baptized as a baby in her mother's arms, and then later baptized as a teenager in the evangelical church they were attending. Neither meant anything to her in terms of what baptism meant to the early church, with those who submitted themselves to this ancient rite, beginning with John the Baptizer's ministry- from what we read in Scripture and know from Jewish tradition.
Water symbolizes or brings with it life and chaos, fear and death in Scripture. In the rite of baptism we have a symbol and reenactment of what happens to the believer through Jesus' descent into death and ascent into life by the resurrection. Someday to be completely and perfectly fulfilled, this begins in our lives even now in Jesus by faith. It is meant to be a marker for us, a reminder, indeed an enactment that we have crossed over from death to life, from the wilderness wandering to the promised land.
Baptism to the early Christians and tied to the Jewish rite of mikvah, meant a completely new life for the convert to Judaism, and it meant that one was marked for life, like dyed cloth through Jesus' death as "a worm crushed for crimson dye." (p 51)
Wouldn't it be nice if after our water baptism expressive of faith in Jesus and new life in him out of death, we would always live up to that and our new identity in him! In Jesus our lives are changed, but more like Jacob who wrestled with God. We still struggle and experience setback as if to bring us to that place which baptism so vividly pictures. Descent into death as we despair of ourselves, and ascent into life as we truly look to God and experience more of the resurrection life in Jesus. So that baptism is a picture not only of our entrance into the Christian life, but reminds us of what we're being saved from- our old self and sin, and what we're saved to- our real identity and life in Jesus. Yet our lives in this reality are hit with "struggle and setback". We must press on in the meaning of our baptism, daily. And an important ongoing part of that is our struggle and setback as we continue to put to death what belongs to our old life in Adam, and put on what belongs to our new life in Jesus.
Read this chapter (and book!!!). L.L. gets her point across wonderfully well, and it's one to remember and ponder as we live during this time in which our salvation is yet to be made entirely complete.
What about you? What does baptism mean to you? And what does that mean for your life today?
L.L. was baptized as a baby in her mother's arms, and then later baptized as a teenager in the evangelical church they were attending. Neither meant anything to her in terms of what baptism meant to the early church, with those who submitted themselves to this ancient rite, beginning with John the Baptizer's ministry- from what we read in Scripture and know from Jewish tradition.
Water symbolizes or brings with it life and chaos, fear and death in Scripture. In the rite of baptism we have a symbol and reenactment of what happens to the believer through Jesus' descent into death and ascent into life by the resurrection. Someday to be completely and perfectly fulfilled, this begins in our lives even now in Jesus by faith. It is meant to be a marker for us, a reminder, indeed an enactment that we have crossed over from death to life, from the wilderness wandering to the promised land.
In light of everything that water meant to these ancients, descending into its depths during baptism is like opening a door - inviting curious onlookers to peer into the chaos, hear the beating of a dragon heart, lament how the soul seems crushed by weight of darkness. In the same instant it's an invitation to expectation. A rescue is being played out. A creation is being enacted. The one who descends celebrates ascension to a re-created life that teems with lilies and peaches, eagles and red-eyed tree frogs. (p. 50)Like L.L., I too have been baptized twice. The first time in my church as a teenager after I went forward in an evangelistic meeting mainly to satisfy my mother and relieve the pressure to make a commitment, wondering if it would make a difference in my life, which ultimately it did not. I can hardly remember it, just that it happened. Later, after truly committing my life to Christ I was immersed in a baptistery in a Baptist church that was borrowed by the church I attended in college. It surely meant more to me then. But not as much as it would mean to me now. Though I believe we can look back on our baptisms and more appreciate their meaning for us later. Like L.L. reminds us, we understand better the meaning of what we do, often after we do it than when we do it.
Baptism to the early Christians and tied to the Jewish rite of mikvah, meant a completely new life for the convert to Judaism, and it meant that one was marked for life, like dyed cloth through Jesus' death as "a worm crushed for crimson dye." (p 51)
Wouldn't it be nice if after our water baptism expressive of faith in Jesus and new life in him out of death, we would always live up to that and our new identity in him! In Jesus our lives are changed, but more like Jacob who wrestled with God. We still struggle and experience setback as if to bring us to that place which baptism so vividly pictures. Descent into death as we despair of ourselves, and ascent into life as we truly look to God and experience more of the resurrection life in Jesus. So that baptism is a picture not only of our entrance into the Christian life, but reminds us of what we're being saved from- our old self and sin, and what we're saved to- our real identity and life in Jesus. Yet our lives in this reality are hit with "struggle and setback". We must press on in the meaning of our baptism, daily. And an important ongoing part of that is our struggle and setback as we continue to put to death what belongs to our old life in Adam, and put on what belongs to our new life in Jesus.
