Finger Thinking through James 003

James 1:2-3 NASB
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Note the "when."  Trials are to be EXPECTED!!!

But what are trials?

Well - the word translated "trials" here is the Greek word:
 πειρασμοσ peirasmos [testing, temptation], (TDNTA)

Now a temptation is certainly a trial but a trial is not always a temptation.  I believe that James is addressing the dynamic relationship between trials and the choices (including temptations) they bring.  One can respond to a trial righteously or sinfully.  It's pretty much that simple.

In common (non-biblical) writings, a πειρασμοσ peirasmos (a rare word in non-biblical writings) is often found in relationship to a medical experiment which is interesting.  Interesting because that is a powerful analogy the readers could have made concerning James use of the word.  We can think of a trial as an experiment to test the health (or unhealthiness) of our faith.

Ahhh but these trials are "various."  One translation of the term various if "many colored." I like that translation it gives the idea more breadth for me as well as more depth.

And indeed the trial we face are every color for white - which is the absence of "color" and black - which all the colors lumped together.  But trials are not all black or white.  Certainly the choices/options they bring are either black or white but the trials are no necessarily so.

You have your primary colors, red, yellow and blue from which an number of colors, shades, hues, etc. can be made.  It's the same with trials.    You have three basic types of trials - the heart, the hand and the head (just an example).  But trials never - or at least very rarely - only effect just the head, just the heart or just the hand.  We are complex creations and when we feel something we thing something and want to do something.

 Suppose you struggle depression.  You are to a lesser of greater degree a melancholy person.  You feel down, you think something is "wrong" with you so you want to do something to feel better and not be depressed.  But your melancholy is part and parcel of you.  It is a trial.  But it is not just a monochrome trial.  Lots of "colors" get added daily  so the trial is dynamic - it changes - it grows in brightness and dims in the darker hues.

Another way to look at trials is spiritual, physical and emotional.  The melancholy illustration can work here to.  Physically - neurologically you have a limited or disfunctional condition in the production of neuro-chemicals.  Ok, that has a very real effect on how you relate to God and how you respond to life.  The ups and owns, demands, provisions etc. of live all are viewed and senses and addressed through that melancholy.

Trials come in all shapes and sizes, some are weak others are strong and they all shift and change as different things come into play.  Trials are more than red, blue of green.  Some are purple, others are lemon green and some are futia.

Understanding this will help us see trials in a clearer, calmer and more Christlike way.  But we all have many colored trials - and will until we are with Him in eternity.  Appreciate the fact that regardless of the fact of your particular trial it is something God is aware of and concerned about and willing to walk you through it - if you are willing to walk with Him in it.

Finger Thinking through James 002

James 1:2-3 NASB
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

James knew they would be having trials - it was a given.  There was no way to avoid them. No way then, no way now.  

As true aliens and strangers our ways can not be their ways.  Our entertainment, work, study, etc. must be fundamentally different from theirs.   Not to mention our motivation for all we do.  

As we are citizens of His Kingdom and He is our Lord and Master we answer to Him first and foremost.   Our allegiance to Him, our submission to Him and His cause has to take precedence over any and all others.  Hence we must expect trials.

But what are the trials we really face.  Most of us have cable TV and our favorite shows.  We have our favorite teams and groups and we spend time effort and money to see them do their thing.  And all too often we do so in a chorus of compromise with the world.

We'll blink at the inappropriate things just to watch the show or game or whatever.  We'll tsk tsk at the half naked cheerleaders just to watch a ball game.  (By the way - baseballs only redeeming quality is - no cheerleaders ;-}}}).  We'll over-extend ourselves to be entertained, distracted even titillated.  And in doing so we are overcome by the trials - or what should be trials - but sadly for too many of us, aren't.

In His reality (the only real reality) what I watch on TV - the coice I am faced with should be a trial.  Whether or not I even have TV should be a trial of choice.  But we will take part in the great lemming sit-a-thon, the couch potato olympics without any real consideration of the problem - being just like them - the citizens of this earthly kingdom - the one ruled by the Prince of the Power of the Air.

Am I saying TV is evil?  Well what is something that is 97% evil,  evil?  Can you commit a little adultery, a little idolatry and it be OK?  Guess you know where I stand - I'm not a TV watcher (anymore) nor am I a movie goer - it's just I'm tired of ignoring the trial and therefore excusing or tolerating that which I should not.  For me all shows that start off watchable ultimately become un-watchable.  It's just not worth the investment of time, attention, compromise and money.

