Getting beyond justification…More thoughts from Ephesians 5:7-17.
Praise Him, yes, He forgave my sins through His awesome sacrifice, but His work for us on the cross becomes His work in us to teach us to be like Himself. Not Him of course, but like Him in our character. Being careful means learning from Him how to live my life as He would lead my life.
In the language of Lewis;
Being the sort of people who just wouldn’t live any other way.
We learn how to have His thoughts, His actions and responses to the evil day in which we actually live.
It is a life-long process, perhaps, we might say, an eternity long process.
One who does things to meet the grace of God in their life (disciplines of the spiritual life) will come to know the truth, the actuality and reality of His life in them and the action of the Kingdom of God with them.
In turn they will be enabled to walk free from the bondage of sin and enjoy a life of growing fullness in their knowledge of God.
That is the eternity He has set in the hearts of men and for which our now redeemed soul desperately longs. This is where we go together as His special people He has and is calling out of human history.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION
Why do I relentlessly speak of spiritual transformation of the individual into Christlikeness? Isn’t the issue salvation?
What is spiritual transformation and why is it necessary to discuss at length and integrate into almost every sermon and bible study?
Spiritual transformation is the process of both the formation of the human spirit and a formation by the Holy Spirit until it (the human spirit) has, to a substantial degree, the very character of Christ Jesus Himself.
Necessary? Unfortunately under our prevailing view of soteriology (the understanding of salvation), being saved has essentially nothing to do with such transformation.
Bluntly stated, the theological positions I am familiar with clearly insinuate that you can be right with God in ways that do not require transformation and in ways that do not routinely advance transformation.
Justification is seen as the entirety of salvation. If your sins are forgiven, you are justified and you will make the ‘cut’ after your death.
Salvation is complete when the transaction is complete-your account has been serviced in heaven by the transfer of merit from Christ.
What is the consequence naturally flowing from such theology?
If salvation is the same as justification (the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of the gates of splendor) then spiritual formation will not be seen as a natural part of it. Or even as a necessary part.
Could this account for the paucity of evidence that Jesus really does change lives as we so boldly proclaim? Could this be the cause of what is decried in evangelical circles as ‘nominal Christianity’?
Could it be that people in our churches do not have, to a substantial degree, the character of Christ-not in spite of the message we preach but precisely because of it?
Jesus spoke of a type of life entering the spirit of the individual human being. (John 3) This is the passage from ‘death’ to ‘life’ where real ‘life’ is a powerful presence in the individual with new life from above.
See: Ephesians 3:20 and 2 Timothy 2:1
Clearly a new, non-human activity becoming a part of our life.
Perhaps we have failed to stress regeneration in the individual human who has placed confidence in Jesus. The currents of Divine Life have begun to beat and pulsate in the individual. Is it not: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27)? Is it not: "He who began a good work in you will perfect it…" (Phil. 1:6)? Is it not: "God, who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13)? Is it not: becoming "partakers of divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:4)? Is it not: "Your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col. 3:3)?
Discipleship then becomes a natural progression for one who really does have confidence in Jesus as He really is. Moved by a gripping realization that Christ is the Annointed One. Maestro of the universe He created.
"He has given to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by desire (lust).” 2 Peter 1:4
This brings fully before us a picture of scriptural salvation as leading a life that is caught up in what God is doing in human history, today. It is a life in which "God works all things together for good to those who love him and are absorbed into his purposes." (Rom. 8:28) It is "resurrection life": a life already beyond death. (John 8:51-52 & 11:25-26; Col. 3:1-4).
The emphasis must be bringing before people the truth of regeneration and discipleship so that we actually do learn to do all that He has taught us.
Where spiritual transformation into Christlikeness is essential to the condition of ‘being saved’ as a natural development.
Then we will be caught up in His perpetual world revolution He set afoot with His coming, His life and His resurrection.
What is spiritual transformation and why is it necessary to discuss at length and integrate into almost every sermon and bible study?
Spiritual transformation is the process of both the formation of the human spirit and a formation by the Holy Spirit until it (the human spirit) has, to a substantial degree, the very character of Christ Jesus Himself.
Necessary? Unfortunately under our prevailing view of soteriology (the understanding of salvation), being saved has essentially nothing to do with such transformation.
