We want to be happy. “God wants us to be happy.” We want our spouses to be happy. We want our kids to be happy. We just want everyone to be happy. We especially want everyone to be happy with us. This is the American dream—we all deserve to be happy. But the American dream spawns the American nightmare. The pursuit of this dream leads to addiction, deviance, mental illness, and death because it is ultimately based in self-centeredness. It is accurate to proclaim that the crown and glory of all the fruit of the flesh is self-indulgence. It is the expected reward for having labored in the vineyard of self-centeredness. Happiness is the illusive prize.
BIBLE TRUTH
“The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" (Deut. 6:4–5 NLT).
HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
The continuous pursuit of pleasure-producing indulgences culminates in discouragement. The eventual outcome of self-indulgence is discouragement because we want what we want, but our wants are never satisfied. Then we move to a new set of desires, believing these new choices will produce the ultimate fulfillment.
Ultimately there is nothing that can impart contentment apart from Christ. We flit from bloom to bloom looking for the nectar of life, but only God is able to provide true satisfaction. The spiritual fruit of self-control is experienced through dependence on the Spirit of God so we do not have to depend on ourselves. His divine enablement leads to personal empowerment.
PRAYER
Dear God, I do not want to be dominated by my sinful nature that thinks about sinful, self-centered things. I truly desire to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and think about things that please the Spirit. I choose to avoid a dead life with my mind controlled by my sinful nature. I want an abundant life filled with peace, so please keep me aware of the Spirit’s control of my mind. (Rom. 8:5–6)
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
We would love for you to share in the COMMENTS the insights you have received on your journey.
Showing posts with label Counterfeit Fruit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Counterfeit Fruit. Show all posts
Monday, November 11, 2013
Monday, December 3, 2012
What Is Authentic Love?
November 14, 2011 we published a blog post that touted the issue of counterfeit love. We wish now to elaborate that Christ is relevant to real authentic love, even essential to experiencing genuine love. In Desperate Dependency we assert, “apart from God, the human heart has no capacity for love.” Such an assertion is often met with offense that one's self-efficacy is violated.
The flesh flatters and comforts itself with thinking that it loves even amid obvious mistreatment of those we allege to love. Invariably there is some rhyme and reason to why continuous neglect, abuse, or rudeness can be fashioned into poetic stanza while offering in refrain a commitment to undying love. Others believe that the concept of Christ’s centrality to love is untrue having encountered no Christians who they deemed to be love-worthy. Either accounting, more often than not, elicits strong disconcerting emotions. What is still profound within such debate however is that the assertion, nonetheless diminished by the opposition, looms as truth.
Humanity continuously is on a quest to usurp God’s power. People risk all to find the Holy Grail, the Fountain of Youth, and the Ark of the Covenant in order to possess the power and benefits of God apart from submitting their lives to Him. Even now psychology seeks to mine for God’s truth from His Word at the exclusion of Christ Himself. Humanity would storm the gates of Heaven to take from God for themselves if they were able to do so. The Garden of Eden and the Tower of Babel offer ample proof that this depiction of the human nature is true.
Love has been seized, interrogated, and exploited for every visage of grace that can be extracted by carnal effort. In that love is treated in such an unloving manner speaks further to the issue that “apart from God, the human heart has no capacity for love.” Rather, such love possesses only a capital desire to steal, kill, and to destroy in like manner as does the mentor of fleshly deeds.
Furthermore, love is seen as the potion of life and is sought with great craft in anticipation of distilling for self that which would provide a living tonic for a dying soul, therefore undermining the concept of love’s sacrificial nature where it gives at its own expense, expecting nothing in return, for the best interest of the other. These musings emphasize the polar agenda that exists in the heart of man versus what exists in the heart of God concerning love.
There are times where both man and God were said to love with phileo type love (seven times collectively in the New Testament between John and Paul – not counting John 21). What is of great significance is the fact that nowhere in the New Testament is there a non-believer being expected to have loved with agapao type love. Agapao love is only shared by those who belong to God and is the exclusive kind of love referred to in John’s first epistle.
While it is taught that phileo and agapao are closely related and therefore used interchangeably, the preponderance of usage within the New Testament works to set them apart. John and also Paul on two occasions use phileo with godly reference, yet only then in a limited capacity to show status of association, associations such as exist between the Father, His Son, and between the professing believer and God. Phileo serves to show the highest order of human love, while agapao serves to show the highest order of God’s love. On the occasion when it was important for Christ to express, using human terms, the great love the Father had for the Son, phileo was employed.
However, in context where God’s heart was expressed concerning the issue of love and when the concept of God’s love was set forth, exemplified, or commanded agapao was used to type the divine intention of God and the uniqueness of agapao love from the love of the human sort. It is not without any small interest that even phileo is seen in the New Testament with godly resolve, only when the human heart was involved with God. All other occurrences were man engaged in a loving association with himself or some other sinful pursuit. Therefore phileo was not an exclusively godly love association as is true of agapao love. In addition phileo had to do with love involving intimate associations that may be godly or not, while agapao was always found to be in active service to God’s heart and sacrifice for His purpose seeking the best interest of another.
Left to our own devices, we offer only a counterfeit version of love laden with self-interest as a means to secure our self-centered pleasures. We strive to attain value and worth through people, positions, and possessions, believing we can find fulfillment apart from Christ. This illicit love masquerades in forms that may look noble, but the chief concern is how something will impact self. The ideal of giving to another has been replaced by the idea of gaining for oneself.
We will evidence the fruit of love when we resign from the self-centeredness that culminates in emptiness and then allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to value others. That which is profoundly of God can only be received from God. No amount of human virtue can create what is foreign to his existence. What is rather notable is that whenever humanity attempts to assert self in virtue, it is soon revealed in vice.
Insight Journal
Do I believe that apart from God the human heart has no capacity for love?
I know I am evidencing God’s love because…
(excerpts included from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
The flesh flatters and comforts itself with thinking that it loves even amid obvious mistreatment of those we allege to love. Invariably there is some rhyme and reason to why continuous neglect, abuse, or rudeness can be fashioned into poetic stanza while offering in refrain a commitment to undying love. Others believe that the concept of Christ’s centrality to love is untrue having encountered no Christians who they deemed to be love-worthy. Either accounting, more often than not, elicits strong disconcerting emotions. What is still profound within such debate however is that the assertion, nonetheless diminished by the opposition, looms as truth.
You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect [i.e. mature in God’s love], even as your Father in heaven is perfect [in respect to the expression of His love]. Matt. 5:44–48 NLTMany are insistent that one can love in a godly fashion without God. They are willing to assert human logic over divine wisdom, calling the veracity of God's principles into question as they ignore confronting the whole idea. Others skirt the issue with, "Well, we do not have to love like God to still love appropriately!" Here it is postulated that loving in a healthy manner is something altogether different than loving in a godly manner. Therefore one allows the latitude to choose between two plausible options, pacifying any guilt for having deprived their loved ones of God’s love. They instead feel justified for having given to them this most visceral version of the spiritual nutrient, hence believing they can love in a quality life giving way without loving as God loves.
Humanity continuously is on a quest to usurp God’s power. People risk all to find the Holy Grail, the Fountain of Youth, and the Ark of the Covenant in order to possess the power and benefits of God apart from submitting their lives to Him. Even now psychology seeks to mine for God’s truth from His Word at the exclusion of Christ Himself. Humanity would storm the gates of Heaven to take from God for themselves if they were able to do so. The Garden of Eden and the Tower of Babel offer ample proof that this depiction of the human nature is true.
Love has been seized, interrogated, and exploited for every visage of grace that can be extracted by carnal effort. In that love is treated in such an unloving manner speaks further to the issue that “apart from God, the human heart has no capacity for love.” Rather, such love possesses only a capital desire to steal, kill, and to destroy in like manner as does the mentor of fleshly deeds.
Furthermore, love is seen as the potion of life and is sought with great craft in anticipation of distilling for self that which would provide a living tonic for a dying soul, therefore undermining the concept of love’s sacrificial nature where it gives at its own expense, expecting nothing in return, for the best interest of the other. These musings emphasize the polar agenda that exists in the heart of man versus what exists in the heart of God concerning love.
There are times where both man and God were said to love with phileo type love (seven times collectively in the New Testament between John and Paul – not counting John 21). What is of great significance is the fact that nowhere in the New Testament is there a non-believer being expected to have loved with agapao type love. Agapao love is only shared by those who belong to God and is the exclusive kind of love referred to in John’s first epistle.
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 1 John 4:7–11 NLTA survey of the New Testament would verify that agapao love was used expressively over phileo 143 times over 8 times to delimit the heart and activity of God, of Jesus, and of His children. When defining the type of love a Christian was to exemplify, agapao love was used to set the standard (see 1 Cor. 13:1–8).
While it is taught that phileo and agapao are closely related and therefore used interchangeably, the preponderance of usage within the New Testament works to set them apart. John and also Paul on two occasions use phileo with godly reference, yet only then in a limited capacity to show status of association, associations such as exist between the Father, His Son, and between the professing believer and God. Phileo serves to show the highest order of human love, while agapao serves to show the highest order of God’s love. On the occasion when it was important for Christ to express, using human terms, the great love the Father had for the Son, phileo was employed.
However, in context where God’s heart was expressed concerning the issue of love and when the concept of God’s love was set forth, exemplified, or commanded agapao was used to type the divine intention of God and the uniqueness of agapao love from the love of the human sort. It is not without any small interest that even phileo is seen in the New Testament with godly resolve, only when the human heart was involved with God. All other occurrences were man engaged in a loving association with himself or some other sinful pursuit. Therefore phileo was not an exclusively godly love association as is true of agapao love. In addition phileo had to do with love involving intimate associations that may be godly or not, while agapao was always found to be in active service to God’s heart and sacrifice for His purpose seeking the best interest of another.
Left to our own devices, we offer only a counterfeit version of love laden with self-interest as a means to secure our self-centered pleasures. We strive to attain value and worth through people, positions, and possessions, believing we can find fulfillment apart from Christ. This illicit love masquerades in forms that may look noble, but the chief concern is how something will impact self. The ideal of giving to another has been replaced by the idea of gaining for oneself.
We will evidence the fruit of love when we resign from the self-centeredness that culminates in emptiness and then allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to value others. That which is profoundly of God can only be received from God. No amount of human virtue can create what is foreign to his existence. What is rather notable is that whenever humanity attempts to assert self in virtue, it is soon revealed in vice.
Insight Journal
Do I believe that apart from God the human heart has no capacity for love?
I know I am evidencing God’s love because…
(excerpts included from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Monday, October 15, 2012
Christ Is Relevant to Unity
Oneness with Jesus produces unity with each other.
The admonition however is clear; we are to be eager to keep the peace that has been committed to us by the Holy Spirit of God. Unity serves as the benchmark of our divine kinship. To be one with Christ is to be one with all Christ represents, and with all who are one with Him.
The issue of unity is so essential and implicit to Jesus that wherever unity is found, there you will also find Christ in the midst of it. Union with Christ, as evidenced by the traits of such a connection (the Epistle of 1 John delimits these traits), becomes the foundation for all fellowship within the body of Christ and is the litmus test for anyone claiming to be Christ's follower.