You make your own decision - but please do it wisely and broadly/deeply.

But - back to the verse.

We are called to consider trials "all joy."  why in the world would we do that?  The answer is best given by Jesus:

John 15:18-19 NASB
"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. [19] "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

John later writes:

1 John 2:15-16 NASB
Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

When we encounter trials of faith and faithfulness it is a solid point at which we can be assured we are His.  Why else would it be a trial?  Had we no faith and no desire to be faithful we would hardly be concerned.  Sadly though too many of us are little concerned if concerned at all by the love we have for the world and the trials that go un-addressed.

We look and act and enjoy too much of the world.  We "love" too much of the world and this should drive us to our knees seeking His forgiveness and His strength and wisdom.  We should also plead for a greater sensitivity to trials and ask for tender consciences that we might recognize the subtle schemes of Satan and the subtle seductions of the world.

Joy at trials?  Certainly for we are His and trials are just part and parcel of being aliens and strangers here. 

But it's not just joy, it's "all joy."  That's unmitigated joy - joy un-deterred, un-marred, not mixed with anything.  Tough call here.  But it is the promise of heaven - eternally being with Him that makes it possible.  We are weak and frail and we may have to work hard at it but "all joy" is possible.  It is not a joy without sorrow or sadness but a joy without regret or bitterness.  It mourns the struggle and the antipathy with and of  the world but celebrates in the hope of heaven.  The sorrow is a sorrow of not yet and not a sorrow of I can't.  It's a sorrow for the unredeemed who can not see the poison, the pit, the judgement that awaits them.

James tells us to "count it" all joy - huh?  Well the term is the present participle which in the Greek indicates on going action as the result of a completed act.  In other words we count it because we are counted as Him.  That is the only reason anyone would have to consider (esteem) a trial as joyful.

OK, enough for now -- How trial sensitive are you - how's your joy level?

//

Finger Thinking through James Extra

As we work though James we need to have an understanding of "sin."
So, here's a chart from D. Smith's book, With Willful Intent.  I highly recommend the book as a sound primer concerning the biblical view of sin.

Accents and breathing marks omitted.

Hebrew             English                       Greek                   English
Word                  Meaning                  Equivalent             Meaning

----                   ------                         adekia                  synonym to parabasis
                                                                                             transgression

asaq                act unjustly                adikeo                  do wrong; injure/harm

seqer               deciet, fraud               adikos                    unjust

pesa               unlawful act                adikama               unjust deed                    

awon              offense, guilt               adikia              unrighteous, wrongdoing

hatta't             lapse, sin                    amartia                   sin

----                 -------                         amartema         faiure/mistake against someone

----                   -------                       amartano           everything that is opposed to God

rasa                 evildoer                       amartolos            sinner / synonym to poneros = 
                                                                                             depraved or evil  anyone whose actions
                                                                                             thoughts and attitudes run contrary to 
                                                                                             God's will Matt 16:1-12; 23:1-38

----                    ------                        anomia                lawlessness

----                    ------                         apistia                lack of trust, infidelity
                                                                                           obstinant unbelief

sur ; satah    turn aside, deviate      parabaino           turn aside, transgress
                                                              parabasis

ma al              unfaithfulness            paraptoma          trespass, false step, a deliberate action                            
                                                                                           by which one loses his/her standing 
                                                                                           with God

Remember - one of the most common accusations against our Lord was that he was, :a friend to sinners." Matt. 11:19; Mark 2:14-15    Think on that one!!!!!!

Lk. 15:11-31   NT scholar D. Guthrie commented that, "sin is not a squandering  of family property, although this is not condoned.  It is rather a refusal to act as a son {daughter}, which in effect amounted to a rebellion against the father."

Think on:
  James 4:17 NASB
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
                                                    

Finger Thinking through James 001

James 1:1 NASB
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

Just some insights:
Possibly the first epistle of the NT to be written (50-60 AD)
Written (we believe) by James the brother of Jesus and leader of the Church at Jerusalem.

Written to:  Possibly Jewish believers who had fled persecution in Israel but none-the-less the letter is applicable to all believers.  Regardless of the background of the recipients the letter is the most practical letter to any church.