Read this chapter (and book!!!). L.L. gets her point across wonderfully well, and it's one to remember and ponder as we live during this time in which our salvation is yet to be made entirely complete.
What about you? What does baptism mean to you? And what does that mean for your life today?
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
5. Sword in the Stone - resistance
Next week: Palisade Cliffs - doubt
Sunday, June 08, 2008
quote of the week
But Paul does not mean that believers are not expected, indeed required to go on and live holy lives. Christ's unblemished sacrifice is not a substitute for the believer's sacrifice of a holy life but a means by which the believer can be sanctified and so present himself as a living sacrifice. Only Christ's sacrifice atones for human sin, and so the believer's sacrifice is not an atoning sacrifice, but it does involve holiness. Paul does not affirm the notion of purely imputed righteousness. Right standing is a gift of grace, but righteousness as a moral condition is the work of the Holy Spirit within the believer. The righteousness of Christ enables him to be the perfect sacrifice and to offer right standing to all as a gift of pure grace, but the unblemished condition of the believer which is reviewed at judgment is not a legal fiction but the product of progressive sanctification in the actual life of the believer.
A footnote on Colossians 1:22: "21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."
Ben Witherington III from The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles, p. 140.
Monday, April 14, 2008
walking worthy of God
Again, in hearing God's word this morning, I ran across the truth that in Jesus believers can walk worthy of the Lord in this life. What does this mean? Certainly not like any of us will arrive in this life, and never sin.
It is good to read passages that speak of living worthy in their context to see what is being spoken of. I do believe it means that by grace we can live as true followers of Jesus. Involved in that for us will be repentance, though what is evident in the passages is the new life lived out in this present existence. It is a life lived out from God's life given to us in Jesus by the Spirit. A life of the new creation, destined by God to make all things new, but beginning with us now. This is a life in the here and now that can actually honor the Lord. And is seen in some true measure in every child of God in Jesus in this life.
In our zeal to honor the message of the Reformation, that works are not a part of salvation, we can cut off the importance of works altogether. We're not declared righteous by our works in this life, but only by faith. But in the judgment to come people will be declared righteous or judged by their works, by the lives they lived. Of course such lives and works acceptable to God through Christ are possible only by faith. Our works by themselves are dead, but saving faith works through love, or else it is dead.
There is a difference in our lives in Jesus, but we must grow in this grace if we're to walk worthy of God in this life, and avoid falling into sin. It's of grace and by the Spirit. I personally am working on making as a habit of my life to consciously seek to walk by the Spirit. And then, as I do, good works through the fruit of the Spirit will follow.
Anyone out there who would like to shed some light for us in this matter? Or who may question anything I say here?
(The links are like end notes. They can be helpful, and in this case are links to passages of Scripture, which demonstrate I hope, the truth of what is being said here.)
It is good to read passages that speak of living worthy in their context to see what is being spoken of. I do believe it means that by grace we can live as true followers of Jesus. Involved in that for us will be repentance, though what is evident in the passages is the new life lived out in this present existence. It is a life lived out from God's life given to us in Jesus by the Spirit. A life of the new creation, destined by God to make all things new, but beginning with us now. This is a life in the here and now that can actually honor the Lord. And is seen in some true measure in every child of God in Jesus in this life.
In our zeal to honor the message of the Reformation, that works are not a part of salvation, we can cut off the importance of works altogether. We're not declared righteous by our works in this life, but only by faith. But in the judgment to come people will be declared righteous or judged by their works, by the lives they lived. Of course such lives and works acceptable to God through Christ are possible only by faith. Our works by themselves are dead, but saving faith works through love, or else it is dead.
There is a difference in our lives in Jesus, but we must grow in this grace if we're to walk worthy of God in this life, and avoid falling into sin. It's of grace and by the Spirit. I personally am working on making as a habit of my life to consciously seek to walk by the Spirit. And then, as I do, good works through the fruit of the Spirit will follow.
Anyone out there who would like to shed some light for us in this matter? Or who may question anything I say here?
(The links are like end notes. They can be helpful, and in this case are links to passages of Scripture, which demonstrate I hope, the truth of what is being said here.)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
integrity
I like the word, integrity. For me it's being who I am everywhere. Dropping the pretence. Not wanting to impress others, and working against that. Yet having tact and manners; in other words this doesn't mean just doing what I feel like doing, or want to do. It really means for us in Jesus, seeking to be a follower of Jesus and to walk in the Spirit, wherever we are and in whatever we're doing.