Bluntly stated, the theological positions I am familiar with clearly insinuate that you can be right with God in ways that do not require transformation and in ways that do not routinely advance transformation.
Justification is seen as the entirety of salvation. If your sins are forgiven, you are justified and you will make the ‘cut’ after your death.
Salvation is complete when the transaction is complete-your account has been serviced in heaven by the transfer of merit from Christ.
What is the consequence naturally flowing from such theology?
If salvation is the same as justification (the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of the gates of splendor) then spiritual formation will not be seen as a natural part of it. Or even as a necessary part.
Could this account for the paucity of evidence that Jesus really does change lives as we so boldly proclaim? Could this be the cause of what is decried in evangelical circles as ‘nominal Christianity’?
Could it be that people in our churches do not have, to a substantial degree, the character of Christ-not in spite of the message we preach but precisely because of it?
Jesus spoke of a type of life entering the spirit of the individual human being. (John 3) This is the passage from ‘death’ to ‘life’ where real ‘life’ is a powerful presence in the individual with new life from above.
See: Ephesians 3:20 and 2 Timothy 2:1
Clearly a new, non-human activity becoming a part of our life.
Perhaps we have failed to stress regeneration in the individual human who has placed confidence in Jesus. The currents of Divine Life have begun to beat and pulsate in the individual. Is it not: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27)? Is it not: "He who began a good work in you will perfect it…" (Phil. 1:6)? Is it not: "God, who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13)? Is it not: becoming "partakers of divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:4)? Is it not: "Your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col. 3:3)?
Discipleship then becomes a natural progression for one who really does have confidence in Jesus as He really is. Moved by a gripping realization that Christ is the Annointed One. Maestro of the universe He created.
"He has given to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by desire (lust).” 2 Peter 1:4
This brings fully before us a picture of scriptural salvation as leading a life that is caught up in what God is doing in human history, today. It is a life in which "God works all things together for good to those who love him and are absorbed into his purposes." (Rom. 8:28) It is "resurrection life": a life already beyond death. (John 8:51-52 & 11:25-26; Col. 3:1-4).
The emphasis must be bringing before people the truth of regeneration and discipleship so that we actually do learn to do all that He has taught us.
Where spiritual transformation into Christlikeness is essential to the condition of ‘being saved’ as a natural development.
Then we will be caught up in His perpetual world revolution He set afoot with His coming, His life and His resurrection.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
An addendum to your assignment:
Understand that what you are undertaking is a discipline. It does not in itself make you righteous or obedient. But we are not trying to be obedient anyway. We are not trying to be righteous. All hope in that direction has been abandoned. We are undertaking to do what is in our power which will enable God to do in us what we cannot do by direct effort. (If you don't like the word enable, substitute allow or permit!)
You will not merit God's favor by practicing a discipline. We do not stand on merit. Merit is not the issue. Life is the issue-a life beyond our merit.
We have come to Him because we desire His kind of life. An eternal kind which means an interactive one with a Trinitarian God. Loving Him, cohabitation with Him and obedience are inseparable parts of our new life from above into which our regeneration naturally develops.
Consider Jesus consoling words to His first followers: "If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
One who does things to meet the grace of God in their life will come to know the truth, the actuality and reality of His life in them and the action of the Kingdom of God with them. In turn they will be enabled to live free from the bondage of sin and enjoy a life of growing fullness in their knowledge of God.
Our disciplines in this direction, as with our obedience is sloppy and inadequate as we begin our apprenticeship to Him, but remember, you aren't aiming at obedience. You aren't trying to obey. You are becoming the kind of person who would obey. The particular place of your life as a disciple is precisely obedience where you are.
Actually leading a life caught up now in the Kingdom of the Heavens in which God eternally reigns. No wonder we are the light of the world as we live in the midst of a broken and ruined humanity a real life-a life found in companionship with Christ and His Kingdom.
Jesus was right, 'A city set on a hill cannot be hidden'.
-Brian
(p.s. Brian's assignment was laid out for us in his January 4th message notes available this week on our website: www.donnellybiblechurch.com
-The Tech Dept :) )
You will not merit God's favor by practicing a discipline. We do not stand on merit. Merit is not the issue. Life is the issue-a life beyond our merit.