This notion of being unified in the Spirit, with all that Christ represents, is completely fulfilled in possessing the love of Christ within our hearts and expressing the love of Christ to others. See 1 Corinthians 13:1 – 3 and 1 John 4:7 – 21.
Oneness with Jesus compels us to connect to each other.
What compels someone to possess an earnest desire to be a steward charged with maintaining the health and welfare of unity? To be the keeper of the light that has been lit by the Holy Spirit? Would it not be that very Spirit that lives within us that moves us into a concerted oneness with each other?
Unity and union are elements comprising intimacy afforded by a common identity while establishing family connection. Unity (the state of being one) is the process producing the condition of our union (the state of being united). Unity is what God is achieving through oneness within the hearts of His children, while union is the resulting condition being established between His children within His Spirit. Unity and union are not merely synonyms but rather are various dimensions of the relational matrix. Unity is caused by oneness with Christ compelling the condition of union to exist between His children.
Oneness with Jesus prompts a sharing of our unified faith with each other.
The issue now is how do we enter into oneness? The answer is that we must have a unifying identity (being in Christ), leading to an unbreakable intimacy (being of Christ) motivating a uniform industry (being compelled by Christ).
The prepositional phrase “of the Spirit” is genitive in case and is certifying that this unity has originated from God's Holy Spirit and is given by the redemptive process of grace, bestowed by the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. It is He who is working within and between the children of God bringing all His children into the unity of the faith.
Peace is the evidence of those who are dependent on Christ to provide the ability to cope with the problems, pain, and perplexities of living. In the midst of conflict we can experience the absence of fear, dread, and impending doom as we rest in the presence of His safety, tranquility, and contentment. A continuous relationship with Jesus Christ overflows with peace that comes from entrusting every struggle to Him. There is strength in knowing that while all around us is in flux and failure, Jesus provides a spiritual stability beyond the normal boundaries of this existence. We experience peace in the presence of finding Christ relevant to our situation even when we cannot be in control.
Insight Journal
1. Based on my behavior, do I value keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?
2. Does my life demonstrate oneness with Jesus and unity with my Christian siblings?
3. Do I possess the bond of peace with Christ and in my relationships with others?
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1 – 3 ESV).What does it mean to be eager? We anticipate with delight a good many things; Chocolate, bicycling, camping, time with our children, and the list may go on and on. But how many of us can really say that at the top of our list is an eagerness to keep the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"? Some are too busy creating disunity within the body of Christ, therefore the thought of maintaining unity is lost to the almost good intention which slightly emerged somewhere between “I ought to…” and “I should…” and “maybe next time.” The sad truth is that being “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” is not part of our daily agenda.
The admonition however is clear; we are to be eager to keep the peace that has been committed to us by the Holy Spirit of God. Unity serves as the benchmark of our divine kinship. To be one with Christ is to be one with all Christ represents, and with all who are one with Him.
The issue of unity is so essential and implicit to Jesus that wherever unity is found, there you will also find Christ in the midst of it. Union with Christ, as evidenced by the traits of such a connection (the Epistle of 1 John delimits these traits), becomes the foundation for all fellowship within the body of Christ and is the litmus test for anyone claiming to be Christ's follower.
This notion of being unified in the Spirit, with all that Christ represents, is completely fulfilled in possessing the love of Christ within our hearts and expressing the love of Christ to others. See 1 Corinthians 13:1 – 3 and 1 John 4:7 – 21.
Oneness with Jesus compels us to connect to each other.
What compels someone to possess an earnest desire to be a steward charged with maintaining the health and welfare of unity? To be the keeper of the light that has been lit by the Holy Spirit? Would it not be that very Spirit that lives within us that moves us into a concerted oneness with each other?
Unity and union are elements comprising intimacy afforded by a common identity while establishing family connection. Unity (the state of being one) is the process producing the condition of our union (the state of being united). Unity is what God is achieving through oneness within the hearts of His children, while union is the resulting condition being established between His children within His Spirit. Unity and union are not merely synonyms but rather are various dimensions of the relational matrix. Unity is caused by oneness with Christ compelling the condition of union to exist between His children.
Oneness with Jesus prompts a sharing of our unified faith with each other.
The issue now is how do we enter into oneness? The answer is that we must have a unifying identity (being in Christ), leading to an unbreakable intimacy (being of Christ) motivating a uniform industry (being compelled by Christ).
The prepositional phrase “of the Spirit” is genitive in case and is certifying that this unity has originated from God's Holy Spirit and is given by the redemptive process of grace, bestowed by the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. It is He who is working within and between the children of God bringing all His children into the unity of the faith.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:11–13 NIV).Unity possesses a very unique and distinct signature. Peace is the bond offering proof of who we are in Christ and to whom we belong. Peace asserts that we are children of God birthed by the Bride of Christ – the Church.
Peace is the evidence of those who are dependent on Christ to provide the ability to cope with the problems, pain, and perplexities of living. In the midst of conflict we can experience the absence of fear, dread, and impending doom as we rest in the presence of His safety, tranquility, and contentment. A continuous relationship with Jesus Christ overflows with peace that comes from entrusting every struggle to Him. There is strength in knowing that while all around us is in flux and failure, Jesus provides a spiritual stability beyond the normal boundaries of this existence. We experience peace in the presence of finding Christ relevant to our situation even when we cannot be in control.
You will keep in perfect peaceOur relationship with each other is to draw directly from the well of Christ and to drink inter-personally of the water of everlasting life. As we are with God through Christ Jesus—at peace, we are to be with each other—“in the bond (or ties) of peace.” With identity establishing intimacy, peace in this context, now compels the family of God to the industry of sharing their intimacy with each other—sharing with one another the peace that has been received from their bond with Christ that now has become the bond between them. Being reconciled with God results in possessing a bond with our brothers and sisters in Christ, as those whom have been reconciled through Christ to God. Being at peace with Him is now what people of faith have in common. It is our bond—the shared uniqueness that is therefore shared between us.
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the LORD always,
for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock” (Isa. 26:3–4 NLT).
Insight Journal
1. Based on my behavior, do I value keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?
2. Does my life demonstrate oneness with Jesus and unity with my Christian siblings?
3. Do I possess the bond of peace with Christ and in my relationships with others?
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Monday, October 8, 2012
Bearing with One Another in Love
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” (Eph. 4:1-2 ESV).
Paul continues unfolding the process of spiritual development for one who is walking worthy of his call. He now urges the Ephesians to combine patience with the process. A worthy example of what Paul is admonishing is found in the words of Jesus.
Patience is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to persevere under pressure. Patience maintains the virtues of love, joy, and peace when faced with the pressures of wrong, mistreatment, or taxation. When pressed, patience does not retaliate but rather addresses the underlying motivations of the soul. By His fruit of patience, the Holy Spirit moves us to look to Jesus for strength, giving the ability to forbear in circumstances that would otherwise deplete our resolve. Therefore it is not surprising that the child of patience is forbearance. Bearing with one another in love evidences the life that patience prompts us to live within the Spirit. As humility brings forth gentleness, so patience produces forbearance.
Delusional, would be the characterization of anyone who thought they could exemplify the virtue of patient forbearance apart from God’s divine enabling. As a virtue of the Spirit of God, we must receive patience from God as opposed to attempting to manufacture it from within ourselves. In our own efforts we simply suppress our frustration while over compensating with continued availability in view of gaining status with man or God. Therefore forbearance must arise from Christ who is working to accomplish His good pleasure within the lives of those yielded to Him.
Patient forbearance is the process of being personally empowered by God’s divine enabling to regard as sacred the relational pathways that allow us to journey among our spiritual kin, while on mission for God. We are to remain ever faithful to God in regards to what He wants us to accomplish in another's life. Not allowing any discontinuance within the relational connection between our spiritual siblings and us. We are to be a vigilant source of God's grace to each other within the body of Christ. Therefore we should not to allow issues to emerge as obstacles to God's love flowing through us to each other.
We must be careful to remain dead to sin while not allowing our interpersonal issues to animate the flesh, whereby we are once again empowered by the nature of sin within us, giving way to selfish-ambition and vain conceit. Forbearance is an example of godly enablement.
The difference that separates godly enabling from ungodly enabling is whether one is moved towards personal empowerment through obedience to God's Word, or rather being encouraged to continue traversing and travailing within their sinfulness while using attention and influence to escape their consequences. At the point where enabling does not yield the fruit of righteousness, we are to move to exhortation with truth confronting sinfulness while asking the probing question, “What does your behavior say about your relationship with Christ?” All the while continuing to forbear with them through their choosing Christ’s Redemptive Process over Self's Redemptive Process.
We are to hold others accountable to godliness, allowing others to bear the weight of their sin's consequence, while exposing, exhorting, enlightening, enriching, establishing, and encouraging with truth.
Seeking to please over ministering to each other is a sure means to breaking the unity of the faith used to undermine the patient forbearing process. The process of pleasing others works only to establish expectations of one gaining some reward for their labors. When disappointment arises, the prospect of pleasing another turns to contempt for the other. We are to forbear in love and not in a pathological waltz of manipulative interaction with each other, so as to gain some semblance of worth for ourselves.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10 ESV).
Insight Journal
Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? How can I be a better servant of Christ?
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Paul continues unfolding the process of spiritual development for one who is walking worthy of his call. He now urges the Ephesians to combine patience with the process. A worthy example of what Paul is admonishing is found in the words of Jesus.
“You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist [to set one’s self against, to withstand, to oppose; Strong’s Concordance] the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matt. 5:38 – 42 ESV)Many have looked upon this passage thinking that Jesus is being very unreasonable to demand such a resolve in the face of abuse. Yet their understanding of His teaching misses the sentiment of what Jesus is actually challenging us to do. Jesus is admonishing His children to realize that patience is a trait unique to God. But patience is greatly misunderstood as being something more akin to passivity, or being passively compliant, or simply resigning to the desire of another. Yet patience, as an evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, possesses qualities directly from God’s own DNA.
Patience is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to persevere under pressure. Patience maintains the virtues of love, joy, and peace when faced with the pressures of wrong, mistreatment, or taxation. When pressed, patience does not retaliate but rather addresses the underlying motivations of the soul. By His fruit of patience, the Holy Spirit moves us to look to Jesus for strength, giving the ability to forbear in circumstances that would otherwise deplete our resolve. Therefore it is not surprising that the child of patience is forbearance. Bearing with one another in love evidences the life that patience prompts us to live within the Spirit. As humility brings forth gentleness, so patience produces forbearance.
Delusional, would be the characterization of anyone who thought they could exemplify the virtue of patient forbearance apart from God’s divine enabling. As a virtue of the Spirit of God, we must receive patience from God as opposed to attempting to manufacture it from within ourselves. In our own efforts we simply suppress our frustration while over compensating with continued availability in view of gaining status with man or God. Therefore forbearance must arise from Christ who is working to accomplish His good pleasure within the lives of those yielded to Him.
