Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,
17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love,
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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This is one of my very favorite passages. It has been absolutely key to my own spiritual development. In June 2008, about a month after I took over this mailing list, I wrote about this passage for the first time. Here's what I said:
"This is Paul praying for all of us to attain spiritual maturity – to “be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,” and to comprehend “the breadth and length and height and depth” of Christ’s love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
This is a description of the abundant life that Jesus came to give us (John 10:10). What do I need to do to get it? From above, it appears that I can’t get this on my own – I need to pray to have God give me this grace. My strategy is to let the Word enrich me, to strive for obedience, to pursue the sacraments regularly (i.e. Eucharist and reconciliation), and to pray for God to strengthen my inner self with his Spirit. The last part is undoubtedly a stumbling block for men, who are very much used to solving problems themselves. In this case though, Paul is clear. This abundance is granted from God, and I need to make myself available to Him."
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After a couple of years of pursuing this point, I've learned that this passage is describing what occurs when a person becomes spiritually united with Christ -- when we have completely submitted our own wills to God, which allows our wills to become fully aligned with His.
Paul didn't have the words to describe it, but over the history of the Church God has given us others who have been able to better put this into words. The two saints that have been most recognized for describing this are St. Teresa of Avila (in "Way of Perfection" and "The Interior Castle"), and St. John of the Cross (in "Ascent of Mt. Carmel" and "Dark Night of the Soul."). These are two who became the "holy ones" that St. Paul mentions in verse 18.
This subject is too broad and deep to cover in this type of format. What I can tell you though, is that the path to spiritual union -- to "comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge" is OPEN for all of us. We are all called to it. Christ tells us that the gate is narrow and the path is constricted, but the path IS THERE for us. It requires conscious effort on our part, which lays the foundation for God to do His work in us.
Here's how the Catechism describes it:
2012 "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him . . . For those whom he fore knew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified."
2013 "All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity." All are called to holiness: "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
In order to reach this perfection the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ's gift, so that . . . doing the will of the Father in everything, they may wholeheartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor. Thus the holiness of the People of God will grow in fruitful abundance, as is clearly shown in the history of the Church through the lives of so many saints.
2014 Spiritual progress tends toward ever more intimate union with Christ. This union is called "mystical" because it participates in the mystery of Christ through the sacraments - "the holy mysteries" - and, in him, in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. God calls us all to this intimate union with him, even if the special graces or extraordinary signs of this mystical life are granted only to some for the sake of manifesting the gratuitous gift given to all.
2015 The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes:
He who climbs never stops going from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no end. He never stops desiring what he already knows.
2016 The children of our holy mother the Church rightly hope for the grace of final perseverance and the recompense of God their Father for the good works accomplished with his grace in communion with Jesus. Keeping the same rule of life, believers share the "blessed hope" of those whom the divine mercy gathers into the "holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
Showing posts with label - From Flesh to Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label - From Flesh to Spirit. Show all posts
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Daily - 7/8/2010
John 13:34-35
34 I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
35 This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
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Last night I was reading the autobiography of St. Therese and she talked about the value she got from meditating on this passage. So I decided to give that a try.
Have you ever thought about what it means to love one another as Christ has loved? Here are some examples from the Scriptures of how he loved, just off the top of my head:
- He responded to the needs of those who came to Him
- He gave food to the hungry
- He taught people about the Kingdom of God
- He prayed for them
- He told us we are to love our enemies
- He forgave those who offended him (ie, sinned against HIM)
- He served others
- He told us that if someone asks for our coat, we are to give him our cloak too
- He prayed for those who tortured Him
- He laid down His life for us
According to the passage above - this list and more is what Jesus COMMANDS us to do. He doesn't ask or suggest, he commands. Commands!
In addition, he says that it is by following this command that people will know we are His disciples.
Impossible? Yes, if we try to do this without Him. But with Him, all things are possible.
If I truly seek the Lord and His righteousness, this is what I should try to do, and I should trust that He will give me the grace to help me and strengthen me as I learn.