Integrity here is not merely "steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code." It is the desire to live in this life according to God's will and in dependence on God. This involves interdependence on others in Jesus. It is a life we must live, but a life we cannot do on our own. We need both God in Jesus, and those in Jesus- to receive from others and give back to them.
Integrity openly acknowledges the reality that we don't always walk in integrity in this life. Integrity in this way is to always seek to walk before God in Jesus, no matter what we face, or have done or failed to do. It is a life in which we ever need the Lord both to know how to live, to have that will to do so, and then to do it.
Let's look to Jesus, and to those who followed him, in Scripture. While we know we don't measure up, let's look at this as our goal. To be growing and moving towards the one perfect humanity, together, found in Jesus. As we look forward to the day when we will all walk in perfected, confirmed integrity forever, in the grace, truth and love of our God.
What thought might you like to share on this?
Integrity here is not merely "steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code." It is the desire to live in this life according to God's will and in dependence on God. This involves interdependence on others in Jesus. It is a life we must live, but a life we cannot do on our own. We need both God in Jesus, and those in Jesus- to receive from others and give back to them.
Integrity openly acknowledges the reality that we don't always walk in integrity in this life. Integrity in this way is to always seek to walk before God in Jesus, no matter what we face, or have done or failed to do. It is a life in which we ever need the Lord both to know how to live, to have that will to do so, and then to do it.
Let's look to Jesus, and to those who followed him, in Scripture. While we know we don't measure up, let's look at this as our goal. To be growing and moving towards the one perfect humanity, together, found in Jesus. As we look forward to the day when we will all walk in perfected, confirmed integrity forever, in the grace, truth and love of our God.
What thought might you like to share on this?
Thursday, February 07, 2008
two classes of Christians?
Yesterday I mentioned that I don't think the popular theological idea found among many evangelicals of the twentieth century, that there are two classes of Christians, carnal and spiritual, bears up under scrutiny of the biblical records, particularly in the Greek New Testament and specifically in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.
I'm short on time (long on excuses) so I'll go in some measure on memory and on some measure in glancing inside my Greek New Testament and the dictionary in the back. And in the nature of blogging, I'm not going to present some lesson on koine Greek or in the exegesis, roughly meaning study of a pertinent passage. Besides, I'm not really qualified to do so.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul tells the Corinthian believers that though in Jesus they have the mind of Christ (end of chapter 2), that he could not address them as spiritual (pneumatikois: those of the Spirit), but rather as carnal (KJV), people of the flesh (ESV), or worldly (TNIV) (sarkinois). His point there is that they are acting like people who do not have the Spirit of God, they are acting like nonchristians. Paul is not saying that there are Christians of the flesh, and Christians of the Spirit living among you. And the rest of his writings bear this out. For example in Romans 8 we read that we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in us. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they are not of Christ (verse 9).
I see this idea of two classes or groups of Christians in different places. For example in some churches one is expected to receive a baptism of the Spirit beyond their receiving of Christ. And when they do, they're called, "Spirit-filled". Churches are called "Spirit-filled" churches. In other places it's more of finding life on a higher plane, which invariably sooner or later, the newborn Christian is going to have to find, if they are not to remain in the valley of those Christians who really are not Spirit-oriented Christians.
Of course though in Jesus we're all in the Spirit, that doesn't mean we automatically live accordingly. Certainly not! But as Paul tells us, and really in all of this, God's word, "You are light in the Lord; walk as children of light." (Ephesians) We are, in Jesus, the salt of the earth and the light of the world. But we must beware lest we fail to fulfill the purpose for us on earth, as salt and light in Jesus (Matthew 5).
Let's get rid of this notion that there are spiritual Christians and nonspiritual Christians. Yes, we each have our responsibility before God, and it's a most serious one indeed, to walk in the Spirit. But we are one body in Jesus. We belong to Jesus and to each other. We need to think in that way, so that we can help each other when any of us may be struggling or giving in to sin, and also help each other, particularly the younger in the faith, grow up in our salvation.
(Scratch the clergy versus laity distinction as well; I agree with Peterson on that, too, though haven't worked it out too well in my study and thoughts yet. Though I'm never an authority, but seeking to be a fellow learner! I make plenty of mistakes along the way.)
What might you add to this? Do you find a problem with anything here?