Patient forbearance is the process of being personally empowered by God’s divine enabling to regard as sacred the relational pathways that allow us to journey among our spiritual kin, while on mission for God. We are to remain ever faithful to God in regards to what He wants us to accomplish in another's life. Not allowing any discontinuance within the relational connection between our spiritual siblings and us. We are to be a vigilant source of God's grace to each other within the body of Christ. Therefore we should not to allow issues to emerge as obstacles to God's love flowing through us to each other.
We must be careful to remain dead to sin while not allowing our interpersonal issues to animate the flesh, whereby we are once again empowered by the nature of sin within us, giving way to selfish-ambition and vain conceit. Forbearance is an example of godly enablement.
The difference that separates godly enabling from ungodly enabling is whether one is moved towards personal empowerment through obedience to God's Word, or rather being encouraged to continue traversing and travailing within their sinfulness while using attention and influence to escape their consequences. At the point where enabling does not yield the fruit of righteousness, we are to move to exhortation with truth confronting sinfulness while asking the probing question, “What does your behavior say about your relationship with Christ?” All the while continuing to forbear with them through their choosing Christ’s Redemptive Process over Self's Redemptive Process.
We are to hold others accountable to godliness, allowing others to bear the weight of their sin's consequence, while exposing, exhorting, enlightening, enriching, establishing, and encouraging with truth.
Seeking to please over ministering to each other is a sure means to breaking the unity of the faith used to undermine the patient forbearing process. The process of pleasing others works only to establish expectations of one gaining some reward for their labors. When disappointment arises, the prospect of pleasing another turns to contempt for the other. We are to forbear in love and not in a pathological waltz of manipulative interaction with each other, so as to gain some semblance of worth for ourselves.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10 ESV).
Insight Journal
Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? How can I be a better servant of Christ?
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Monday, October 1, 2012
Gentleness: The Living Out of Christ Within
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness… (Eph. 4:1 – 2 ESV).
How do I conduct my life with gentleness?
Gentleness is given expression through humility. The conjunction "and" tying gentleness with humility is a logical connective emphasizing that gentleness is that which humility produced. One therefore cannot conceptualize gentleness apart from casting it from the mold of selflessness. Whatever can be said of gentleness is brought forth from a selfless soul and lived out within the confluence of Christ likeness and death to self.
Gentleness is therefore the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to reflect God’s grace to the world. Grace is God's power to live that enables us to fulfill His will and be complete. The transforming presence of Christ establishes the order of our souls so we can convey God’s grace through gentleness. As God’s Spirit produces gentleness in our lives, He establishes our attitude, fashions our approach, and directs our actions with others. When we are blessed with the fruit of gentleness, His abundant supply must overflow into the lives of others. With humble selflessness we are compelled to transmit His power to live. We cannot be content with merely possessing the attitude of gentleness, but as representatives of God to others, we must display His fruit through our actions. “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13 NASB).
Gentleness draws it's essence from living within the confines of brokenness, where one has given up their willfulness in order to be ruled by God's benevolent authority. The gentle live to accomplish God's good pleasure as the Spirit of Christ guides their way into being bearers of His grace to others.
Gentleness promotes God's position yet does not participate in any selfish ambition hidden within the carnality of the flesh's agenda. Selfish ambition stands opposed to the soul of gentleness, and with vain conceit propagates self's redemptive process. Without God’s grace, selfish ambition would assert, “I must be served”; “My way must be followed”; and “I am right.” According to selfish ambition, having control over life’s resources is seen as the priority and must be the object of life’s pursuit. Selfish ambition is not concerned with the welfare of others but with the power we have over our domain. It is through this perception of strength that we derive our sense of self-sufficiency. With continuous resolve we persist in our selfish ambition.
Conversely gentleness recognizes the power which one possesses as present to serve God's purpose, and utilizes such influence to accomplish God's plan within the lives of those in need. Jesus exemplified gentleness when He asserted, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:28 – 29 ESV).
Jesus emphasized, "I am gentle and lowly in heart." The dative case noun literally means "in relationship to the heart I am gentle and lowly." The virtue of gentleness is not merely a good deed that is given God's blessings as it is being committed. Rather gentleness is derived from a heart that has been given to Christ, bearing fruit created and formed in His image which engages people in a redemptive manner prompting rest for their souls.
Gentleness is therefore characterological in nature and does not exist in deed if it first does not rule in the heart. Gentleness expresses the heart of Jesus in the glory of grace so that others may experience Christ's excellence through our relationship with Him.
We can exemplify the fruit of gentleness when we relinquish our selfish ambition. Enabled by the Spirit, I can reflect God’s grace. “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth” (2 Tim. 2:25 NLT).
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Insight Journal
I fail to evidence the Fruit of the Spirit of gentleness when ...
How do I conduct my life with gentleness?
Gentleness is given expression through humility. The conjunction "and" tying gentleness with humility is a logical connective emphasizing that gentleness is that which humility produced. One therefore cannot conceptualize gentleness apart from casting it from the mold of selflessness. Whatever can be said of gentleness is brought forth from a selfless soul and lived out within the confluence of Christ likeness and death to self.
Gentleness is therefore the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to reflect God’s grace to the world. Grace is God's power to live that enables us to fulfill His will and be complete. The transforming presence of Christ establishes the order of our souls so we can convey God’s grace through gentleness. As God’s Spirit produces gentleness in our lives, He establishes our attitude, fashions our approach, and directs our actions with others. When we are blessed with the fruit of gentleness, His abundant supply must overflow into the lives of others. With humble selflessness we are compelled to transmit His power to live. We cannot be content with merely possessing the attitude of gentleness, but as representatives of God to others, we must display His fruit through our actions. “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13 NASB).
Gentleness draws it's essence from living within the confines of brokenness, where one has given up their willfulness in order to be ruled by God's benevolent authority. The gentle live to accomplish God's good pleasure as the Spirit of Christ guides their way into being bearers of His grace to others.
Gentleness promotes God's position yet does not participate in any selfish ambition hidden within the carnality of the flesh's agenda. Selfish ambition stands opposed to the soul of gentleness, and with vain conceit propagates self's redemptive process. Without God’s grace, selfish ambition would assert, “I must be served”; “My way must be followed”; and “I am right.” According to selfish ambition, having control over life’s resources is seen as the priority and must be the object of life’s pursuit. Selfish ambition is not concerned with the welfare of others but with the power we have over our domain. It is through this perception of strength that we derive our sense of self-sufficiency. With continuous resolve we persist in our selfish ambition.
Conversely gentleness recognizes the power which one possesses as present to serve God's purpose, and utilizes such influence to accomplish God's plan within the lives of those in need. Jesus exemplified gentleness when He asserted, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:28 – 29 ESV).
Jesus emphasized, "I am gentle and lowly in heart." The dative case noun literally means "in relationship to the heart I am gentle and lowly." The virtue of gentleness is not merely a good deed that is given God's blessings as it is being committed. Rather gentleness is derived from a heart that has been given to Christ, bearing fruit created and formed in His image which engages people in a redemptive manner prompting rest for their souls.
Gentleness is therefore characterological in nature and does not exist in deed if it first does not rule in the heart. Gentleness expresses the heart of Jesus in the glory of grace so that others may experience Christ's excellence through our relationship with Him.
We can exemplify the fruit of gentleness when we relinquish our selfish ambition. Enabled by the Spirit, I can reflect God’s grace. “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth” (2 Tim. 2:25 NLT).
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Insight Journal
I fail to evidence the Fruit of the Spirit of gentleness when ...
Monday, July 16, 2012
God's Submarine Ride
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
The familiar story of Jonah illustrates the approaches employed to address the deeper problem of the nature of sin. God was seeking to save a people while salvaging a prophet. Resistance and self-sufficiency jumped to the forefront as fear, evidenced by anger, gripped Jonah’s heart at the thought that God would not judge the wicked Ninevites. Jonah’s strategy to resolve the crisis was to ensure that God would destroy the people of Nineveh. Believing he could thwart God’s plan by refusing to participate, Jonah asserted his willfulness to create his own redemptive process. Unwilling to trust God, Jonah allowed his bitterness to fester and employed his own creative solutions.
The command to obey God produced a crisis for Jonah, the messenger of God. The possibility of God being merciful and compassionate to Nineveh pressured him to the point of stress and anxiety. Advancing his way over God’s will, Jonah attempted to resolve the crisis and restore control to himself, prompting Jonah to address his redemptive need with a plan to go in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.
Prompted by the lie that he could actually live independently, Jonah boarded a ship, hoping to escape from the Lord. Temporary relief came as he slept in the hold of the ship. God disrupted Jonah’s comfort with a storm prepared especially for him. Invested in ignoring God, Jonah also shut out the thrashing of the waves, the pitch and yaw of the ship, and the shifting of the cargo until the captain of the ship demanded Jonah seek his God for a redemptive plan. What irony!
But Jonah sought to resolve the crisis with another self-made plan involving a death wish: “Throw me into the sea” (Jonah 1:12 NLT). In the belly of the great fish (Rosscup calls it a “submarine ride”) God once again offered His redemptive plan. After three days and three nights Jonah was ready to follow God’s truth and acknowledged, “My salvation comes from the LORD alone” (Jonah 2:9 NLT). Submitting to God’s plan, he allowed the power of God to resolve his fears and take over his will.
“Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: . . . This time Jonah obeyed” (Jonah 3:1, 3 NLT). When the people of Nineveh “put a stop to their evil ways” (Jonah 3:10 NLT), Jonah’s greatest fear came true. An additional crisis was produced, and depression followed. Jonah’s submission to God’s will did not include adopting God’s heart. He had no desire to see the people saved who were steeped in perversion and debauchery. Self-sufficiency regained its foothold, and with another death wish Jonah pleaded, “Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen” (Jonah 4:3 NLT). Invested in his own plan, his depression intensified while he justified his mental illness. “The LORD replied, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about this?’ . . . ‘Yes,’ Jonah retorted, ‘even angry enough to die!’” (Jonah 4:4, 9 NLT). The story ends with God in the process of salvaging Jonah by showing him he has no ability to independently restore control to his life, because God’s plan will prevail.
Despite our best efforts, our plans cannot measure up to God’s design. Our feeble attempts to live independently from God result in disastrous consequences. Perversion propels us to further crisis, although God continues to assert His truth that we must be desperately dependent on Him in every area of our lives. Through Christ’s redemptive process we have a new set of options that can overcome guilt, shame, and fear with an overflow of His love, joy, and peace if we are willing to be desperately dependent.
Insight Journal
Describe a situation in which you used selfish ambition instead of relying on the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness. How would this situation be described differently if you were relying on the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness?
The familiar story of Jonah illustrates the approaches employed to address the deeper problem of the nature of sin. God was seeking to save a people while salvaging a prophet. Resistance and self-sufficiency jumped to the forefront as fear, evidenced by anger, gripped Jonah’s heart at the thought that God would not judge the wicked Ninevites. Jonah’s strategy to resolve the crisis was to ensure that God would destroy the people of Nineveh. Believing he could thwart God’s plan by refusing to participate, Jonah asserted his willfulness to create his own redemptive process. Unwilling to trust God, Jonah allowed his bitterness to fester and employed his own creative solutions.
The command to obey God produced a crisis for Jonah, the messenger of God. The possibility of God being merciful and compassionate to Nineveh pressured him to the point of stress and anxiety. Advancing his way over God’s will, Jonah attempted to resolve the crisis and restore control to himself, prompting Jonah to address his redemptive need with a plan to go in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.