Verse on lays out the context for us.  The recipients are, "the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad."  Though it is tempting to assume the letter is written to believing Jews we can't assume that.  There has long been a belief that "Israel" - that is those Jew who were faithful to the faith of Abraham -were aptly the church in the Old Testament.  The Puritan especially saw things that way and we would not do wrong to see it the same.

Remember that the redeemed are those who have placed their faith in the Christ regardless of whether they lived before He came, dies and was resurrected or after.  It is faith in God and His Word - trust in His faithfulness - that was counted as righteousness to Abraham.  Regardless of how little of how much even Abraham understood of God's promise and the coming of a Redeemer, Abraham's trust in god was the key.

So, we have believers, "scattered abroad."  This had to be difficult.  For Jewish believers
there may or may not have been a Jewish community which would tolerate these folks.  for Gentile believers is may have been tougher.  They would have not real "community" to associate with in a pagan city and association with the Jewish community would have been iffy at best.

So we have believers living, if you will, in exile.  They have been uprooted from their homes and have gone to a foreign place with no real support group.  This had to produce trials and with those trials came temptation and with temptation - sin.

They were no different than we are.  Even if we were born here in  the U.S. we are resident aliens.  This is not our "home."  It is just where we live.  Not only that but our "support group," other faithful believers grow fewer and fewer daily.  We too are faced with trials and that brings temptation and hence sin.

We would do well to remember as we move through James that the context is trials.  Not temptations as much as the trials which precipitate them.  We are constantly bombarded (at least I hope we are) with challenges to our faith and our faithfulness.  How could we not be?  And if we are not we need to be very very concerned about whether or not we are indeed of the faith.  It's one thing to "trust" about Jesus.  it is a whole other thing to trust in Him as the only object of trust anywhere and to resist the confrontation of offers to trust other people, processes, things, etc.

The context of James is trials.  We will be looking next at that word, trial, and hopefully we will gain a greater insight and sensitivity concerning trials.  We desperately need to.  Our "trial radar" is being jammed by multiple sources of interference and we need to ramp up the power to overcome them.

Questions:
Do you live as a resident alien, waiting to finally be "home?"
Do you recognize all the subtle trials you and your friends and family face daily?
Are you actively armoring yourself and increasing your wisdom in regards to these trials?
Do you understand that in not being sensitive to trials you set yourself up for temptations?

Peter writes:

1 Peter 2:11-12 NASB
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. [12] Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Great lyrics - May they bless you as they do me!

Songwriters: GREEN, KEITH GORDON

Lord, the feelings are not the same, 

I guess I'm older, I guess I've changed. 

And how I wish it had been explained, that as you're growing you must remember, 

That nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand, in Jesus. 

I know that I would surely fall away, except for grace, by which I'm saved. 


Lord, I remember that special way, 

I vowed to serve you, when it was brand new. 

But like Peter, I can't even watch and pray, one hour with you, 

And I bet, I could deny you too. 

But nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand, in Jesus. 

I'm sure that my whole life would waste away, except for grace, by which I'm saved. 

But nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand, in Jesus. 

I know that I would surely fall away, except for grace, by which I'm saved.

The cost - 051113

Luk 14:28  "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

"cost" = expense

How can we ever clearly count the cost of following the Master?  I don't know that it's possible to specifically enumerate the cost but in general He Himself makes it plain.

Paul puts it well:

Php 3:7  But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

This is an interesting perspective that the English fails to convey clearly.  It's not just that Paul counts all that gave him place and status in the world as loss - but also that he counted it as damage/detriment with a view to violence.  It was violently damaging.

We put sooooo much confidence in our achievements here and in doing so we damamge ourselves - especially our walk.  If there is nothing we can do to be His we can't place confidence or take fleshly pride in our achievements.

It's the "not I but Christ" conundrum.   We did and do things that the world and the flesh applaud and encourage us to build our view of ourselves upon.  Education, training, talents, skills - all these things the world encourages the flesh to revel in and use to get ahead in the world with.  

But where are we told we are to, "get ahead" in the world - especially by the world's criteria?  Paul saw, in comparison to knowing Christ, all he had achieved (which was considerable) as damaging and detrimental.