I'm short on time (long on excuses) so I'll go in some measure on memory and on some measure in glancing inside my Greek New Testament and the dictionary in the back. And in the nature of blogging, I'm not going to present some lesson on koine Greek or in the exegesis, roughly meaning study of a pertinent passage. Besides, I'm not really qualified to do so.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul tells the Corinthian believers that though in Jesus they have the mind of Christ (end of chapter 2), that he could not address them as spiritual (pneumatikois: those of the Spirit), but rather as carnal (KJV), people of the flesh (ESV), or worldly (TNIV) (sarkinois). His point there is that they are acting like people who do not have the Spirit of God, they are acting like nonchristians. Paul is not saying that there are Christians of the flesh, and Christians of the Spirit living among you. And the rest of his writings bear this out. For example in Romans 8 we read that we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in us. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they are not of Christ (verse 9).
I see this idea of two classes or groups of Christians in different places. For example in some churches one is expected to receive a baptism of the Spirit beyond their receiving of Christ. And when they do, they're called, "Spirit-filled". Churches are called "Spirit-filled" churches. In other places it's more of finding life on a higher plane, which invariably sooner or later, the newborn Christian is going to have to find, if they are not to remain in the valley of those Christians who really are not Spirit-oriented Christians.
Of course though in Jesus we're all in the Spirit, that doesn't mean we automatically live accordingly. Certainly not! But as Paul tells us, and really in all of this, God's word, "You are light in the Lord; walk as children of light." (Ephesians) We are, in Jesus, the salt of the earth and the light of the world. But we must beware lest we fail to fulfill the purpose for us on earth, as salt and light in Jesus (Matthew 5).
Let's get rid of this notion that there are spiritual Christians and nonspiritual Christians. Yes, we each have our responsibility before God, and it's a most serious one indeed, to walk in the Spirit. But we are one body in Jesus. We belong to Jesus and to each other. We need to think in that way, so that we can help each other when any of us may be struggling or giving in to sin, and also help each other, particularly the younger in the faith, grow up in our salvation.
(Scratch the clergy versus laity distinction as well; I agree with Peterson on that, too, though haven't worked it out too well in my study and thoughts yet. Though I'm never an authority, but seeking to be a fellow learner! I make plenty of mistakes along the way.)
What might you add to this? Do you find a problem with anything here?
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
the evils of perfectionism
Yesterday in leading our weekly "devotions" at work for our team at RBC Ministries, I did something different, sharing two readings from Eugene Peterson's outstanding book, The Jesus Way, each from the chapter entitled, "David: I Did Not Hide My Iniquity." Since Peterson wrote the contents of the study guide we're using, and since we're on Psalm 51, I thought this was appropriate. My first reading was from pages 78-79 on the evils of perfectionism.
I have to give you an idea of what Peterson means by perfectionism. It's something like a high, holy standard set for ourselves and for others, especially for other professing Christians, by which we judge ourselves and others, and which we strive to fulfill ourselves.
Peterson decries the division that has been made between "carnal Christians" and "spiritual Christians" (a misreading of Scripture, I believe, by the way, which I used to believe in for years), as well as the sad reality that many a Christian has been waylayed from the Jesus way because of their own discouragement in not meeting such standards. Along with my reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together, how we should see ourselves and then live in Jesus, has been stewing some in my thoughts.
I think both Peterson and Bonhoeffer are right on this, though I don't know well how to think of this yet, and therefore how to express it in words. But I post on this today, to see if any of you have some thoughts on this.
I was raised in a pietistic church which emphasized externals such as dress, though we were the moderates among this spectrum of God's people, specifically among the Mennonites. This is not meant at all to disparage them; many good and loving people among them. Nor is it meant to judge any single one of them. But we did struggle somewhat with this evil of perfectionism.
Perfectionists see rightfully that Jesus walked in perfection here on earth, but they may be off in not noting how radically Jesus identified with sinners, like at his baptism with John the Baptizer. Also in the nuancing of his very humanl life, how Jesus depended on the Father, and was a down to earth creature, yes creature (as well as being the creator). And how our following of Jesus has provision for us in him, that was never needed by him, but is ever needed by us.
For example in John 13 on the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus washed all of his disciples' feet. No one washed Jesus' feet. In the picture of salvation and its ongoing reality in our lives in Jesus (salvation is past, present and future for God's people, in Scripture) we are forgiven and cleansed of our sins by faith. Jesus told his disciples that they had already had the bath of regeneration. We are thus cleansed, but living in this world we are defiled by sin. Sin is all around us on every side. And we ourselves struggle with it. So we're impacted by this struggle, and we don't always succeed in resisting temptation to sin. Therefore, as Jesus points out, while we don't need to be born again, again, or born from above again, given new birth, we do need our feet washed which in their case with their open foot ware, became dirty in all the dust they walked through.