Prompted by the lie that he could actually live independently, Jonah boarded a ship, hoping to escape from the Lord. Temporary relief came as he slept in the hold of the ship. God disrupted Jonah’s comfort with a storm prepared especially for him. Invested in ignoring God, Jonah also shut out the thrashing of the waves, the pitch and yaw of the ship, and the shifting of the cargo until the captain of the ship demanded Jonah seek his God for a redemptive plan. What irony!
But Jonah sought to resolve the crisis with another self-made plan involving a death wish: “Throw me into the sea” (Jonah 1:12 NLT). In the belly of the great fish (Rosscup calls it a “submarine ride”) God once again offered His redemptive plan. After three days and three nights Jonah was ready to follow God’s truth and acknowledged, “My salvation comes from the LORD alone” (Jonah 2:9 NLT). Submitting to God’s plan, he allowed the power of God to resolve his fears and take over his will.
“Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: . . . This time Jonah obeyed” (Jonah 3:1, 3 NLT). When the people of Nineveh “put a stop to their evil ways” (Jonah 3:10 NLT), Jonah’s greatest fear came true. An additional crisis was produced, and depression followed. Jonah’s submission to God’s will did not include adopting God’s heart. He had no desire to see the people saved who were steeped in perversion and debauchery. Self-sufficiency regained its foothold, and with another death wish Jonah pleaded, “Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen” (Jonah 4:3 NLT). Invested in his own plan, his depression intensified while he justified his mental illness. “The LORD replied, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about this?’ . . . ‘Yes,’ Jonah retorted, ‘even angry enough to die!’” (Jonah 4:4, 9 NLT). The story ends with God in the process of salvaging Jonah by showing him he has no ability to independently restore control to his life, because God’s plan will prevail.
Despite our best efforts, our plans cannot measure up to God’s design. Our feeble attempts to live independently from God result in disastrous consequences. Perversion propels us to further crisis, although God continues to assert His truth that we must be desperately dependent on Him in every area of our lives. Through Christ’s redemptive process we have a new set of options that can overcome guilt, shame, and fear with an overflow of His love, joy, and peace if we are willing to be desperately dependent.
Insight Journal
Describe a situation in which you used selfish ambition instead of relying on the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness. How would this situation be described differently if you were relying on the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness?
Monday, July 9, 2012
Maniac Driver Questions Peace
After Jehu had been anointed as king of the northern kingdom of Israel, he set about to cleanse the realm of Baal worship. His impetuous enthusiasm gained him the reputation as a maniac driver. “The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac” (2 Kings 9:20 NIV).
In an interesting snippet of the story, Jehu offers this commentary on counterfeit peace.
2 Kings 9:17–22 (NIV)
But humanity desires a Christ-less comfort. We choose rather to be at ease by creating an environment where the circumstances and situations favor us.
2 Kings 10:30 – 31 (NIV) adds the LORD’s commentary on Jehu.
Insight Journal
How do you try to supply your own peace in your life?
(excerpts included from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
In an interesting snippet of the story, Jehu offers this commentary on counterfeit peace.
2 Kings 9:17–22 (NIV)
17 When the lookout standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, he called out, “I see some troops coming.”The NIV Life Application Study Bible (2011) adds this commentary to verses 18 – 19 of the passage
“Get a horseman,” Joram ordered. “Send him to meet them and ask, ‘Do you come in peace?’ ”
18 The horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king says: ‘Do you come in peace?’ ”
“What do you have to do with peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.”
The lookout reported, “The messenger has reached them, but he isn’t coming back.”
19 So the king sent out a second horseman. When he came to them he said, “This is what the king says: ‘Do you come in peace?’ ”
Jehu replied, “What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me.”
20 The lookout reported, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac.”
21 “Hitch up my chariot,” Joram ordered. And when it was hitched up, Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met him at the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?”
“How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”
The horsemen met Jehu and asked if he came in peace. But Jehu responded, “What do you have to do with peace?” Peace, properly understood, comes from God. It is not genuine except when rooted in belief in God and love for him. Jehu knew the men represented a disobedient, wicked king…. Lasting peace can come only from knowing God who gives it to us.Peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that supplies security in Christ, who provides all that is needed for life and godliness. It is the evidence of one who is dependent on Christ to provide the ability to cope with the problems, pain, and perplexities of living. In the midst of conflict we can experience the absence of fear, dread, and impending doom as we rest in the presence of His safety, tranquility, and contentment. A continuous relationship with Jesus Christ overflows with peace that comes from entrusting every struggle to Him. There is strength in knowing that while all around us is in flux and failure, Jesus provides a spiritual stability beyond the normal boundaries of this existence. We experience peace in the presence of finding Christ relevant to our situation even when we cannot be in control.
But humanity desires a Christ-less comfort. We choose rather to be at ease by creating an environment where the circumstances and situations favor us.
2 Kings 10:30 – 31 (NIV) adds the LORD’s commentary on Jehu.
The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit.NIV Life Application Study Bible (2011) offers this character study of Jehu.
Jehu had the basic qualities that could have made him a great success. From a human perspective, in fact, he was a successful king. His family ruled the northern kingdom longer than any other. He was used by God as an instrument of punishment to Ahab’s evil dynasty and he fiercely attacked Baal worship. He came close to being God’s kind of king, but he recklessly went beyond God’s commands and failed to follow through on the obedient actions that began his reign. Within sight of victory, he settled for mediocrity.Jehu’s story is told in 1 Kings 19:16—2 Kings 10:36. He is also mentioned in 2 Kings 15:12; 2 Chronicles 22:7-9; Hosea 1:4, 5.
Jehu was a man of immediate action but without ultimate purpose. His kingdom moved, but its destination was unclear. He eliminated one form of idolatry, Baal worship, only to uphold another by continuing to worship the golden calves Jeroboam had set up. He could have accomplished much for God if had had been obedient to the One who made him king. Even when he was carrying out God’s directions, Jehu’s style showed he was not fully aware of who was directing him.
As he did with Jehu, God gives each person strengths and abilities that will find their greatest usefulness only under his control. Outside that control, however, they don’t accomplish what they could and often become tools for evil. One way to make sure this does not happen is to tell God of your willingness to be under his control. With his presence in your life, your natural strengths and abilities will be used to their greatest potential for the greatest good.
Insight Journal
How do you try to supply your own peace in your life?
(excerpts included from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Monday, March 26, 2012
Counterfeit Leadership
Our efforts to control our lives produce undesirable results. But still we attempt to counterfeit God’s design for our lives through our own efforts. With tenacity we persist in demanding that our way must work. And so we continue to counterfeit the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Deceived, we believe the fruit of the Spirit is merely the best side of humanity. If we try hard enough we can manufacture this fruit consistently in our lives. But living a life that is desperately dependent on Christ necessitates yielding to His Spirit’s movement as we cease endeavoring to produce our own fruit. We are incapable of producing His fruit on our own vines; we can only produce His fruit as we are grafted into His vine.
We as servant-leaders must not lose sight of the everyday process of having a ministering heart as a way of life – ministering within the enabling power of God and manifesting the fruit of His Spirit to all in the sphere of our influence. We must draw from the anointed power of God’s call and compulsion within our lives as mature believers being prompted to seek God’s good pleasure.
Mature Christian service being produced is one of the chief evidences of spiritually mature leadership being present. If we as Christians fail to live out our salvation to its full potential with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12-13) then we are merely a people performing good deeds. The great loss is that as a Christian people we will not have followed Christ, nor born much fruit that the Father would have been glorified. "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples" (John 15:8 NASB).
So what is the primary nature of your service?
How would you describe the prime objective for your serving?
How would you define the supreme motive inspiring you to lead and serve?
(excerpts included from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.Leadership is vital for servants and provides the structure necessary to oppose the sin nature in a manner that would facilitate useful ministry fostering effective service to those in bondage to having things their way. Leadership within its Biblical context is interpersonal and in its true essence is stewardship that has been promoted to management. The leader, using the great tool of a divinely enabled influence, builds spiritual maturity (Christ-likeness) into a soul by a course of speaking the truth in love within the confines of a divinely anointed relationship. The great task of leadership then is to oppose the nature of sin within an individual that would seek to graft themselves into their own make shift vine and then seek to counterfeit the fruit of God’s Spirit while calling it divine.
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5 NASB)
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. (Eph. 4:14-15 NLT)Leadership gives time and attention to how this truth is applied in order to mentor a follower into finding Christ relevant to every area of life. Godly leadership paves the way for service to thrive by creating structure that ensures truth and time are available within appropriate limits so as to promote healthy ministry. These three: truth, time, and structure being employed by a servant-leader who desperately seeks the enabling of the Holy Spirit, comprise the foundation for all effective serving and offer to us a Biblical formula for developing Christian maturity.
T + T + S = MHowever when leadership promotes a view of servant-ministry as merely doing some work or completing some action, they cease to emphasize the primary nature of ministry where mature servants of God are being moved by the compulsion of Christ’s grace to interact with others in need of Christ, prompted only by the supreme motive of love.
Truth + Time + Structure = Maturity
We as servant-leaders must not lose sight of the everyday process of having a ministering heart as a way of life – ministering within the enabling power of God and manifesting the fruit of His Spirit to all in the sphere of our influence. We must draw from the anointed power of God’s call and compulsion within our lives as mature believers being prompted to seek God’s good pleasure.
Mature Christian service being produced is one of the chief evidences of spiritually mature leadership being present. If we as Christians fail to live out our salvation to its full potential with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12-13) then we are merely a people performing good deeds. The great loss is that as a Christian people we will not have followed Christ, nor born much fruit that the Father would have been glorified. "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples" (John 15:8 NASB).
So what is the primary nature of your service?
How would you describe the prime objective for your serving?
How would you define the supreme motive inspiring you to lead and serve?
(excerpts included from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Are You a Servant?
What does it really mean to be a servant? Servitude is truly one of the profound experiences of being desperately dependent on Christ, and is antithetical to what commonly comprises our human nature. Does the thought of being completely controlled by someone or something create anxiety, motivating you to seek refuge in a place of safety by your own design? Do you seek a place that provides you with security only because it allows you to exercise control?
The American mentality seems to be more like that of the ancient Greeks who had a strong sense of individualism and an aversion to bondage, yet what happens to freedom when our souls have been conquered by the love of Jesus? Paul asserted, "If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us” (2 Cor. 5:13-14 NLT). Paul saw himself as a captive to love for God and thus considered himself "a slave of Christ Jesus" (Rom. 1:1 NLT).
The heart of a servant is one whose soul has been claimed by the desire of another. While the heart of a tyrant forces one to capitulate, Christ lays claim only to what has been willfully and freely given to Him.
Christian servitude then reflects who, not what, is most important to us. The One we serve is the very One we worship. There should be no schism between how we live and who we love. They should be one in the same. The fruit of our lives should express what God has planted into our hearts and the yield of our lives should be that which He now harvests—our loyalty and adoration.
