Where I’m At, Part 1
June 28th, 2006 | by Scott |Wherein, I attempt to answer my own questions.
A couple of months ago I did a 10 part series on how I got to where I am spiritually. Today, I begin a series where I wrestle with where I am at currently.
I will do it in the context of the questions I asked yesterday. The posts in this series will not be static. My views and positions are in a state of flux as I suss out what it means to be Christ-like. But, they are my views and positions. As always, I covet your thoughts.
At what point do we, in the church, get truly serious about weighing all scripture through the person of Jesus Christ?
In John 14:6 Jesus makes his bold pronouncement that he is “the way, and the truth, and the life.”
I imagine that every preacher has a sermon that he can dust off at a moment’s notice on this passage.
“Jesus is the way–there is no other path to salvation.”
“Jesus is the truth–there is an objective standard to understanding what is true and right”
But what about the life? What does that mean for us? I propose that it means much more than just a full and complete existence here on earth. It is more than a joyful approach to day to day living.
When I have preached this passage I have focused more on the abundant life idea and less on the ethical implications of the way Jesus has called us to live.
But Jesus is not merely telling us here about some great blessing or earthly benefit to embracing Him as the Way and the Truth. He is saying, unequivocally, that to arrive at a fuller knowledge of God we must live our lives the same way Jesus did.
I think, too often, we look at “the life” in this passage as the gift that we can expect from accepting the first two rather than an admonition to live as an embodiment of “the way” and “the truth.” We think more about what Jesus wants to give us rather than what He calls us to give.
To have the true zoe life we must filter our thoughts and actions through the Jesus filter.
We can construct a legitimate argument for war if we rely solely upon OT passages but does it pass the filter of Jesus and the life that he lived?
We can teach our children the need for self-esteem and the right we have to “stand up for ourselves” but does it pass the Jesus filter of meekness and turning the other cheek?
We can justify having enemies because of various ways that we have been wronged but does it pass the Jesus filter of loving them?
We can bog ourselves down in the minutia of scripture magnifying various proof-texts into tests of fellowship and righteousness but does that pass the Jesus filter of loving our neighbor as ourselves?
To truly have “the life,” that abundant life that Jesus promises us, we have to accept the totality of what that life means. That means the ethical implications of the life Jesus lived.
It means that we take up the basin and the towel and live servant lives.
It means that we seek not to exalt ourselves but consider others better than we are.
It means that we practice mercy, even when we don’t feel very merciful.
It means that we never stop advocating for peace over and above “security.”
It means that we be reconcilers seeking first to repair damaged relationships.
It means that we develop greater hearts for the poor.
It means that we value women and their roles in the kingdom.
It means that we seek to minister at the margins of society.
It means that our “borders” are not limited to states or nations but includes all of those for whom Jesus died.
We must be intent on living our lives as Jesus did. It is increasingly problematic to take rashly developed exegesis of OT passages to justify nation-building and embracing “chosen” status.
The mere fact that God did something does not give us equal license to do the same. He is, after all, God. And we are not.
But we are called to be Christ-like. And that means living “the life.”
He is the final arbiter of how we are to live.
4 Responses to “Where I’m At, Part 1”
By Doug Freeman on Jun 28, 2006 | Reply
Scott,
It seems to me that at every level of spiritual formation the basic need is to move from where we are (point A) to where God wants us to be at this stage in our life ( point B). Point B is far different for a teen or young person than it is for some one your and my age.To expect otherwise is to create unnecessary tension. The same can be said concerning the person given one talent, so to speak, and the person and the person given two or five. The key is to use our abilities and resources for God’s glory and experience forward movement in our own personal walk with Him. I would encourage the various life stage groups to first identify their God-given chacteristics and then envision the kind of growth that would honor God.We need to chalenge them to go beyond the status quo and step out with faith demanding goals.
When various age levels have identified their spiritual growth objectives ( point B ) then the body can work together to address a variety of needs. The spirit of unity in accomplishing the work is dependent upon development of the mindset of Christ as revealed in Philippians 2:3,4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, let each of you regard one another as more important than himself, do not merely look out for your own personal interest but also for the interest of others.”
An understanding of the analogy of the body in 1 Corinthians 12 goes far in fostering a spirit of unity in purpose among a diversity of experience. Congregational unity is not a matter of sameness in personalities. Presence of a diversity of education, age, experience, and needs is a testimony of how well out congregations are doing in bring God’s word to all souls, not just those who think and look like us. What a great example to the young people of how God’s word is powerful and able to change lives regardless of race or socio-economic class.
You also mentioned about using women and their talents in the work of the church. We have some 40 to 50 women who are playing key rolls in various parts of our ministry. Some who are considered ministry leaders in key areas where their talents lead them. No they are not preaching but the work they do is a vital part of our mission. Yes women can fullfill roles in the church and should be encouraged to use their God given talents. It is difficult for me to tell you exactly where you need to be but i do know you are very very talented and you are using your abilities to preach the word. Don,t ever lose those desires and to continue striving to be more like Christ every day. Also remember Attitude is not who is right but what is right. No study that you do is a failure if it is faithful. and this final thought, Keep the life vest handy.
By Cynthia on Jun 29, 2006 | Reply
Hi! I liked your posting “where I’m at”. I do believe the churtch has increasingly marginalized women, and I just recently had a discussion with our pastor about it. It started with the church adding to the constitution a passage from 1 timothy 2 that I did not understand and still do not, to state the biblical viewpoint of men only being elders and women only teaching women. I found this passage almost offensive, and could not believe that a loving God would actually inspire someone to write it. . To make a long story short, We ended up with men and women being interdependent, and the fact that they should BOTH be submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Your idea of putting it through the filter of Christ is a good one. Jesus did not shun women. He healed them as well as men. I also think you touched on another heart of the matter regarding putting others FIRST. We as humans tend to put ourselves first, and if more people lived like Jesus, putting OTHERS first, the world would be a much better place.
By Jason Bybee on Jul 2, 2006 | Reply
Great post, Scott. You point out our constant need to evaluate — to filter, to use your words — our actions through Christ. And not just our actions, but our thoughts, our attitudes, our very worldview must be shaped through the lens of Jesus. He offers the abundant life, true, but we must deepen our understanding of what this means. He shows us what it means to be human, to fully live.