34 I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
35 This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
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Last night I was reading the autobiography of St. Therese and she talked about the value she got from meditating on this passage. So I decided to give that a try.
Have you ever thought about what it means to love one another as Christ has loved? Here are some examples from the Scriptures of how he loved, just off the top of my head:
- He responded to the needs of those who came to Him
- He gave food to the hungry
- He taught people about the Kingdom of God
- He prayed for them
- He told us we are to love our enemies
- He forgave those who offended him (ie, sinned against HIM)
- He served others
- He told us that if someone asks for our coat, we are to give him our cloak too
- He prayed for those who tortured Him
- He laid down His life for us
According to the passage above - this list and more is what Jesus COMMANDS us to do. He doesn't ask or suggest, he commands. Commands!
In addition, he says that it is by following this command that people will know we are His disciples.
Impossible? Yes, if we try to do this without Him. But with Him, all things are possible.
If I truly seek the Lord and His righteousness, this is what I should try to do, and I should trust that He will give me the grace to help me and strengthen me as I learn.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Daily - 6/30/2010
Last night I was reading the autobiography of St. Terese of Lieseux, and came across this. It's really worth reading and considering. This is the way life is for someone who lives "in the Spirit."
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Our Lord has no need of books or teachers to instruct our souls. He, the Teacher of Teachers, instructs us without any noise of words. I have never heard Him speak, yet I know He is within me. He is there, always guiding and inspiring me; and just when I need them, lights, hitherto unseen, break in. This is not as a rule during my prayers, but in the midst of my daily duties.
Sometimes, however, as this evening, at the close of a meditation spent in utter dryness, a word of comfort is given to me: "Here is the Master I give thee, He will teach thee all that thou shouldst do. I wish thee to read in the Book of Life in which is contained the science of love. . . ."
The Science of Love! How sweetly do these words echo in my soul! That science alone do I desire. Having given all my substance for it, like the Spouse in the Canticles, "I think that I have given nothing." After so many graces, may I not sing with the Psalmist that "the Lord is good, that His Mercy endureth for ever"? It seems to me that if everyone were to receive such favours God would be feared by none, but loved to excess; that no one would ever commit the least wilful fault—and this through love, not fear.
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Our Lord has no need of books or teachers to instruct our souls. He, the Teacher of Teachers, instructs us without any noise of words. I have never heard Him speak, yet I know He is within me. He is there, always guiding and inspiring me; and just when I need them, lights, hitherto unseen, break in. This is not as a rule during my prayers, but in the midst of my daily duties.
Sometimes, however, as this evening, at the close of a meditation spent in utter dryness, a word of comfort is given to me: "Here is the Master I give thee, He will teach thee all that thou shouldst do. I wish thee to read in the Book of Life in which is contained the science of love. . . ."
The Science of Love! How sweetly do these words echo in my soul! That science alone do I desire. Having given all my substance for it, like the Spouse in the Canticles, "I think that I have given nothing." After so many graces, may I not sing with the Psalmist that "the Lord is good, that His Mercy endureth for ever"? It seems to me that if everyone were to receive such favours God would be feared by none, but loved to excess; that no one would ever commit the least wilful fault—and this through love, not fear.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Daily - 1/8/09
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 - Baptism of Jesus
15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.
16 John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
...
21 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened
22 and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
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Welcome to Ordinary Time for 2010. We begin with the baptism of Christ. SIDE NOTE: This is one of three times in the Gospels where God the Father speaks from heaven. The other two times are at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13), and at the close of Christ's ministry immediately before the Passion (John 12:23-32).
John the Baptist had acquired a significant following. He continued his ministry after Jesus was baptised, but from that point on, he submitted completely to Christ. As John says, he -- who Christ said was the greatest of the prophets -- was not fit to loosen his sandals. We see this in
John 3:
25 Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings.
26 So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him."
27 John answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven.
28 You yourselves can testify that I said (that) I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him.
29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.