Perfectionism says we must, or at least should be always squeaky clean. And usually perfectionists have formulas and/or lists to help Christians get there. The formulas may even be taken out of God's word, though invariably when they do this, they are taken out of context. And added to them may be a list of do's and don'ts. Things you should do if you're going to be perfect, and things you must avoid. This varies from group to group among these folks.
I remember one church I visited, males to males and females to females all greeted one another with a kiss on the cheek. They all had their regulated garb on, of course even with my suit and tie I routinely wore in those days (and probably did that day, though I think I had a white short-sleeved shirt since I think it was summer) I was out of place. At that time, at least, guys never wore shirts that did not cover their arms completely, even in the hot summers there. Now while these people would acknowledge that others knew the Lord outside of their group, they were prone to judge them according to this standard of perfection that was set for them as the standard they should live according to, if they were to be holy.
The sad reality is that we're not going to be perfect as in without sin in this life. This must never mean that we ever excuse our sin. Nor is it saying we have to sin. It's simply helping us to be sensitive and remain aware and open to the revelation of sin in our lives. Over and over in Scripture, and one might say, preeminently in the life of David, a man after God's own heart, do we see this displayed.
I plan to post some more on this. But I'm much interested in your take on this subject. Does anyone out there have something you'd like to share on this?
I have to give you an idea of what Peterson means by perfectionism. It's something like a high, holy standard set for ourselves and for others, especially for other professing Christians, by which we judge ourselves and others, and which we strive to fulfill ourselves.
Peterson decries the division that has been made between "carnal Christians" and "spiritual Christians" (a misreading of Scripture, I believe, by the way, which I used to believe in for years), as well as the sad reality that many a Christian has been waylayed from the Jesus way because of their own discouragement in not meeting such standards. Along with my reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together, how we should see ourselves and then live in Jesus, has been stewing some in my thoughts.
I think both Peterson and Bonhoeffer are right on this, though I don't know well how to think of this yet, and therefore how to express it in words. But I post on this today, to see if any of you have some thoughts on this.
I was raised in a pietistic church which emphasized externals such as dress, though we were the moderates among this spectrum of God's people, specifically among the Mennonites. This is not meant at all to disparage them; many good and loving people among them. Nor is it meant to judge any single one of them. But we did struggle somewhat with this evil of perfectionism.
Perfectionists see rightfully that Jesus walked in perfection here on earth, but they may be off in not noting how radically Jesus identified with sinners, like at his baptism with John the Baptizer. Also in the nuancing of his very humanl life, how Jesus depended on the Father, and was a down to earth creature, yes creature (as well as being the creator). And how our following of Jesus has provision for us in him, that was never needed by him, but is ever needed by us.
For example in John 13 on the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus washed all of his disciples' feet. No one washed Jesus' feet. In the picture of salvation and its ongoing reality in our lives in Jesus (salvation is past, present and future for God's people, in Scripture) we are forgiven and cleansed of our sins by faith. Jesus told his disciples that they had already had the bath of regeneration. We are thus cleansed, but living in this world we are defiled by sin. Sin is all around us on every side. And we ourselves struggle with it. So we're impacted by this struggle, and we don't always succeed in resisting temptation to sin. Therefore, as Jesus points out, while we don't need to be born again, again, or born from above again, given new birth, we do need our feet washed which in their case with their open foot ware, became dirty in all the dust they walked through.
Perfectionism says we must, or at least should be always squeaky clean. And usually perfectionists have formulas and/or lists to help Christians get there. The formulas may even be taken out of God's word, though invariably when they do this, they are taken out of context. And added to them may be a list of do's and don'ts. Things you should do if you're going to be perfect, and things you must avoid. This varies from group to group among these folks.
I remember one church I visited, males to males and females to females all greeted one another with a kiss on the cheek. They all had their regulated garb on, of course even with my suit and tie I routinely wore in those days (and probably did that day, though I think I had a white short-sleeved shirt since I think it was summer) I was out of place. At that time, at least, guys never wore shirts that did not cover their arms completely, even in the hot summers there. Now while these people would acknowledge that others knew the Lord outside of their group, they were prone to judge them according to this standard of perfection that was set for them as the standard they should live according to, if they were to be holy.