What then is the significance of finding Christ relevant to every area of our lives if we do not seek to live in homage to Him throughout our lives? The relevance of Christ is not given to serve our interest but rather is given so that we may serve His will. Is His relevance not found in our servitude to His will and there do we not find all that we have longed for? As we explore the richness of our relationship with Him, do we not encounter His good pleasure and there find our joy? Are we not given purpose when He is given preeminence?
Christian servitude is embraced through deep relational loyalty whereby one's heart is seized with love for Christ. The compulsion of the servant's heart is the desire of their beloved Lord. Commitment of this sort may not be measured in a carnal balance of good deeds but can only be realized in the surrender of the full sum of one's soul to the full magnification of Christ's glory.
How sad it is that within our modern Christian culture we have lost the wonder and the beauty of this relational sonnet of master-servant love, to relegate all that servitude is into a notion that can be accomplished through mere service. The issue of servitude must never be equated with much doing of anything in general. The reality of such is that service apart from servitude is work that has lost its soul to selfish-ambition.
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws’” (Matt. 7:21-23 NLT).
Why do you serve?
The American mentality seems to be more like that of the ancient Greeks who had a strong sense of individualism and an aversion to bondage, yet what happens to freedom when our souls have been conquered by the love of Jesus? Paul asserted, "If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us” (2 Cor. 5:13-14 NLT). Paul saw himself as a captive to love for God and thus considered himself "a slave of Christ Jesus" (Rom. 1:1 NLT).
The heart of a servant is one whose soul has been claimed by the desire of another. While the heart of a tyrant forces one to capitulate, Christ lays claim only to what has been willfully and freely given to Him.
Christian servitude then reflects who, not what, is most important to us. The One we serve is the very One we worship. There should be no schism between how we live and who we love. They should be one in the same. The fruit of our lives should express what God has planted into our hearts and the yield of our lives should be that which He now harvests—our loyalty and adoration.
What then is the significance of finding Christ relevant to every area of our lives if we do not seek to live in homage to Him throughout our lives? The relevance of Christ is not given to serve our interest but rather is given so that we may serve His will. Is His relevance not found in our servitude to His will and there do we not find all that we have longed for? As we explore the richness of our relationship with Him, do we not encounter His good pleasure and there find our joy? Are we not given purpose when He is given preeminence?
Christian servitude is embraced through deep relational loyalty whereby one's heart is seized with love for Christ. The compulsion of the servant's heart is the desire of their beloved Lord. Commitment of this sort may not be measured in a carnal balance of good deeds but can only be realized in the surrender of the full sum of one's soul to the full magnification of Christ's glory.
How sad it is that within our modern Christian culture we have lost the wonder and the beauty of this relational sonnet of master-servant love, to relegate all that servitude is into a notion that can be accomplished through mere service. The issue of servitude must never be equated with much doing of anything in general. The reality of such is that service apart from servitude is work that has lost its soul to selfish-ambition.
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws’” (Matt. 7:21-23 NLT).
Why do you serve?
Monday, February 27, 2012
"Mow the grass."
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Col. 3:12–13 NLT).This passage encompasses the action required as we allow the Holy Spirit to exhibit His fruit of patience in our lives. Consider if Patrick Perfect persevered by the spirit or counterfeited patience with control which culminated in frustration.
Patrick Perfect decided it was time for his son to learn the manly art of mowing the yard. He had always prided himself in his specialized method of mowing the lawn, and neighbors as well as passers-by commented on what a neat appearance their yard always had. This was an important heritage to pass to his son, Pete.
Patrick was certain that Pete had already gleaned all the important details of mowing the lawn because he was now a teenager and had seen the perfectly manicured lawn for 13 years! So when Patrick left for work, he charged Pete with the honor of mowing the yard. As he left for his day at the office, a glowing sense of pride welled up within him; he knew that Pete would be a shining star in his father’s crown.
But when Patrick returned from work that evening, horror gripped his heart when he pulled into the driveway! The yard looked like a corn maze!! And hay was piled in lumps in inconceivable locations! What happened to the perfectly aligned diagonal rows that had characterized the Perfect home? Why were there sprigs of grass scattered all across the sidewalk? Why could Pete not just mow the grass the way it was supposed to be?
Patrick stormed into the house and yanked the headset from Pete’s ears. With a barrage of explicatives and accusations, Patrick towed his son to the front porch to view his catastrophe that was laid bare for the world to see.
Dad anguished. “How could I have trusted you with such an important task??”
Pete answered, “Dad, I mowed the grass like you asked! What more did you want?”
Are their other times you have seen control take over when God's purposes could have been better accomplished by allowing the Holy Spirit to evidence His fruit of patience? We’d love to hear your story. Write to us at contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit patience or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
Monday, February 20, 2012
"She is so nice."
Are you ready to evaluate another scenario? Consider if Bernice is really exhibiting the Holy Spirit's fruit of goodness, or is she exploiting situations for her own benefit? If you need a refresher course, click here to review our previous post on Counterfeit Goodness. Remember, goodness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to exemplify God’s moral nature.
"Bernice is soooo nice! Every time something has to be done at the church, she is always there to help.
"We needed help stuffing shoe boxes—she was there.
"We asked for someone to help in the kitchen—she was there.
"They needed an extra nursery worker—she helped.
"She led a VBS team.
"She scrubbed the toilet bowls.
"She leads a ladies’ Bible study.
"She teaches a small group.
"She hosts parties.
"She painted the baseboards in the hallways.
"She turns the lights on for services.
"She turns off the lights at the end of service.
"She collected money for the orphanage.
"She sings in the choir.
"She does it all!! She is sooo good!
"I was talking to her the other day, and she was telling me that she just never felt good enough! She said no one ever thanks her for all that she does! She believes she keeps having to do more and more so that people will think well of her, but it doesn’t ever seem to be enough!!"
Yes, we believe God wants us to serve everyone. But is that really true? Did Jesus serve everyone? Although the pool at Bethesda was surrounded with sick people, John 5 only records Jesus healing one of them. God has a specific task for you to do, and only when you stay in tune with the Holy Spirit's work in your life can you know what He has for you to do. Otherwise you exhaust yourself living by your own effort. God gives you everything you need to accomplish the work that He has for you to do. But if it is not a job He has for you to do, you will be left feeling inadequate.
Did this make you think of an example where someone used exploitation instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to exhibit goodness in his or her life? We’d love to hear your story. Write to us at contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit goodness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
"Bernice is soooo nice! Every time something has to be done at the church, she is always there to help.
"We needed help stuffing shoe boxes—she was there.
"We asked for someone to help in the kitchen—she was there.
"They needed an extra nursery worker—she helped.
"She led a VBS team.
"She scrubbed the toilet bowls.
"She leads a ladies’ Bible study.
"She teaches a small group.
"She hosts parties.
"She painted the baseboards in the hallways.
"She turns the lights on for services.
"She turns off the lights at the end of service.
"She collected money for the orphanage.
"She sings in the choir.
"She does it all!! She is sooo good!
"I was talking to her the other day, and she was telling me that she just never felt good enough! She said no one ever thanks her for all that she does! She believes she keeps having to do more and more so that people will think well of her, but it doesn’t ever seem to be enough!!"
Yes, we believe God wants us to serve everyone. But is that really true? Did Jesus serve everyone? Although the pool at Bethesda was surrounded with sick people, John 5 only records Jesus healing one of them. God has a specific task for you to do, and only when you stay in tune with the Holy Spirit's work in your life can you know what He has for you to do. Otherwise you exhaust yourself living by your own effort. God gives you everything you need to accomplish the work that He has for you to do. But if it is not a job He has for you to do, you will be left feeling inadequate.
Did this make you think of an example where someone used exploitation instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to exhibit goodness in his or her life? We’d love to hear your story. Write to us at contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit goodness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
Monday, February 13, 2012
"I love you."
In chapter 3 of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life, the Insight Journal asks you to consider various scenarios when a situation would be ministry (seeking your best interest) versus when it would be manipulation (seeking my best interest). What do you think about this one?
Valentine’s Day was right around the corner—the time to celebrate love and affection, when love is in the air. If you sit at home on February 14th, you are labeled as a loser, destined to become a grumpy old man who dies alone. Jared certainly did not want that inscription on his tombstone!
As he made his rounds at the office, Jared hovered in one cubicle after another.
“Sally, you know you are my favorite secretary of all! Will you go out with me on Valentine’s Day?”
“Tiffany, you look radiant in that black dress. Will you go out with me on Valentine’s Day?”
“Mary Jane, you know how to make the best coffee. Will you go out with me on Valentine’s Day?”
“Hannah, you know you don’t want to be alone on Valentine’s Day. Will you go out with me?”
Hannah DID know she didn’t want to be alone on Valentine’s Day, so she agreed to Jared’s invitation.
After spending way too much money on a stunning dress and over-priced shoes that she would never wear again, Hannah primped for hours with the goal to WOW Jared. When she met him at the door, she knew she attained her goal.
Jared loved how Hannah made him feel. And later that Valentine’s night he whispered, “I love you” to be able to gratify more of his desires. Hannah believed Jared’s words sealed a commitment of care and compassion and responded, “I love you, too.”
Ministry (seeking your best interest) or manipulation (seeking my best interest)? When we do not allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, we are merely seeking self-satisfaction.
Did this make you think of an example where someone used manipulation instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to exhibit kindness in his or her life? We’d love to hear your story. Write to us at contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit kindness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
Valentine’s Day was right around the corner—the time to celebrate love and affection, when love is in the air. If you sit at home on February 14th, you are labeled as a loser, destined to become a grumpy old man who dies alone. Jared certainly did not want that inscription on his tombstone!
As he made his rounds at the office, Jared hovered in one cubicle after another.
“Sally, you know you are my favorite secretary of all! Will you go out with me on Valentine’s Day?”
“Tiffany, you look radiant in that black dress. Will you go out with me on Valentine’s Day?”
“Mary Jane, you know how to make the best coffee. Will you go out with me on Valentine’s Day?”
“Hannah, you know you don’t want to be alone on Valentine’s Day. Will you go out with me?”
Hannah DID know she didn’t want to be alone on Valentine’s Day, so she agreed to Jared’s invitation.
After spending way too much money on a stunning dress and over-priced shoes that she would never wear again, Hannah primped for hours with the goal to WOW Jared. When she met him at the door, she knew she attained her goal.
Jared loved how Hannah made him feel. And later that Valentine’s night he whispered, “I love you” to be able to gratify more of his desires. Hannah believed Jared’s words sealed a commitment of care and compassion and responded, “I love you, too.”
Ministry (seeking your best interest) or manipulation (seeking my best interest)? When we do not allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, we are merely seeking self-satisfaction.
Did this make you think of an example where someone used manipulation instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to exhibit kindness in his or her life? We’d love to hear your story. Write to us at contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit kindness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
Monday, February 6, 2012
"Let me introduce you to my friend."
In chapter 3 of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life, the Insight Journal asks you to consider various scenarios when a situation would be ministry (seeking your best interest) versus when it would be manipulation (seeking my best interest). What do you think about this one?