30 He must increase; I must decrease."
He must increase, I must decrease. That applies to anyone who wishes to put the flesh to death and live a life in the spirit. If we want to live the abundant life that Christ came to give us (John 10:10), we must lay ourselves down, and take on Christ. We need to do it over and over, as Christ shows us pieces of our life that we cling to and won't surrender.
I remember the first time I truly offered myself up to Christ, and meant it. I was scared and nervous, for myself, my own future, and for that of my family. I was scared of what I might have to give up to follow Him. I was scared of what God might do to me if I truly gave myself to Him.
I'd be lying if I said that those temptations have completely gone away. In fact, it seems that every time I learn of a new thing that I have to give up, they return to at least a small degree. What I can say, though, is that every time I have given something up for God, I have been rewarded in some manner or another, and that the reward has always exceeded whatever little sacrifice I might have made.
He must increase, I must decrease.
15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.
16 John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
...
21 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened
22 and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
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Welcome to Ordinary Time for 2010. We begin with the baptism of Christ. SIDE NOTE: This is one of three times in the Gospels where God the Father speaks from heaven. The other two times are at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13), and at the close of Christ's ministry immediately before the Passion (John 12:23-32).
John the Baptist had acquired a significant following. He continued his ministry after Jesus was baptised, but from that point on, he submitted completely to Christ. As John says, he -- who Christ said was the greatest of the prophets -- was not fit to loosen his sandals. We see this in
John 3:
25 Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings.
26 So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him."
27 John answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven.
28 You yourselves can testify that I said (that) I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him.
29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.
30 He must increase; I must decrease."
He must increase, I must decrease. That applies to anyone who wishes to put the flesh to death and live a life in the spirit. If we want to live the abundant life that Christ came to give us (John 10:10), we must lay ourselves down, and take on Christ. We need to do it over and over, as Christ shows us pieces of our life that we cling to and won't surrender.
I remember the first time I truly offered myself up to Christ, and meant it. I was scared and nervous, for myself, my own future, and for that of my family. I was scared of what I might have to give up to follow Him. I was scared of what God might do to me if I truly gave myself to Him.
I'd be lying if I said that those temptations have completely gone away. In fact, it seems that every time I learn of a new thing that I have to give up, they return to at least a small degree. What I can say, though, is that every time I have given something up for God, I have been rewarded in some manner or another, and that the reward has always exceeded whatever little sacrifice I might have made.
He must increase, I must decrease.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Daily - 9/18/09
Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,
4 and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.
----------------
Friday morning men's bible study was particularly good today. Ted Stann led us as we began Romans 5, and we spent a lot of time on these verses.
Verses 3-5 give me chills, and describe in a nutshell our journey of faith on this earth. We will undoubtedly suffer, but as we walk further along in our faith, we understand from our own experience that suffering DOES produce endurance, endurance DOES produce character, and character DOES produce hope. And hope does not disappoint.
The 9 of us in the room could unanimously testify to the truth of these words. We know they are true because we have lived them out.
Gotta love that.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,
4 and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.
----------------
Friday morning men's bible study was particularly good today. Ted Stann led us as we began Romans 5, and we spent a lot of time on these verses.
Verses 3-5 give me chills, and describe in a nutshell our journey of faith on this earth. We will undoubtedly suffer, but as we walk further along in our faith, we understand from our own experience that suffering DOES produce endurance, endurance DOES produce character, and character DOES produce hope. And hope does not disappoint.
The 9 of us in the room could unanimously testify to the truth of these words. We know they are true because we have lived them out.
Gotta love that.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Daily - 9/16/09
This is from St. Francis de Sales. I read this the other night in adoration and was struck by the truth it contains. I've had a few things go on recently that have shown how fulfilling a spiritual friendship can be, and how fruitful it is to invest in someone else's spiritual development.
Anyhow, I thought this was worth sharing as we approach the CRHP weekends. The kind of friendship described here is what is built in CRHP, and ultimately is what is renewing our parish.
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If your intercourse (ie, friendship) is based on science it is praiseworthy, still more if it arises from a participation in goodness, prudence, justice and the like; but if the bond of your mutual liking be charity, devotion and Christian perfection, God knows how very precious a friendship it is! Precious because it comes from God, because it tends to God, because God is the link that binds you, because it will last for ever in Him. Truly it is a blessed thing to love on earth as we hope to love in Heaven, and to begin that friendship here which is to endure for ever there.