Here is a nice insight into:

Rom 7:18-24  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.  (19)  For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.  (20)  But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.  (21)  I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.  (22)  For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,  (23)  but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.  (24)  Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

We're currently "downsizing" and I've found certificates and plaques and awards - all kinds of neat things that I could take pride in and use in the world to advance there.  But - is that where I really want to advance?  Do I want to fight my way downfield just to score a goal for the other team?  Do I want to run their plays - work their gameplan?  Even use their players?  I don;t think so.

Dieing to self is not some weird nebulous hippy dippy idea - it is a very real and necessary and intentional giving over all "we" have done, do and will do to His glory and honor.  all I have achieved in all of my life is His to glory in not mine.  It is His glory and - my sorrow (when it takes my eyes off Him and put them on me.)

D. Bonhoeffer said it well, "Christ calls men to come and to die."  Dead men achieve nothing.  But Christ makes us alive and lives in/through us so we may, in His power, in His divine mercy and grace "do" - whether it "achieves" ought or not is in His power to determine ( as well as "what" it does or does not achieve).  We can claim no credit, accept no applause, hear no accolades.  

We are dead men made alive again and that life is not our won (never really was).  We are not of the Kingdom of God and not of the world.  

Paul writes:

Php 4:12-13  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  (13)  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

We soooo abuse verse 13.  Paul is calling us to "contentment."  The "all things" here are aimed at verse 11 and 12.  

Php 4:11  Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Consider:

2Co 12:10  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

1Ti 6:8-10  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  (9)  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  (10)  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Heb 13:5-6  Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"  (6)  so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

The cost of our redemption was Him - the cost of our sanctification is "me."

Am I willing to meet that cost.

Luk 17:33  "Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Mmmmmmm? How're ya doing?

Php 2:9-11  For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,  (10)  so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  (11)  and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

Guns, groceries, bullets and band-aids; getting pretty hard to find and pretty pricey.  Seems the end is near and folks are equipping themselves' for hunkering down and going to war.

Oh, get a grip!!!

What part of the prophesies did you not get.  God is carrying time and history right where He wants it - just as He planned.  All the guns and bullets in the world won't make a bit of difference except - perhaps - in the witness of the real church.

Yeah - I said real church.  Not the clubs passing themselves of as churches but the collective assemblies of believing individuals who seek whole hearted (although haltingly) to follow the Master.  Its time we quit being splenda sweet (that's fake sweetness) and just told the truth.  As a believer, if and when they come for you, you don't get to do battle - sorry - it's the "sheep to the slaughter" time.

There are beautiful, big, impressive "churches" out there that have great influence and reach and with which the world is oh so impressed.  Well folks, I'm with Martin Luther, "A golden plated turd is still a turd."  God calls men and women out of error, heresy and sin - not through it!!!

Yeah folks - I'm a little testy here.  I see believers (at least self-denominated believers) going to all kind of things in these tough times.  Gun's, bunkers and bastions of feel-good-self-ology, temples to individualism and flesh farms (seeker sensitive "churches") are just some of the places and things these so called believers are running to.

Peter said it best:
 John 6:68-69 
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” (NASBStr)

Oh but nooooooo we don't go to Him - we're gonna fight our own war - a new revolution - right?  We're going to go to "war" over Amendments and Rights killing and being killed for a nice but man-made concepts which though alluding to God has little if any biblical basis except that God ordained govenment.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NASBStr)  Eph. 6:12

What part of that don't you "get?"  Bunkers, bullets, band-aides and stockpiled food stuffs are NOT what the believer needs.  What the believer needs - desperately is to:

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (NASBStr)  Eph 6:13-17

What believers should (must) be doing is:
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints (NASBStr)  Eph. 6:18

But no - we run to the bright and shiny or the largest caliber, the deepest hole and the greatest stock of munchies.

I for one, am broken hearted that instead of repentance and revival many believers (not to mention false-believers) are choosing revolution - which by the way - even our own revolution - is a sin.

Who does God call us to emmulate?

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill- treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace (NASBStr)  heb. 11:23-31

Not - it's BY FAITH NOT BY FIRE-POWER.

ENOUGH SAID - RANT OVER --  DEAR GOD HELP US TO REPENT AN TURN TO THE ONLY ONE - THE ONLY THING IN WHICH THERE IS HOPE AND PROMISE!!!