We have come to Him because we desire His kind of life. An eternal kind which means an interactive one with a Trinitarian God. Loving Him, cohabitation with Him and obedience are inseparable parts of our new life from above into which our regeneration naturally develops.
Consider Jesus consoling words to His first followers: "If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
One who does things to meet the grace of God in their life will come to know the truth, the actuality and reality of His life in them and the action of the Kingdom of God with them. In turn they will be enabled to live free from the bondage of sin and enjoy a life of growing fullness in their knowledge of God.
Our disciplines in this direction, as with our obedience is sloppy and inadequate as we begin our apprenticeship to Him, but remember, you aren't aiming at obedience. You aren't trying to obey. You are becoming the kind of person who would obey. The particular place of your life as a disciple is precisely obedience where you are.
Actually leading a life caught up now in the Kingdom of the Heavens in which God eternally reigns. No wonder we are the light of the world as we live in the midst of a broken and ruined humanity a real life-a life found in companionship with Christ and His Kingdom.
Jesus was right, 'A city set on a hill cannot be hidden'.
-Brian
(p.s. Brian's assignment was laid out for us in his January 4th message notes available this week on our website: www.donnellybiblechurch.com
-The Tech Dept :) )
Monday, January 4, 2010
2010
Looking out from the birth pangs of a new decade where shall we go? Has Jesus' directive to His people changed? Is the Great Commission relevant? What are we to be about?
How is Jesus to continue His perpetual world revolution-an insurrection from the failed ways of the world-with one such as me? A mere human.
I am human, yes, thank God. There was a time I did not exist-there will, now, never be a time where I do not exist because of the decisive, initiatory action of God who is still about His purpose in this universe and is still interested in the indispensable role I play in His conspiracy, throughout forever.
In His revolution, He intends to overcome the darkness, the evil and the power of this world in the place that I am with the light that I am. The person I am becoming, the light of the world.
This happens by the relentless desire to actually be His disciple, His student in life where He will be my teacher. And I will learn. I will intend to learn and I will consider nothing more important, more necessary in my life than following Him.
Where does it begin? It begins with a clear-eyed vision of the nature of God. Ephesians 5:1. Not just that God loves me but that He Himself is love. The vision that actually permeates the landscape of the scriptures. His basic nature is love. God is love. That is the last word on things.
The vision of God's goodness has to be at the root of our transition to easy obedience. This has to come before our will is transformed. Before our desires change. We must not work at the level of our desires, that is working at the level of flesh.
We begin with a vision-the vision from the scriptures that God Himself is Love. The last word in every one of my circumstances. Which means that if I trust Him, He will not betray me-will stand up for me and loves doing so because that is His nature.
No wonder one cannot please God without confidence in Him.
See: Hebrews 11:6
Let the insurrection begin with me.
-Brian
How is Jesus to continue His perpetual world revolution-an insurrection from the failed ways of the world-with one such as me? A mere human.
I am human, yes, thank God. There was a time I did not exist-there will, now, never be a time where I do not exist because of the decisive, initiatory action of God who is still about His purpose in this universe and is still interested in the indispensable role I play in His conspiracy, throughout forever.
In His revolution, He intends to overcome the darkness, the evil and the power of this world in the place that I am with the light that I am. The person I am becoming, the light of the world.
This happens by the relentless desire to actually be His disciple, His student in life where He will be my teacher. And I will learn. I will intend to learn and I will consider nothing more important, more necessary in my life than following Him.
Where does it begin? It begins with a clear-eyed vision of the nature of God. Ephesians 5:1. Not just that God loves me but that He Himself is love. The vision that actually permeates the landscape of the scriptures. His basic nature is love. God is love. That is the last word on things.
The vision of God's goodness has to be at the root of our transition to easy obedience. This has to come before our will is transformed. Before our desires change. We must not work at the level of our desires, that is working at the level of flesh.
We begin with a vision-the vision from the scriptures that God Himself is Love. The last word in every one of my circumstances. Which means that if I trust Him, He will not betray me-will stand up for me and loves doing so because that is His nature.
No wonder one cannot please God without confidence in Him.
See: Hebrews 11:6
Let the insurrection begin with me.
-Brian
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