I am not now speaking of simple charity, a love due to all mankind, but of that spiritual friendship which binds souls together, leading them to share devotions and spiritual interests, so as to have but one mind between them. Such as these may well cry out, “Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity!” Even so, for the “precious ointment” of devotion trickles continually from one heart to the other, so that truly we may say that to such friendship the Lord promises His Blessing and life for evermore. To my mind all other friendship is but as a shadow with respect to this, its links mere fragile glass compared to the golden bond of true devotion.
Introduction to the Devout Live
Part III, Chapter 19 - "Of Real Friendship"
Anyhow, I thought this was worth sharing as we approach the CRHP weekends. The kind of friendship described here is what is built in CRHP, and ultimately is what is renewing our parish.
---------
If your intercourse (ie, friendship) is based on science it is praiseworthy, still more if it arises from a participation in goodness, prudence, justice and the like; but if the bond of your mutual liking be charity, devotion and Christian perfection, God knows how very precious a friendship it is! Precious because it comes from God, because it tends to God, because God is the link that binds you, because it will last for ever in Him. Truly it is a blessed thing to love on earth as we hope to love in Heaven, and to begin that friendship here which is to endure for ever there.
I am not now speaking of simple charity, a love due to all mankind, but of that spiritual friendship which binds souls together, leading them to share devotions and spiritual interests, so as to have but one mind between them. Such as these may well cry out, “Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity!” Even so, for the “precious ointment” of devotion trickles continually from one heart to the other, so that truly we may say that to such friendship the Lord promises His Blessing and life for evermore. To my mind all other friendship is but as a shadow with respect to this, its links mere fragile glass compared to the golden bond of true devotion.
Introduction to the Devout Live
Part III, Chapter 19 - "Of Real Friendship"
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Daily - 9/9/09
Luke 6:27-38
27 "But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.
30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
34 If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit (is) that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.
35 But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful.
37 "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."
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There was a time when I was nearly protestant in my thinking, and very much caught up in the faith vs. works debate. Really, that whole discussion is an enormous waste of time that moves our focus away from where Christ wants it. In Luke 6, we see very clearly that Christ clearly calls us to a faith in action. Let's break it down:
Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. Give to everyone. Don't expect things back. Do to others as you'd have them to unto you. Be merciful. Stop judging. Stop condemning. Forgive. Give.
If I want to live a life in the spirit, these are the things I should be doing.
27 "But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.
30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
34 If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit (is) that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.
35 But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful.
37 "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."
------------
There was a time when I was nearly protestant in my thinking, and very much caught up in the faith vs. works debate. Really, that whole discussion is an enormous waste of time that moves our focus away from where Christ wants it. In Luke 6, we see very clearly that Christ clearly calls us to a faith in action. Let's break it down:
Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. Give to everyone. Don't expect things back. Do to others as you'd have them to unto you. Be merciful. Stop judging. Stop condemning. Forgive. Give.
If I want to live a life in the spirit, these are the things I should be doing.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Daily - 6/15/09
Matthew 5:43-48
43 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
--------------
All through the first third of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, Christ lays out an extremely high standard of living. Many say that it is so high that it is unreachable. In one sense, that is true. However, remember that as Christians, Christ is IN us. He is righteousness FOR us. Because we have that, we actually are capable of living to the standard that he sets in Matthew 5. If we could just get out of the way and let Him do His thing, the type of life he describes can occur. He gives us everything we need to live as "children of your heavenly father"
Really, this is the spiritual journey of our lives. If we remain in Christ ... obeying his commands, continually searching for Him, and opening up our hearts and minds to Him, we are transformed. Flesh is put to death, and we move to life in the Spirit.