"ism vs "ity" 003

Patti has always wanted purple hair.  Yeah, seems weird.  But there you have it.  I'm letting my hair grow back out to wear a ponytail.  There ya have that too.  

This is an "I," and "ity" thing for us.  (I'm working on getting her to at least get a purple streak in her hair).

Does this violate our commitment and obedience to Christ?  Wellllllllll  - no.  Is it different?  Is it uncommon?  Sure.  But is it wrong?  I don't believe so.  Of course if I ever find myself going to the church at Corinth I'll probably cut the 'tail.

There are many facets to our culture and most of us are in a couple.  In those facets there are things which are permissible for believers and, of course, there are many that are not.  The hard work is really digging to discern what is and what isn't.

Body piercing, tattoos, etc are tough calls.  The key question is "Why?"  Is it to demonstrate a rebellious spirit or is it something sentimental?  "Why?" is the killer question and it can't be answered flippantly.

Immodest clothing is a no brainer as is gratuitous sex, senseless violence (I'm taking shots at TV) - but there are very clear and plain and main things which we may not engage in even if our culture sees no problem with them.

Our battle is NOT to change the culture in which we live - it IS to not allow the culture we live in to change us.  We are not to CONFORM to our "world" but we are to be TRANSFORMED by the renewal of our minds.

Read this about 4 times:

Romans 12:1-3 NASB
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. [3] For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Catch that, "as God has allotted to each a measure of faith," thing?  Young believers are going to do dumb things.  Mature believers on the other hand are prone to doing insensitive and even "legalistic" things.  We all mess up (sin) - it is what we do when we sin that is important.

Say you have a tattoo and at some point for some reason you decide that as a follower of Jesus the tattoo is either inappropriate or just not something a believer should have (no judgement here from me).  What do you do?  

Or say you are living with one you love outside of marriage and having a sexual relationship.  Ahhhhh a much easier call to make  right?  Well the - no sex out of marriage- is a no brainer but what about all the other entanglements.  You know, all the stuff that comes from living together.  $, place, friends,-- all these will be affected and you'll find more decisions have to be made.

Godly counsel and dedicated attention to prayer and the Word are essential here!  It's a TOUGH no brainer - it really rips at your affections.  It hurts - like any surgical procedure.

Individuality - uniqueness is to be celebrated, cherished, honored AND most importantly - laid at the foot of God's throne and treated with all the respect due it from a follower of the Master.  

"I want to .........."   There's a question that has to have a deep and meaningful "Why?" and the answer must glorify the Lord.  When we legitimately arrive at a "Yes!" then praise Him.  but when we get to a clear "No!" we have work to do on any distress or bitterness that the "No." gives rise to.

"I gotta be me."  "I did it my way." -- lyrics that epitomize our culture.  Well - Kansas nailed it with "All we are is dust in the wind."  But if so - we are God's dust and the "wind" is the Spirit.  As long as the "me" I gotta be," and the "my way" flows from His Word, empowered by His Spirit and in is submissive to God - we have no problem.

What's at the root of the problem?  Well - NO DISCILESHIP!  

What I means is there is a failure on the part of the "church" to engage in real and meaningful discipling - the "teaching to obey" part of the Great Commission.  We play around it topically and shallowly but we never get to the real meat of the process.  We never really lay our the boundaries and expectations of being a a disciple - we do however create great fans.

Why?  Because many --- MANY - MANY walk away grieving when they are told they must surrender XXX and submit to a process that is frighteningly intimate, academically rigorous and brings tough choices that demand tough decisions.  

I won't go into a rant or climb on a soap box but if I had a dollar for every pastor I know who has bewailed the need for discipleship and then done nothing about it - I could fund a discipleship center (to which few would come  ;-{  ).

Becoming His is easy - He does all the lifting - not just the heavy stuff.  Being His and growing is tough - he promised us it would be - But we are, for the most part weinies when it comes to planting our feet and standing firm for Him.  Most of us a Peters not Pauls.

Enough - be yourself - B U T -- make very very sure your self is His and seeking to glorify Him - not you.  People need to see Jesus in you - consider if there is anything that blocks their view.

Love ya

Michael

A little help from my friends......

In a previous post I used the terms "utterly unique" to describe us as individuals.  Well, feed-back from a brother leads me to restate what I wrote.