“Katie! Katie!! Katie!!! Katie!!!! You HAVE to come meet my new friend!!!!!” Sarah bounced as she drug Katie down the sidewalk. “There I was just sitting in the library minding my own business when this good-looking guy asked if he could share the table with me. Of course, I didn’t want to say ‘no!’ He has the most gorgeous blue eyes and kind smile! And then his friend came over and sat down too! Two great looking guys were sitting at the table with me!! And guess what they were studying! They both had these huge law books and said they were getting ready to defend a big lawsuit. Apparently they work for this big law firm down the street.
“Katie, you have to come meet these guys so I won’t look so stupid! You are so smart and beautiful that I KNOW they will want to ask us both out! You can talk to them about the big case you just won in court! They might even help you get on with their law firm. I know you have wanted to work some place more prestigious. We could both marry these handsome, rich, successful lawyers and live happily ever after! This is a win, win situation for both of us!”
Can you find evidence of the Holy Spirit’s fruit of kindness in this scenario? How many different ways did Sarah try to manipulate?
Did this make you think of an example where someone used manipulation instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to exhibit kindness in his or her life? We’d love to hear your story. Write to us at contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit kindness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
“Katie! Katie!! Katie!!! Katie!!!! You HAVE to come meet my new friend!!!!!” Sarah bounced as she drug Katie down the sidewalk. “There I was just sitting in the library minding my own business when this good-looking guy asked if he could share the table with me. Of course, I didn’t want to say ‘no!’ He has the most gorgeous blue eyes and kind smile! And then his friend came over and sat down too! Two great looking guys were sitting at the table with me!! And guess what they were studying! They both had these huge law books and said they were getting ready to defend a big lawsuit. Apparently they work for this big law firm down the street.
“Katie, you have to come meet these guys so I won’t look so stupid! You are so smart and beautiful that I KNOW they will want to ask us both out! You can talk to them about the big case you just won in court! They might even help you get on with their law firm. I know you have wanted to work some place more prestigious. We could both marry these handsome, rich, successful lawyers and live happily ever after! This is a win, win situation for both of us!”
Can you find evidence of the Holy Spirit’s fruit of kindness in this scenario? How many different ways did Sarah try to manipulate?
Did this make you think of an example where someone used manipulation instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to exhibit kindness in his or her life? We’d love to hear your story. Write to us at contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit kindness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
Monday, January 30, 2012
"Come on over for dinner."
In chapter 3 of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life, the Insight Journal asks you to consider various scenarios when a situation would be ministry (seeking your best interest) versus when it would be manipulation (seeking my best interest). What do you think about this one?
Rachel sat in small group on Sunday morning musing over each couple around her. Who should she invite to come over for dinner on Saturday night? It had been a long time since she and Jake had invited anyone to come over because they had been working so diligently on remodeling their kitchen. What a chore that had been!
It was terribly obvious that the kitchen cabinets had seen better days. Her children had scratched and scarred them with a variety of toys. The laminate counter tops betrayed the many times that Rachel was less than proficient in the kitchen. The linoleum looked like it was a hundred years old! Sharpie markers added memorable graffiti! The stove still had those stupid coils and the drip pans were rusted. Rachel had imagined the pride she would feel if she could produce ice to serve with a cold drink without having to dig in the ice trays of the freezer! And finally, that opportunity could be realized!
Matt and Leah graciously hosted a party at their house last summer. It was a fun time as everyone gathered in the yard enjoying hotdogs and hamburgers. Each person brought their own lawn chairs and enjoyed the lightening bugs at twilight. The guys swapped grilling secrets and the ladies shared the latest escapades of their children. Even though the evening chill threatened to end the gathering, no one wanted to go home because the relaxation and camaraderie were so refreshing.
“Let’s invite Matt and Leah to come over for dinner on Saturday night,” Rachel proposed.
“Sounds like a good idea. Let’s do it,” Jake agreed.
Rachel bordered on having a panic attack all through the week as she prepared for Saturday’s company. She wanted every detail to be perfect. Not only did every thing have to be in its perfect place in the renovated kitchen, but the meal had to be perfect too! Sunday morning’s small group discussion would hopefully be all about Leah’s rave reviews of their time together. How exciting it would be if everyone wanted to come and see Rachel’s amazing new kitchen and enjoy the delicacies that she could now create! That stay-at-home-mom stigma would be erased forever!
So, what do you think? Was Rachel exhibiting the Holy Spirit’s fruit of kindness or was she manipulating?
Can you think of another example when kindness was counterfeited with manipulation? We’d love to hear your story. Send it to contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit kindness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
Rachel sat in small group on Sunday morning musing over each couple around her. Who should she invite to come over for dinner on Saturday night? It had been a long time since she and Jake had invited anyone to come over because they had been working so diligently on remodeling their kitchen. What a chore that had been!
It was terribly obvious that the kitchen cabinets had seen better days. Her children had scratched and scarred them with a variety of toys. The laminate counter tops betrayed the many times that Rachel was less than proficient in the kitchen. The linoleum looked like it was a hundred years old! Sharpie markers added memorable graffiti! The stove still had those stupid coils and the drip pans were rusted. Rachel had imagined the pride she would feel if she could produce ice to serve with a cold drink without having to dig in the ice trays of the freezer! And finally, that opportunity could be realized!
Matt and Leah graciously hosted a party at their house last summer. It was a fun time as everyone gathered in the yard enjoying hotdogs and hamburgers. Each person brought their own lawn chairs and enjoyed the lightening bugs at twilight. The guys swapped grilling secrets and the ladies shared the latest escapades of their children. Even though the evening chill threatened to end the gathering, no one wanted to go home because the relaxation and camaraderie were so refreshing.
“Let’s invite Matt and Leah to come over for dinner on Saturday night,” Rachel proposed.
“Sounds like a good idea. Let’s do it,” Jake agreed.
Rachel bordered on having a panic attack all through the week as she prepared for Saturday’s company. She wanted every detail to be perfect. Not only did every thing have to be in its perfect place in the renovated kitchen, but the meal had to be perfect too! Sunday morning’s small group discussion would hopefully be all about Leah’s rave reviews of their time together. How exciting it would be if everyone wanted to come and see Rachel’s amazing new kitchen and enjoy the delicacies that she could now create! That stay-at-home-mom stigma would be erased forever!
So, what do you think? Was Rachel exhibiting the Holy Spirit’s fruit of kindness or was she manipulating?
Can you think of another example when kindness was counterfeited with manipulation? We’d love to hear your story. Send it to contact@desperatedependency.com.
Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit kindness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Christmas Manipulation
In a previous blog post (click here to be reminded) we elaborated on how we counterfeit the Holy Spirit’s fruit of kindness by using manipulation that results in anger. The recent Christmas season reminded us of an example of what this looks like.
Johnny loved to spend his time wishing in the toy catalogs at Christmas time. As soon as the first catalog appeared in the mailbox he began planning how to be the best little boy possible so that he could get everything on his Christmas wish list!! He would spend hours dreaming about the best Christmas presents, but when his mom asked him to take out the trash he would jump to the task! He was Johnny-on-the-spot when the dishwasher needed to be emptied and even swept the kitchen floor without being asked!! He made sure the dog always had enough water and the cat food bowl was always filled. He did everything he could to earn enough brownie points to get what he wanted for Christmas!
One Christmas Johnny had picked out the perfect bicycle. He pondered each color available. He considered the shape of each seat. He learned about the different kinds of brake systems and determined the best kind of gear shifter. He knew exactly what he wanted, and he tried to make sure everyone else knew too.
But, on Christmas morning there was no bike for Johnny under the tree!! He stomped and shouted so loudly that everyone came rushing to see what the tirade was all about! His fit of rage echoed through the family history for decades, even though the perfect bicycle was waiting outside the door all along.
Would you be willing to share a time when you noticed that someone counterfeited kindness with manipulation? Send your story to contact@desperatedependency.com.
Johnny loved to spend his time wishing in the toy catalogs at Christmas time. As soon as the first catalog appeared in the mailbox he began planning how to be the best little boy possible so that he could get everything on his Christmas wish list!! He would spend hours dreaming about the best Christmas presents, but when his mom asked him to take out the trash he would jump to the task! He was Johnny-on-the-spot when the dishwasher needed to be emptied and even swept the kitchen floor without being asked!! He made sure the dog always had enough water and the cat food bowl was always filled. He did everything he could to earn enough brownie points to get what he wanted for Christmas!
One Christmas Johnny had picked out the perfect bicycle. He pondered each color available. He considered the shape of each seat. He learned about the different kinds of brake systems and determined the best kind of gear shifter. He knew exactly what he wanted, and he tried to make sure everyone else knew too.
But, on Christmas morning there was no bike for Johnny under the tree!! He stomped and shouted so loudly that everyone came rushing to see what the tirade was all about! His fit of rage echoed through the family history for decades, even though the perfect bicycle was waiting outside the door all along.
Would you be willing to share a time when you noticed that someone counterfeited kindness with manipulation? Send your story to contact@desperatedependency.com.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Counterfeit Fruit Summary
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
This post concludes this series as we have been assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Our efforts to control our lives produce undesirable results. But still we attempt to counterfeit God’s design for our lives through our own efforts. With tenacity we persist in demanding that our way must work. And so we continue to counterfeit the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Deceived, we believe the fruit of the Spirit is merely the best side of humanity. If we try hard enough we can manufacture this fruit consistently in our lives. But living a life that is desperately dependent on Christ necessitates yielding to His Spirit’s movement as we cease endeavoring to produce our own fruit. We are incapable of producing His fruit on our own vines; we can only produce His fruit as we are grafted into His vine.
Too often our dishonesty is apparent when we pretend we are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, when in actuality we are only displaying the counterfeit fruit of the flesh. When the culmination of the counterfeits becomes evident in our lives, our deception is unmasked. We create our own version of genuineness and attempt to convince those around us that we are virtuous. Without recognizing God’s absolute truth, we elevate our personal perspective as truth that should be upheld. By espousing statements such as “I honestly believe you should . . .” we promote our beliefs above God’s truth and deceive others. After all, we say, “I am being honest.” Although we may assert we are being honest, we pervert the virtue of honesty to be equivalent to God’s truth. Our so-called honesty is really a cover for being dishonest with God. We elevate our perception above God’s truth. Believing our own deception, we prevent movement toward God. Psalm 119:29 (NLT) acknowledges that we deceive ourselves:
“Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.”
As we understand God’s instructions more completely, we can destroy the power of the lies that keep us from desperately depending on God for our sufficiency. Free from the culminations of the counterfeits, we can experience the abundance of His authentic fruit.
We must realize that it is our attempts to be independent from God that are destroying our lives. God designed humanity to live in a relationship dependent on Him, but our desire is for God to empower life on our terms. God offers love, joy, peace, and patience, but we counterfeit His fruit by being self-centered, pleasure oriented, comfort seeking, and controlling. Our meager efforts culminate with emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration. We cannot have optimal fulfillment apart from what we were created to be: complete in Christ.
Consider:
What do I need to let go of so the Holy Spirit's fruit can be evidenced in my life?