Yesterday was the feast of Corpus Christi, the body and blood of Christ. In the Eucharist, he has given us the sustainance we need to get from what we are to the type of person Christ describes in today's passage. Through the Eucharist he gives us the graces we need to live the life to which He has called us. This is what the Catholic Church teaches, and after years of searching and praying, it is my testimony as well. The Eucharist is transforming me.
43 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
--------------
All through the first third of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, Christ lays out an extremely high standard of living. Many say that it is so high that it is unreachable. In one sense, that is true. However, remember that as Christians, Christ is IN us. He is righteousness FOR us. Because we have that, we actually are capable of living to the standard that he sets in Matthew 5. If we could just get out of the way and let Him do His thing, the type of life he describes can occur. He gives us everything we need to live as "children of your heavenly father"
Really, this is the spiritual journey of our lives. If we remain in Christ ... obeying his commands, continually searching for Him, and opening up our hearts and minds to Him, we are transformed. Flesh is put to death, and we move to life in the Spirit.
Yesterday was the feast of Corpus Christi, the body and blood of Christ. In the Eucharist, he has given us the sustainance we need to get from what we are to the type of person Christ describes in today's passage. Through the Eucharist he gives us the graces we need to live the life to which He has called us. This is what the Catholic Church teaches, and after years of searching and praying, it is my testimony as well. The Eucharist is transforming me.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Daily - 6/1/09
Galatians 5:16-25
16 I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.
18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions,
21 occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ (Jesus) have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
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On 5/4/08, I wrote this the Daily email about this passage:
The fruit of the Spirit (verses 22 and 23) is what I want. Christ isn’t calling us to live a boring, dull life that’s no fun. Rather, he came that we could have an abundant life. So … how do I get this abundant life? What exactly does it mean to live by the Spirit? In my opinion this is a very difficult question. I’d hoped to sit down and write a description of how you live in the Spirit, but the scriptural basis is literally all over the New Testament. Just compiling it takes hours/days. Let alone understanding it and trying to put it into personal terms.I’m convinced one can devote a lifetime to answering this question, and I’m also convinced that God is calling me to do just that. I'm going to be spending some time on this question going forward.
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Since that time I've written 30+ of these messages on this point. My testimony to you is that pursuing this question -- what does it mean to live by the Spirit -- will transform your life.
If you want to see how it played out for me in the Daily messages, click here:
Daily Messages on Life in the Spirit
The blog messages are saved chronologically, with the most recent at the top. So to trace the path, you need to scroll down to the bottom, then read the earliest message. Just keep scrolling up and reading. When you get to the top of the page, you'll have read 15 messages. To get to the most recent 15, which reflect more spiritual growth, you have to scroll back down to the bottom and click "Newer posts". Sorry this is so convoluted, it's just the way blogs work.
To be clear ... I'm putting this out there because pursuit of this subject has been life changing for me, and I've tried to share it in these messages to help anyone interested in walking that path. The theme of dying to the flesh and living in the spirit is woven throughout Paul's epistles. If you stick with this subject in Scripture, you will see Paul describe what I call "transcendent faith." That faith is there for all of us, if we choose to pursue it.
16 I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.
18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions,
21 occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ (Jesus) have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
---------------
On 5/4/08, I wrote this the Daily email about this passage:
The fruit of the Spirit (verses 22 and 23) is what I want. Christ isn’t calling us to live a boring, dull life that’s no fun. Rather, he came that we could have an abundant life. So … how do I get this abundant life? What exactly does it mean to live by the Spirit? In my opinion this is a very difficult question. I’d hoped to sit down and write a description of how you live in the Spirit, but the scriptural basis is literally all over the New Testament. Just compiling it takes hours/days. Let alone understanding it and trying to put it into personal terms.I’m convinced one can devote a lifetime to answering this question, and I’m also convinced that God is calling me to do just that. I'm going to be spending some time on this question going forward.
------------
Since that time I've written 30+ of these messages on this point. My testimony to you is that pursuing this question -- what does it mean to live by the Spirit -- will transform your life.