We, each of us are indeed unique but we have a "qualified uniqueness."

This may seem silly but my brother pointed out that only God was utterly unique.

Smack me in the back of the head - he has a great point.

The original is always unique - the "image" isn't.  Make sense?

I just wanted to back up and state is better.   This in no way detracts from our individuality - that unique "me-ness."  However "utterly" is a term best left to describe God and not us.

So there ya go - feed-back, comments, questions even corrections are ALWAYS appreciated>

Thanks David !!  

M

Ism vs Ity 002 050213

We looked at individualism and individuality yesterday but it was rather brief.  The question I would address today is what does "ity" look like in our daily walk with Him?  

Consider:

Galatians 2:20 NASB
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Who is this "I," this "me."  Well, it's two yous.  Huh?

The "I"who no longer lives is this "I."

Romans 6:6 NASB

knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

Ephesians 2:12 NASB

 [12] remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Romans 5:10a NASB

For if while we were enemies . . . .

This is the "I" Paul writes of - but there is another "I" - a strange "I," and "I" never seen in the world.

This "I" is a redeemed I, a sanctified I a glorified I.  This I is an I who, through the blood offered by our High Priest is acceptable bound for utter holiness and righteousness when His reign is in hindered.

Ahhh but even here we see that the old "I" still likes to play games.

Romans 7:14-21 NASB

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. [15] For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. [16] But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. [17] So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. [19] For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. [20] But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. [21] I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

Oh the battle we are in.  We're in what I would call - OK - I can't say that but it's a sandwich that you wouldn't eat.  We are - "I" am caught between the world and the devil and there is still a remnant of that crucified "I" (the flesh) that is too often affected by the world and the devil.  It is a "principle" still living in me that though I have been washed clean and have the Spirit to guide and strengthen me I still have that "flesh" thing and the principle - evil is present in me (until he comes).

It is indisputably true that:

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

This "new"-is a little weird.  It is a "new" in kind as opposed to a "new" in time.  It's not a "new" dress or car - those are things that are "new" in time.  The "new" in kind is something never seen in all of creation before - that is, a redeemed human being.  We are the only ones who have ever been and the only ones that will ever be.  We, the redeemed, are unique, individual creatures - called, redeemed, transformed and ultimately utterly transfifured by the gracious work of Christ - for us, to us and in us.

So, I am not the pre-Jesus "I."  I am a utterly new I, an I never seen before.  Hence again, this is why in the traditions we find in history it was not uncommon for a new believer to take a "christian" name to indicate to one and all that they were a "new" creature.

So what's my point?  Simply that our redeemed individuality (ity) now battles our old individualism (ism).  And our "ism" gets a whole lot of help from the world and the devil.

Not that our wills are free from the bondage to sin we can choose.  Our willingness to choose must be constant and strong.  The choice is always between Him and not Him, sin and not sin, holiness and evil.  But as long as our "ity" does not tarnish or mar His glory and righteousness we are free to express our "ity" for His glory.

Your "ism" must die - your "ity" must grow in righteousness and obedience but it can still be "ity."

Celebrate and give thanks for your redeemed "ity," but guard it well.  Satan and the world work very hard to fool us into thinking our choice of "ity" expression is OK -- well being as we are all "rookies" in Jesus we have to be very very careful -  We have to be willing to challenge our "ity" choices to an agonizing extent.  Is it sin - like pride or rebellion?  Is it godly pride and rebellion against sin or are we just fooling ourselves so we can"do our own thing?"

Jesus my well approve of our "thing" but just because we're His forever does not mean we have the knowledge and maturity we need in the moment.  Examining the Word, seeking godly counsel and PRAYER are critical.

The write Proust wrote, "No man is a mystery, except to himself."  Solve - always be solving the mystery that is you - your "ity."  We are indeed free in Christ but we miss the "in Christ" part.  He - His Word - determines the boundaries and expectations of that freedom.

Prayer, the Word and godly associations and counsel are essential for every one of us in expressing our "ity," in living our new freedom.  

Again,

"We just have to follow THE SHEPHERD!"

Finger Thinking: "ity" vs "ism

My thoughts have been draw to the concepts of "individuality" and "Individualism."  There is a difference.

In the Body of Christ there is a place - indeed a need - for individuality.  There is, however, no place for individualism.  And there really is a difference.