The sad reality is that we're not going to be perfect as in without sin in this life. This must never mean that we ever excuse our sin. Nor is it saying we have to sin. It's simply helping us to be sensitive and remain aware and open to the revelation of sin in our lives. Over and over in Scripture, and one might say, preeminently in the life of David, a man after God's own heart, do we see this displayed.
I plan to post some more on this. But I'm much interested in your take on this subject. Does anyone out there have something you'd like to share on this?
Monday, January 21, 2008
keeping a clear conscience
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15-16
Keeping a clear conscience, or the importance of conscience is a theme that runs through Scripture, particularly in the New Testament. Conscience "refers here to genuine inward purity, not to a mere feeling of innocence" (J. Ramsey Michaels, p 216).
Conscience could be definied as the moral sense of right and wrong that individuals and societies have (see Romans 2:14-15).
Conscience in itself is not infallible or foolproof. Simply following it in something like "following the angels of our better nature" is simply not enough. One needs the presence of God (lost the good quote I had in front of me, I think from Scot McKnight) and the cleansing work of the Spirit through the blood of Christ, i.e., the saving work of Christ for us in his perfect offering of himself unto death.
I like the thought I heard in the past, from Warren Wiersbe I believe, that we should let the Bible, God's word, be our guide, and not our conscience. But our conscience is to become more and more on our side, since Scripture takes conscience quite seriously as something that is an aspect of us, that we can sin against and damage, as well as something that by grace we need to keep clear. We do this by seeking to follow Christ in obedience, seeking to obey God's word to us, Scripture. And as we do, then by God's grace in Jesus we will begin to have a good conscience and peace that we are right with God, ourselves, others and the world.
But we must ever depend on the Spirit and the word to help us, and never on ourselves. And as we do that we will find our conscience sensitive more and more to God's will revealed in Jesus and in his word. And we will be helped to walk in the way of Jesus, more faithfully.
I'm working on this, as I think over the years I've not taken conscience as seriously as Scripture does. What would you add here for us to ponder and grow on in regard to keeping a clear conscience?
Thursday, December 27, 2007
living in the desert
Related to yesterday's post, I think it's true that quite frequently, we in Jesus see ourselves living in a desert, in this existence. Often I feel spiritually dry, barren (fruitless), or sometimes petrified with fear or more likely even boredom.
Yet frequently I sense the Lord's presence, the Spirit moving- even if ever so lightly and just enough to recognize it- and the motivation to act in faith. This comes from God and his word, all in Jesus. Though the desert experience for some may be prolonged, it should not last forever. Not to judge Mother Teresa. But as a rule there should be a sense of oasis along the way, here and there. This is what I find in my own life, most every day. Some seasons of a dry spell last longer, but most have at least some refreshing and rest to them.
Living in the desert is to be a time and means of preparing the way for the Lord, first in one's own life, and then into the lives of others, helping them by our lives in their wilderness and desert experience. It is a place where we come before God as we are, and where God exposes our hearts so we can repent and find God's new life.
We should not despise the desert. It is part of life in this barren present world, not to be despised, but appreciated, as the Lord's tool for holiness and godliness in this present existence, and a precursor (or forerunner) to God's blessing in Jesus.
What have you found about living in the desert?
Yet frequently I sense the Lord's presence, the Spirit moving- even if ever so lightly and just enough to recognize it- and the motivation to act in faith. This comes from God and his word, all in Jesus. Though the desert experience for some may be prolonged, it should not last forever. Not to judge Mother Teresa. But as a rule there should be a sense of oasis along the way, here and there. This is what I find in my own life, most every day. Some seasons of a dry spell last longer, but most have at least some refreshing and rest to them.
Living in the desert is to be a time and means of preparing the way for the Lord, first in one's own life, and then into the lives of others, helping them by our lives in their wilderness and desert experience. It is a place where we come before God as we are, and where God exposes our hearts so we can repent and find God's new life.
We should not despise the desert. It is part of life in this barren present world, not to be despised, but appreciated, as the Lord's tool for holiness and godliness in this present existence, and a precursor (or forerunner) to God's blessing in Jesus.
What have you found about living in the desert?
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Advent and the holy stump
Eugene Peterson, in his wonderful book Subversive Spirituality has a chapter entitled, "The Holy Stump." This is taken from this passage in Isaiah 11:
God had promised Isaiah the same at Isaiah's commission after the life shattering and changing vision and the thrice proclaimed holiness of God (6):
Holiness in the form of judgment begins this process. Yes, Jesus took the judgment on himself, but we also read that judgment must begin in the house of God. We can receive this salvation from God only by acknowledging both God's righteous judgment against our sin, as well as God's gracious salvation in the Savior. From this the holy seed, Jesus, comes life, life that takes hold in the most unlikely places of our lives, as we submit to the Holy God- receiving the revelation of his presence and ourselves in light of that, and submitting ourselves to his just judgment on ourselves and his accompanying salvation in Jesus.