If you want to see how it played out for me in the Daily messages, click here:
Daily Messages on Life in the Spirit
The blog messages are saved chronologically, with the most recent at the top. So to trace the path, you need to scroll down to the bottom, then read the earliest message. Just keep scrolling up and reading. When you get to the top of the page, you'll have read 15 messages. To get to the most recent 15, which reflect more spiritual growth, you have to scroll back down to the bottom and click "Newer posts". Sorry this is so convoluted, it's just the way blogs work.
To be clear ... I'm putting this out there because pursuit of this subject has been life changing for me, and I've tried to share it in these messages to help anyone interested in walking that path. The theme of dying to the flesh and living in the spirit is woven throughout Paul's epistles. If you stick with this subject in Scripture, you will see Paul describe what I call "transcendent faith." That faith is there for all of us, if we choose to pursue it.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Daily - 5/17/09
This is from "Introduction to the Devout Life" by St. Francis de Sales -- a Doctor of the Church. Msgr. Callahan recommended this at the Men's Day of Recollection and I've been working my way through it for the last couple of months. It was written to give spiritual direction to people with "normal vocations" on how to live devoutly. St. Francis de Sales believed that you didn't need to have a religious vocation to reach sprititual heights.
For any readers out there, I highly recommend this book.
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Birds have nests in trees and can retire to them when need arises, and stags have bushes and thickets wehre they can take cover, hide, and enjoy the cool shade during the summer. So also, our hearts should each day pick and choose some place ... as a retreat where they can retire at various times to refresh and restore themselves during their exterior occupations. There, as in a stronghold, they can defend themselves against temptations.
Always remember to retire at varioust imes into the solitude of your own heart even while outwardly engaged in discussions ofr transactions with others .... Your heart remains alone in the presence of God. Such was the exercise King David practiced amid his many occupations and he testifies to it countless times in the Psalms, as when he says: "O Lord, I am always with you." Indeed, our tasks are seldom so important as to keep us from withdrawing our hearts from them from time to time in order to retreat into this divine solitude.
Therefore, withdraw your spirit from time to time into your heart; and there, apart from the world of men, you can converse heart to heart with God on the state of your soul.
For any readers out there, I highly recommend this book.
--------
Birds have nests in trees and can retire to them when need arises, and stags have bushes and thickets wehre they can take cover, hide, and enjoy the cool shade during the summer. So also, our hearts should each day pick and choose some place ... as a retreat where they can retire at various times to refresh and restore themselves during their exterior occupations. There, as in a stronghold, they can defend themselves against temptations.
Always remember to retire at varioust imes into the solitude of your own heart even while outwardly engaged in discussions ofr transactions with others .... Your heart remains alone in the presence of God. Such was the exercise King David practiced amid his many occupations and he testifies to it countless times in the Psalms, as when he says: "O Lord, I am always with you." Indeed, our tasks are seldom so important as to keep us from withdrawing our hearts from them from time to time in order to retreat into this divine solitude.
Therefore, withdraw your spirit from time to time into your heart; and there, apart from the world of men, you can converse heart to heart with God on the state of your soul.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Daily - 5/11/09
John 14:27-31 (Tuesday gospel)
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
28 You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.
30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me,
31 but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go.
---------------------
If you're willing, please take some time today to consider what Christ is giving when he gives us His peace. Note that he says "not as the world gives" -- he's not talking about "peace and quiet", or the absence of activity, or the absence of war, or a "peaceful easy feeling" (I love that song). So what is it? Here's a glimpse.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul is describing a peace which transcends understanding, and is so strong that we literally have nothing .... NOTHING to worry about. If you've got a worry, take it straight to God. Have NO ANXIETY at all. If you can do this, your heart and mind will be guarded by the peace that surpasses all understanding.
"Surpasses all understanding" ... that means that it's so good we literally can't describe it. I've felt this peace. Not all the time, but I feel it more and more each day. In these messages I try to share what it's like, but as scripture says, I physically can't tell you how it really feels. It transcends all understanding.
I'll say this though, I want more of it and I want everybody reading this message to have a taste of it.