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
This post concludes this series as we have been assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Our efforts to control our lives produce undesirable results. But still we attempt to counterfeit God’s design for our lives through our own efforts. With tenacity we persist in demanding that our way must work. And so we continue to counterfeit the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Deceived, we believe the fruit of the Spirit is merely the best side of humanity. If we try hard enough we can manufacture this fruit consistently in our lives. But living a life that is desperately dependent on Christ necessitates yielding to His Spirit’s movement as we cease endeavoring to produce our own fruit. We are incapable of producing His fruit on our own vines; we can only produce His fruit as we are grafted into His vine.
Too often our dishonesty is apparent when we pretend we are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, when in actuality we are only displaying the counterfeit fruit of the flesh. When the culmination of the counterfeits becomes evident in our lives, our deception is unmasked. We create our own version of genuineness and attempt to convince those around us that we are virtuous. Without recognizing God’s absolute truth, we elevate our personal perspective as truth that should be upheld. By espousing statements such as “I honestly believe you should . . .” we promote our beliefs above God’s truth and deceive others. After all, we say, “I am being honest.” Although we may assert we are being honest, we pervert the virtue of honesty to be equivalent to God’s truth. Our so-called honesty is really a cover for being dishonest with God. We elevate our perception above God’s truth. Believing our own deception, we prevent movement toward God. Psalm 119:29 (NLT) acknowledges that we deceive ourselves:
“Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.”
As we understand God’s instructions more completely, we can destroy the power of the lies that keep us from desperately depending on God for our sufficiency. Free from the culminations of the counterfeits, we can experience the abundance of His authentic fruit.
We must realize that it is our attempts to be independent from God that are destroying our lives. God designed humanity to live in a relationship dependent on Him, but our desire is for God to empower life on our terms. God offers love, joy, peace, and patience, but we counterfeit His fruit by being self-centered, pleasure oriented, comfort seeking, and controlling. Our meager efforts culminate with emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration. We cannot have optimal fulfillment apart from what we were created to be: complete in Christ.
Consider:
What do I need to let go of so the Holy Spirit's fruit can be evidenced in my life?
Monday, January 9, 2012
Counterfeit Self-Control
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions? Are you trying to succeed with your own self-control, or are you allowing the Holy Spirit's fruit of self-control to pervade in your life?
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
In this current series of blog posts we are assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Self-Control > Self-Indulgence > Discouragement
The presence of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives offers us the fruit of self-control. Self-control is the fruit that enables us to deny self. This is not the ability to control ourselves, but it is the freedom from being controlled by the desires of the flesh. Through divine enablement we are empowered to say no to our personal desires. Here, we have been granted the divine ability to fulfill the will of God by saying yes to the desires of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16–17, 24).
Yet self-indulgence, as counterfeiting self-control, emphasizes the putting off of personal restraint and giving in to the desires of fleshly longings. Only when the desire is certainly more painful than it is potentially pleasurable does one say no. The flesh will barely refuse gratification when certain pain is obvious and the destructive consequences are seen as immediate, undeniable, and depriving pleasure. Hence there must be a discernible level of self-indulgence found in self-restraint before the flesh is willing to concede. Otherwise, we opt to give in to whatever is pleasurable and self-fulfilling.
It is accurate to proclaim that the crown and glory of all the fruit of the flesh is self-indulgence. It is the expected reward for having labored in the vineyard of self-centeredness. Happiness is the illusive prize.
Our interest in indulgence is proportionate to our self-centeredness. The more we are concerned with self-promotion and self-preservation, the more we yearn to be indulged. We say, in essence, “Because I want to be promoted, I want you to promote me. Without your efforts on my behalf, I feel I am being deprived of what is necessary to make me happy. I expect you to promote and serve my interest.”
The continuous pursuit of pleasure-producing indulgences culminates in discouragement. The eventual outcome of self-indulgence is discouragement because we want what we want, but our wants are never satisfied. Then we move to a new set of desires, believing these new choices will produce the ultimate fulfillment. This may even be labeled as a midlife crisis. Perhaps you did not have the family you wanted, the body shape and size you desired, the socioeconomic status you preferred, or your ideal job. Maybe you have been striving to make someone else happy, or you want him or her to make you happy. But you never settle in the place of contentment, and so you continue your search, only to end in despair and discouragement.
Discouragement embodies the loss of hope that we can promote and preserve self in a fashion that will produce the greatest fulfillment. Provoked by the inability to effect environmental changes to generate love, significance, and security, we continue with self-indulgence. Discouragement pervades over the fact that we have failed to create a platform powerful enough to make a difference in our lives that would sedate our emotional concerns or stimulate our ambitious yearnings.
Consider this example of a husband with three children who is unfaithful to his wife. He does not want to leave his wife, but he wants to have his girlfriend. He lies, deceives, and connives to keep one a secret and the other satisfied. It all comes to be exposed: “You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23 NLT). The children come to hate their father. The father wants the kids to love him, he wants to continue with his wife, and he wants to keep his girlfriend. Instead, he loses everything he had and everything he hoped to gain.
“The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength” (Deut. 6:4–5 NLT).
Ultimately there is nothing that can impart contentment apart from Christ. We flit from bloom to bloom looking for the nectar of life, but only God is able to provide true satisfaction. The spiritual fruit of self-control is experienced through dependence on the Spirit of God so we do not have to depend on ourselves. His divine enablement leads to personal empowerment. If you find yourself experiencing the symptom of discouragement, consider what means of self-indulgence you are employing to counterfeit God’s fruit of self-control.
As we submit to the Holy Spirit, we will see evidence of the Spirit’s fruit of self-control in our lives when we renounce self-indulgence that gives way to discouragement.
Insight Journal:
I remember a time in my life when I tried to pursue my own desires but ended up with discouragement even though I attained my goal. (Write the story.)
How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions? Are you trying to succeed with your own self-control, or are you allowing the Holy Spirit's fruit of self-control to pervade in your life?
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
In this current series of blog posts we are assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Self-Control > Self-Indulgence > Discouragement
The presence of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives offers us the fruit of self-control. Self-control is the fruit that enables us to deny self. This is not the ability to control ourselves, but it is the freedom from being controlled by the desires of the flesh. Through divine enablement we are empowered to say no to our personal desires. Here, we have been granted the divine ability to fulfill the will of God by saying yes to the desires of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16–17, 24).
Yet self-indulgence, as counterfeiting self-control, emphasizes the putting off of personal restraint and giving in to the desires of fleshly longings. Only when the desire is certainly more painful than it is potentially pleasurable does one say no. The flesh will barely refuse gratification when certain pain is obvious and the destructive consequences are seen as immediate, undeniable, and depriving pleasure. Hence there must be a discernible level of self-indulgence found in self-restraint before the flesh is willing to concede. Otherwise, we opt to give in to whatever is pleasurable and self-fulfilling.
It is accurate to proclaim that the crown and glory of all the fruit of the flesh is self-indulgence. It is the expected reward for having labored in the vineyard of self-centeredness. Happiness is the illusive prize.
Our interest in indulgence is proportionate to our self-centeredness. The more we are concerned with self-promotion and self-preservation, the more we yearn to be indulged. We say, in essence, “Because I want to be promoted, I want you to promote me. Without your efforts on my behalf, I feel I am being deprived of what is necessary to make me happy. I expect you to promote and serve my interest.”
The continuous pursuit of pleasure-producing indulgences culminates in discouragement. The eventual outcome of self-indulgence is discouragement because we want what we want, but our wants are never satisfied. Then we move to a new set of desires, believing these new choices will produce the ultimate fulfillment. This may even be labeled as a midlife crisis. Perhaps you did not have the family you wanted, the body shape and size you desired, the socioeconomic status you preferred, or your ideal job. Maybe you have been striving to make someone else happy, or you want him or her to make you happy. But you never settle in the place of contentment, and so you continue your search, only to end in despair and discouragement.
Discouragement embodies the loss of hope that we can promote and preserve self in a fashion that will produce the greatest fulfillment. Provoked by the inability to effect environmental changes to generate love, significance, and security, we continue with self-indulgence. Discouragement pervades over the fact that we have failed to create a platform powerful enough to make a difference in our lives that would sedate our emotional concerns or stimulate our ambitious yearnings.
Consider this example of a husband with three children who is unfaithful to his wife. He does not want to leave his wife, but he wants to have his girlfriend. He lies, deceives, and connives to keep one a secret and the other satisfied. It all comes to be exposed: “You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23 NLT). The children come to hate their father. The father wants the kids to love him, he wants to continue with his wife, and he wants to keep his girlfriend. Instead, he loses everything he had and everything he hoped to gain.
“The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength” (Deut. 6:4–5 NLT).
Ultimately there is nothing that can impart contentment apart from Christ. We flit from bloom to bloom looking for the nectar of life, but only God is able to provide true satisfaction. The spiritual fruit of self-control is experienced through dependence on the Spirit of God so we do not have to depend on ourselves. His divine enablement leads to personal empowerment. If you find yourself experiencing the symptom of discouragement, consider what means of self-indulgence you are employing to counterfeit God’s fruit of self-control.
As we submit to the Holy Spirit, we will see evidence of the Spirit’s fruit of self-control in our lives when we renounce self-indulgence that gives way to discouragement.
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Rom. 8:5–6 NLT).
Insight Journal:
I remember a time in my life when I tried to pursue my own desires but ended up with discouragement even though I attained my goal. (Write the story.)
Monday, January 2, 2012
Counterfeit Gentleness
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Are you at risk of counterfeiting gentleness as you return your Christmas gifts?
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
In this current series of blog posts we are assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Gentleness > Selfish Ambition > Alienation
Gentleness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to reflect God’s grace to the world. Grace is God’s power to live that enables us to fulfill His will and be complete. The transforming presence of Christ establishes the order of our souls so we can convey God’s grace through gentleness. As God’s Spirit produces gentleness in our lives, He establishes our attitude, fashions our approach, and directs our actions with others. When we are blessed with the fruit of gentleness, His abundant supply must overflow into the lives of others. With humble selflessness we are compelled to transmit His power to live. We cannot be content with merely possessing the attitude of gentleness, but as representatives of God to others, we must display His fruit through our actions.
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13 NASB).
Without God’s grace, selfish ambition asserts, “I must be served”; “My way must be followed”; and “I am right.” Having control over life’s resources is seen as the priority and must be the object of life’s pursuit. Selfish ambition is not concerned with the welfare of others but with the power we have over our domain. It is through this perception of strength that we derive our sense of self-sufficiency. With continuous resolve we persist in our selfish ambition.
Our exhausted supply of resources leaves us alienated. Loneliness invades as our thwarted efforts become evident. The emptiness of our hearts tempts us to continue the vicious cycle of seeking God-substitutes to fill the void. With continued resolve we contrive another plan of employing people, positions, and possessions for our power to live. Eventually the futility of the endeavor becomes evident through social rejection, compromised health, and a lack of personal energy to pursue the pathological dream. Alienated souls now stand stranded beside the road they thought would take them to the place of completion.
“See, they are all foolish, worthless things.
All your idols are as empty as the wind” (Isa. 41:29 NLT).
If you find yourself experiencing the symptom of alienation, consider what means of selfish ambition you are employing to counterfeit God’s fruit of gentleness. We can exemplify the fruit of gentleness when we relinquish our selfish ambition and its resulting alienation. Enabled by the Spirit, I can reflect God’s grace.
“Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth” (2 Tim. 2:25 NLT).
Insight Journal:
Describe a situation in which you used selfish ambition instead of relying on the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness. How would this situation be described differently if you were relying on the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness?
Are you at risk of counterfeiting gentleness as you return your Christmas gifts?
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
In this current series of blog posts we are assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Gentleness > Selfish Ambition > Alienation
Gentleness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to reflect God’s grace to the world. Grace is God’s power to live that enables us to fulfill His will and be complete. The transforming presence of Christ establishes the order of our souls so we can convey God’s grace through gentleness. As God’s Spirit produces gentleness in our lives, He establishes our attitude, fashions our approach, and directs our actions with others. When we are blessed with the fruit of gentleness, His abundant supply must overflow into the lives of others. With humble selflessness we are compelled to transmit His power to live. We cannot be content with merely possessing the attitude of gentleness, but as representatives of God to others, we must display His fruit through our actions.
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13 NASB).
Without God’s grace, selfish ambition asserts, “I must be served”; “My way must be followed”; and “I am right.” Having control over life’s resources is seen as the priority and must be the object of life’s pursuit. Selfish ambition is not concerned with the welfare of others but with the power we have over our domain. It is through this perception of strength that we derive our sense of self-sufficiency. With continuous resolve we persist in our selfish ambition.
Our exhausted supply of resources leaves us alienated. Loneliness invades as our thwarted efforts become evident. The emptiness of our hearts tempts us to continue the vicious cycle of seeking God-substitutes to fill the void. With continued resolve we contrive another plan of employing people, positions, and possessions for our power to live. Eventually the futility of the endeavor becomes evident through social rejection, compromised health, and a lack of personal energy to pursue the pathological dream. Alienated souls now stand stranded beside the road they thought would take them to the place of completion.
“See, they are all foolish, worthless things.
All your idols are as empty as the wind” (Isa. 41:29 NLT).
If you find yourself experiencing the symptom of alienation, consider what means of selfish ambition you are employing to counterfeit God’s fruit of gentleness. We can exemplify the fruit of gentleness when we relinquish our selfish ambition and its resulting alienation. Enabled by the Spirit, I can reflect God’s grace.
“Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth” (2 Tim. 2:25 NLT).
Insight Journal:
Describe a situation in which you used selfish ambition instead of relying on the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness. How would this situation be described differently if you were relying on the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness?
Monday, December 26, 2011
Counterfeit Faithfulness
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
The New Year lies ahead of us. Will you enter 2012 trusting Christ and relying on His truth, or is your anxiety revealing that you are attempting to counterfeit faithfulness?
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
In this current series of blog posts we are assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Faithfulness > Pretense > Anxiety
Magnificently, Christ sent the Holy Spirit to fill our lives with faith. Faithfulness is the fruit that enables us to trust Christ and rely continuously upon His truth. This fruit of faithfulness is not about our being worthy of trust, but recognizing God as being worthy of trust, which leads to a constant reliance on Him.
The faith given by the Spirit is intricately involved in connecting to God. It is essential to pleasing God and possessing His power. Through this divine fruit we can accomplish His purposes. Here again we see the reciprocal relationship of divine enablement leading to personal empowerment: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13 NASB).
In our human declaration of independence, we confidently communicate we are full of faith. But the faith we possess is faith in ourselves instead of faith in Christ. Perhaps we attempt to convey we enjoy a significant relationship with Christ, but no impact is evident.
Too often we choose to counterfeit faith when we pretend we can handle everything. A crisis quickly exposes the pretense when anxiety invades. In the midst of anxiety we give mental energy to the resolving of our own problems as opposed to trusting God to resolve our problems. Our feeble attempts are lacking without genuine trust in Christ. Trust either waits on God to provide direction or it acts on what God has already instructed. If you find yourself experiencing the symptom of anxiety, consider what means of pretense you may be employing to counterfeit God’s fruit of faithfulness.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. . . . They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (2 Tim. 3:1, 5 NLT).
We will evidence the fruit of faithfulness when we lay aside our pretense and its resulting anxiety in exchange for trusting Christ. “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Heb. 11:6 NLT).
Insight Journal:
Describe a situation in which you used pretense instead of relying on the Spirit’s fruit of faithfulness. How would this situation be described differently if you were relying on the Spirit’s fruit of faithfulness?
The New Year lies ahead of us. Will you enter 2012 trusting Christ and relying on His truth, or is your anxiety revealing that you are attempting to counterfeit faithfulness?
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
In this current series of blog posts we are assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Faithfulness > Pretense > Anxiety
Magnificently, Christ sent the Holy Spirit to fill our lives with faith. Faithfulness is the fruit that enables us to trust Christ and rely continuously upon His truth. This fruit of faithfulness is not about our being worthy of trust, but recognizing God as being worthy of trust, which leads to a constant reliance on Him.
The faith given by the Spirit is intricately involved in connecting to God. It is essential to pleasing God and possessing His power. Through this divine fruit we can accomplish His purposes. Here again we see the reciprocal relationship of divine enablement leading to personal empowerment: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13 NASB).
In our human declaration of independence, we confidently communicate we are full of faith. But the faith we possess is faith in ourselves instead of faith in Christ. Perhaps we attempt to convey we enjoy a significant relationship with Christ, but no impact is evident.
“People may be right in their own eyes,Without a connection to truth that is facilitated by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we cannot even be aware of our pretense. “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Heb. 4:12 NLT). God wills for us to know the truth and He is constantly revealing truth. But when we demand our independence, we persist in the lies and perpetrate the pretense.
but the LORD examines their heart” (Prov. 21:2 NLT).
Too often we choose to counterfeit faith when we pretend we can handle everything. A crisis quickly exposes the pretense when anxiety invades. In the midst of anxiety we give mental energy to the resolving of our own problems as opposed to trusting God to resolve our problems. Our feeble attempts are lacking without genuine trust in Christ. Trust either waits on God to provide direction or it acts on what God has already instructed. If you find yourself experiencing the symptom of anxiety, consider what means of pretense you may be employing to counterfeit God’s fruit of faithfulness.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. . . . They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (2 Tim. 3:1, 5 NLT).
We will evidence the fruit of faithfulness when we lay aside our pretense and its resulting anxiety in exchange for trusting Christ. “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Heb. 11:6 NLT).
Insight Journal:
Describe a situation in which you used pretense instead of relying on the Spirit’s fruit of faithfulness. How would this situation be described differently if you were relying on the Spirit’s fruit of faithfulness?
Monday, December 19, 2011
Counterfeit Goodness
(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
Are you on the naughty or the nice list?
Don't settle for just being nice when you can be overflowing with goodness!
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
In this current series of blog posts we are assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Goodness > Exploitation > Inadequacy
Goodness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to exemplify God’s moral nature. When the Holy Spirit is resident in our lives, His qualities transform us into God’s image, enabling us to treat others with holiness. That is goodness. It can only reflect what is godly. It bears no ill will and concerns itself only with the mind and mission of God to humanity.
Identifying Jesus as a good man, the rich young ruler was met with the following retort: “‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus asked him. ‘Only God is truly good’” (Luke 18:19 NLT). Because only God is good, only His Spirit can produce goodness in our lives. Goodness is a trademark of a life exhibiting the character of Christ. Apart from a relationship with Him, goodness cannot be concocted.
The fruit of the flesh equates goodness with being nice. Unaided by God’s Spirit we calculate how to behave in the most socially acceptable way to subtly access and use life resources to meet perceived needs. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, exploitation conceals itself in the disguise of being nice. Exploitation thinks in terms of how the world benefits self. People, positions, and possessions are evaluated based on their utility for personal gain. Goodness operates without sinful intent, not violating others’ God-given rights, with no hidden agendas, and springs from a relationship of purity. Exploitation concerns itself with the mind and mission of self to accomplish the four goals of the flesh.
We will evidence the fruit of goodness when we forgo exploitation with its resulting inadequacy in order to exemplify Christ in all that we do. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (Phil. 2:3–4 NLT).
Insight Journal:
Describe a situation in which you used exploitation instead of relying on the Spirit’s fruit of goodness. How would this situation be described differently if you were relying on the Spirit’s fruit of kindness?
Are you on the naughty or the nice list?
Don't settle for just being nice when you can be overflowing with goodness!
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). The fruit of the Spirit encompasses the distinctiveness of God. No human plantation can create a vineyard such as His. God is the divine husbandman. He plants the vine and prunes it precisely to produce the fruit He wants. This fruit completes His portrait so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ through our lives.
In this current series of blog posts we are assessing the fruit God wishes to produce through His Spirit. But in our desire for independence we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design. Desiring all He has for us but not willing to give all we are to Him, we endeavor to circumvent His plan by producing our fruit of the flesh. Our miserable efforts culminate in disastrous results: emptiness, futility, turmoil, and frustration to name a few. Obtaining an education as a fruit inspector will prepare us to distinguish between the authentic fruit of the Spirit and the counterfeit fruit of the flesh.
Goodness > Exploitation > Inadequacy
Goodness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to exemplify God’s moral nature. When the Holy Spirit is resident in our lives, His qualities transform us into God’s image, enabling us to treat others with holiness. That is goodness. It can only reflect what is godly. It bears no ill will and concerns itself only with the mind and mission of God to humanity.
Identifying Jesus as a good man, the rich young ruler was met with the following retort: “‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus asked him. ‘Only God is truly good’” (Luke 18:19 NLT). Because only God is good, only His Spirit can produce goodness in our lives. Goodness is a trademark of a life exhibiting the character of Christ. Apart from a relationship with Him, goodness cannot be concocted.
The fruit of the flesh equates goodness with being nice. Unaided by God’s Spirit we calculate how to behave in the most socially acceptable way to subtly access and use life resources to meet perceived needs. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, exploitation conceals itself in the disguise of being nice. Exploitation thinks in terms of how the world benefits self. People, positions, and possessions are evaluated based on their utility for personal gain. Goodness operates without sinful intent, not violating others’ God-given rights, with no hidden agendas, and springs from a relationship of purity. Exploitation concerns itself with the mind and mission of self to accomplish the four goals of the flesh.
• Promote the best interest of selfThe ultimate conclusion of attempting to accomplish these goals is the culmination of inadequacy. A sense of insufficiency seizes control when failure to achieve satisfaction highlights our weakness. The reality of this inadequacy mocks us with the folly of our way. We are inadequate in the role of God. We have no power to produce change within ourselves apart from the enabling of the Holy Spirit. Only through God can we exemplify goodness; otherwise we settle for merely being socially appropriate. If you find yourself experiencing the symptom of inadequacy, consider what means of exploitation you are employing to counterfeit God’s fruit of goodness.
• Procure the greatest pleasure for self
• Promise the most comfort for self
• Produce the maximum control over self
We will evidence the fruit of goodness when we forgo exploitation with its resulting inadequacy in order to exemplify Christ in all that we do. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (Phil. 2:3–4 NLT).
Insight Journal:
Describe a situation in which you used exploitation instead of relying on the Spirit’s fruit of goodness. How would this situation be described differently if you were relying on the Spirit’s fruit of kindness?
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