This is part of the Immanuel ("God-with-us") promise in Isaiah, fulfilled in Jesus, and coming true even in the most devastated, dead places of our lives, and likely especially there. Look for the life, the life of the holy, changing us surely, as we seek to worship and live faithfully, before him.
What does this bring to mind? Why should this encourage us?
1A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;This originates in a spiritually destitute time, in which at the end of Isaiah's faithful proclamation of the magnificient revelation he had received from God, due to God's judgment- all that would end up being left of God's people would be a nation of stumps.
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—
God had promised Isaiah the same at Isaiah's commission after the life shattering and changing vision and the thrice proclaimed holiness of God (6):
13 And though a tenth remains in the land,Wonderfully we find holiness, a holiness which changes us, bringing the real life from God in place of the counterfeit life pressed in on us from every side: from the world, the flesh and the devil. Wonderfully this life from God in Jesus appears at the most unlikely places. In seeming desolation and ruin often among those who are castoffs and of no regard to this world. And if we look, we can find it in the stump of our own lives.
it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.
Holiness in the form of judgment begins this process. Yes, Jesus took the judgment on himself, but we also read that judgment must begin in the house of God. We can receive this salvation from God only by acknowledging both God's righteous judgment against our sin, as well as God's gracious salvation in the Savior. From this the holy seed, Jesus, comes life, life that takes hold in the most unlikely places of our lives, as we submit to the Holy God- receiving the revelation of his presence and ourselves in light of that, and submitting ourselves to his just judgment on ourselves and his accompanying salvation in Jesus.
This is part of the Immanuel ("God-with-us") promise in Isaiah, fulfilled in Jesus, and coming true even in the most devastated, dead places of our lives, and likely especially there. Look for the life, the life of the holy, changing us surely, as we seek to worship and live faithfully, before him.
What does this bring to mind? Why should this encourage us?
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
obeying God's commands
Obeying or keeping God's commands is a theme we find all throughout Scripture. It is supposed to be the food of God's people. It is what we're to do, even though all within us would do something else. And of course we're never to be negligent of obedience when all seems good.
I love the words of the psalmist in 119. To obey God's word is to be a passion and goal for us, as well as a way of life. We want to do so holistically (and that's much more than just referring to ourselves and our performance of it), not just mere outward performance, but from the heart. At the same time we obey promptly whether our heart is right or not. Of course repentance as well as a broken and contrite heart are to be common for us as well.
Only this, in Jesus, is the way of freedom. All other ways constrict us in the end. In the beginning this constricts us, but as we learn to live in it, and it becomes a way of life for us, we find a freedom that is unique to it. And one that will last forever. Yet at the same time we will have a sense of being on a different path than what is common in this life, though pleasantly we will find others who are with us in this, the Jesus way.
Are you eathing well, in Jesus? What would you add to this?
I love the words of the psalmist in 119. To obey God's word is to be a passion and goal for us, as well as a way of life. We want to do so holistically (and that's much more than just referring to ourselves and our performance of it), not just mere outward performance, but from the heart. At the same time we obey promptly whether our heart is right or not. Of course repentance as well as a broken and contrite heart are to be common for us as well.
Only this, in Jesus, is the way of freedom. All other ways constrict us in the end. In the beginning this constricts us, but as we learn to live in it, and it becomes a way of life for us, we find a freedom that is unique to it. And one that will last forever. Yet at the same time we will have a sense of being on a different path than what is common in this life, though pleasantly we will find others who are with us in this, the Jesus way.
Are you eathing well, in Jesus? What would you add to this?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
keeping the body in line
Paul made it clear that as for himself, he was going to keep his body in line. Paul knew that unless he did that he could end up losing out in the race he was running for the prize found in Christ Jesus.
Our bodies are where and how our individual lives in Christ Jesus are lived. They are strategic in our quest to live for Christ. We serve God in Christ by faith through them, or else we fail God through them. Jesus talks about this when he speaks of our eyes, or our hands or feet. When we're to love God with all our strength- including our heart, soul and mind- our bodies are alluded to.