Individualism is all about me.  My thoughts, my wants, my ideas, my perspective, etc.  It is a self focused, self-promoting attitude which excludes much if not all outside influence unless it benefits me.  The ultimate example I have seen is when I was discussing a biblical concept/teaching with an individual who responded, "I don;t care what the Bible says, I believe X."  "X" suited them, fit them and their ism would not allow them to look beyond their own comfort zone.

Individuality however is the realization that God has created us utterly unique and so we will have unique perspectives, gifts, callings, needs, wants, etc.  But, in Christ, we surrender that ity to him for His molding, refining and use.  But I am still I in submission to and under the influence of Christ.  My "me" is not my own but rather His.

This does not mean I become a clone but rather a "mimic."
Paul writes:

1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Paul is not calling us to some, "monkey see monkey do," lifestyle.  The word "be" in the verse carries the implication of new birth, new creation - so something must happen before we can hope to imitate Paul - as he does Christ.  This is an inner change that creates the opportunity and provides the power for all the necessary change.

But what about any "outer" change.  Yes, there will be some - there will have to be - but Christ does not want clones rather He call individuals, individually to serve Him as their sanctified unique selves.  

What does that look like?

Jesus said:

Mark 7:21 NASB
"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,

Sin comes from the unredeemed heart.

From the redeemed heart we find:

Galatians 5:22-24 NASB

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Here's the key.  Individualism will not suffer the "flesh" to to killed.  Individuality will submit all to the sovereign authority of God.

Does that affect our "appearance?"  yes and no.  Whatever of our old self reflects, promoted, encourages or tolerates sin must be changed so that the fruit of the Spirit is on display.

Philippians 4:8-9 NASB

Paul teaches us:

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. [9] The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

So how we dress, where we go, what we do and even why we do will all change - but I am still me - certainly I am a "new" me and i am His "me" but my "me" will, if I am truly His, change.  And this change will be both intentional and incidental.  The Holy Spirit will work in me to change me but I must take up His yoke and change things as I find them in need of change.

"Ism" is rebellion - and a true believer surrenders and ceases to rebel.  "Ity" is changed, it is sanctified immediately and over time to conform to His likeness.

Ahh but here we have to think and PRAY.  

Paul writes:

Ephesians 4:20-24 NASB

But you did not learn Christ in this way, [21] if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, [22] that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, [23] and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, [24] and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Note please he refers to our "former manner of life."  But remember that this former "manner" is more than just overt identifiable sin.  It is also a desire to be accepted by - even embraces and applauded by the world instead of God.  It is a manner of life that it "ism" and an abuse of "ity."  

In the early days of the church it was not uncommon for an individual, at conversion, to take a "Christian" name.  Names were important and a change of name indicated a change of person - in the case of the faith, a change in nature, purpose and living.  But is was not a change in individuality - excepting that "ity" was now His to mold and use.

Consider:

Romans 8:29 NASB

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

Romans 12:2 NASB

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that  is good and acceptable and perfect.

Philippians 3:10 NASB

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

1 Peter 1:14-15 NASB

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, [15] but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;

Conform in Rom. 12:2 is similar to the others but it is a conforming we initiate and encourage and accept.  It is in opposition to the "transform" in the same verse which Ilike to call a participatory yielding to the work of God in us -- it's all about who our God or god is.

In Genesis 35, when Jacob buries the family idols he is making a powerful statement>  He is actively demonstrating his willingness to be transformed - and then God changes his name.

What family or personal idols do we need to bury?   Fashion, hobbies, cars, associations, things?  We can not be transformed (at least not easily and expeditiously) if we cling to the idols of our past.  This is a major change that happens when on goes from "ism" to Christ as an "ity," (an individual - uniquely made - uniquely called and uniquely redeemed).

God cares about two things ( among many more) -- He cares about sin and He cares about holiness.  He calls us out of sin and towards holiness.  One day we will be with Him and our "holiness" will be complete.  Until then we must wrestle with sin - the world, the flesh and the devil - and unfortunately, sometimes, our fellow believers who have their ideas and agenda - which may or may not be God's agenda for me - or - you.

Father,

I gotta be "me" - I gotta be YOUR "me" but to be anything other than Your me would be a lie.  Teach me to be Your me.