It does matter where I look and how I look, with my eyes as a male, or even as a female, for you females also, though maybe that's in good measure related to how you make yourselves appealing to us males, to some extent? It does matter where I go or what I do or even fail to do. Whatever it is in life, we can make or break our walk in God through our bodies.
Jesus used hard words to describe how we should view our bodies if they get in the way of doing the will of God. I take this to mean that we're to take drastic action. Of course such action isn't going to be easy. And we see that reflected in Paul's words alluded to earlier. It will take a ruthlessness and self-discipline from us, but which is of God and God's grace in Christ.
In my theological scheme this whole idea does not fit well, or sit well- though as I think about it, I think it really does. Yes, the body matters, but does so much hinge on what I do or fail to do? It's not like we're going to ever arrive to sinless perfection in this life; I don't believe that. But I've noticed just how crucial our bodies are in this faith that we're to live out in this world.
Does someone have some light on this subject? We could use it.
Our bodies are where and how our individual lives in Christ Jesus are lived. They are strategic in our quest to live for Christ. We serve God in Christ by faith through them, or else we fail God through them. Jesus talks about this when he speaks of our eyes, or our hands or feet. When we're to love God with all our strength- including our heart, soul and mind- our bodies are alluded to.
It does matter where I look and how I look, with my eyes as a male, or even as a female, for you females also, though maybe that's in good measure related to how you make yourselves appealing to us males, to some extent? It does matter where I go or what I do or even fail to do. Whatever it is in life, we can make or break our walk in God through our bodies.
Jesus used hard words to describe how we should view our bodies if they get in the way of doing the will of God. I take this to mean that we're to take drastic action. Of course such action isn't going to be easy. And we see that reflected in Paul's words alluded to earlier. It will take a ruthlessness and self-discipline from us, but which is of God and God's grace in Christ.
In my theological scheme this whole idea does not fit well, or sit well- though as I think about it, I think it really does. Yes, the body matters, but does so much hinge on what I do or fail to do? It's not like we're going to ever arrive to sinless perfection in this life; I don't believe that. But I've noticed just how crucial our bodies are in this faith that we're to live out in this world.
Does someone have some light on this subject? We could use it.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
from the heart
Our Christianity and our lives are to come from the heart. We're to guard our hearts, since all we do flows from it. In "the Jesus Creed" we find that we're to love God with all our heart along with all the rest of us.
I have to admit that so much of what I do I so often don't feel like doing. Of course "heart" in the Old Testament (and carried over at least to some extent into the New Testament, I believe) includes our thoughts and will, along with something of emotion or feelings. Though the Hebrew expression for emotion is more like, literally one's inward parts as in, we would say, our guts. I do think "heart" in the New Testament does pick up a little more on feelings, though we still have a different word even there which means "affections" or feelings (again literally, inward parts).
I see heart as what makes me tick, or an inward disposition. We need to lose heart in sinning or sinfulness, while gaining heart in righteousness or in doing God's will. This is surely a work of God in grace, at the same time including our walk in faith. It is also a matter of growth. Yes, at times we'll think that it seems our hearts are changed, but the real change normally comes over time so that we're changed into a new person more as to the direction we're going rather than as in having arrived.
Loving God from my heart, as well as my soul, mind and strength. It begins with the heart. If our heart is in it, than we'll live it out. If not, then we have to confess that before God, and ask for his forgiveness, cleansing, and for a change of heart. A broken and contrite heart, God will never despise.
What would you add to this exercise in thinking about what it means to live from the heart?
I have to admit that so much of what I do I so often don't feel like doing. Of course "heart" in the Old Testament (and carried over at least to some extent into the New Testament, I believe) includes our thoughts and will, along with something of emotion or feelings. Though the Hebrew expression for emotion is more like, literally one's inward parts as in, we would say, our guts. I do think "heart" in the New Testament does pick up a little more on feelings, though we still have a different word even there which means "affections" or feelings (again literally, inward parts).
I see heart as what makes me tick, or an inward disposition. We need to lose heart in sinning or sinfulness, while gaining heart in righteousness or in doing God's will. This is surely a work of God in grace, at the same time including our walk in faith. It is also a matter of growth. Yes, at times we'll think that it seems our hearts are changed, but the real change normally comes over time so that we're changed into a new person more as to the direction we're going rather than as in having arrived.
Loving God from my heart, as well as my soul, mind and strength. It begins with the heart. If our heart is in it, than we'll live it out. If not, then we have to confess that before God, and ask for his forgiveness, cleansing, and for a change of heart. A broken and contrite heart, God will never despise.
What would you add to this exercise in thinking about what it means to live from the heart?
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