So give it a try. When you're anxious, stop and determine what it is that's really bothering you, and go straight to Christ. Put it at His feet, and LEAVE IT THERE. I'm telling you, it works. It takes practice, but it is well worth your time to put this in your spiritual toolbox. Here's the best part ... if you ask Christ for His help in teaching you how, he WILL help you.
It's out there for you. Go for it!
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
28 You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.
30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me,
31 but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go.
---------------------
If you're willing, please take some time today to consider what Christ is giving when he gives us His peace. Note that he says "not as the world gives" -- he's not talking about "peace and quiet", or the absence of activity, or the absence of war, or a "peaceful easy feeling" (I love that song). So what is it? Here's a glimpse.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul is describing a peace which transcends understanding, and is so strong that we literally have nothing .... NOTHING to worry about. If you've got a worry, take it straight to God. Have NO ANXIETY at all. If you can do this, your heart and mind will be guarded by the peace that surpasses all understanding.
"Surpasses all understanding" ... that means that it's so good we literally can't describe it. I've felt this peace. Not all the time, but I feel it more and more each day. In these messages I try to share what it's like, but as scripture says, I physically can't tell you how it really feels. It transcends all understanding.
I'll say this though, I want more of it and I want everybody reading this message to have a taste of it.
So give it a try. When you're anxious, stop and determine what it is that's really bothering you, and go straight to Christ. Put it at His feet, and LEAVE IT THERE. I'm telling you, it works. It takes practice, but it is well worth your time to put this in your spiritual toolbox. Here's the best part ... if you ask Christ for His help in teaching you how, he WILL help you.
It's out there for you. Go for it!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Daily - 4/15/09
Luke 24:35-48 - Thurs gospel
35 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36 While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."
37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
38 Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?
39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have."
40 And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
42 They gave him a piece of baked fish;
43 he took it and ate it in front of them.
44 He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
46 And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day
47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
-----------
Here's a nice scene to place yourself in. A dead guy appears out of nowhere. "What's the fuss about? Got any food?" Can you imagine?
v45 - He opens their eyes, and they understand the Scriptures. Anybody else want to have been in that classroom? Theology 901. Bring an extra pencil.
Flip comments aside ...
This passage specifically discusses the disciples, but it applies to us too. It is ultimately Christ who enables us to understand the Scriptures. He opens our eyes when we are ready. I know this from my own experience ... as I grow spiritually, passages that I've previously struggled with become more clear. It seems like every time I make some type of noticeable spiritual growth, that is accompanied by a deeper understanding of truth. That's God transforming me, bit by bit, into the man he wants me to be.
It's too bad that there are too many "bits" remaining to be transformed, but that's the way it goes for us humans. My job is to be open to the transformation.
35 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36 While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."
37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
38 Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?
39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have."
40 And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
42 They gave him a piece of baked fish;
43 he took it and ate it in front of them.
44 He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
46 And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day
47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
-----------
Here's a nice scene to place yourself in. A dead guy appears out of nowhere. "What's the fuss about? Got any food?" Can you imagine?
v45 - He opens their eyes, and they understand the Scriptures. Anybody else want to have been in that classroom? Theology 901. Bring an extra pencil.
Flip comments aside ...
This passage specifically discusses the disciples, but it applies to us too. It is ultimately Christ who enables us to understand the Scriptures. He opens our eyes when we are ready. I know this from my own experience ... as I grow spiritually, passages that I've previously struggled with become more clear. It seems like every time I make some type of noticeable spiritual growth, that is accompanied by a deeper understanding of truth. That's God transforming me, bit by bit, into the man he wants me to be.
It's too bad that there are too many "bits" remaining to be transformed, but that's the way it goes for us humans. My job is to be open to the transformation.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Daily - 2/25/09
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
1 "(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
5 "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
16 "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
------------------
Welcome to Lent!
Christ gives us instruction on Lenten disciplines.
During Lent we use tried and true spiritual disciplines -- prayer, fasting, and almsgiving -- to draw closer and closer to Christ. As Christ says in the gospel, these disciplines are between us and our Lord. We are to go about our lives as usual, and enter into these spiritual disciplines privately, or at least without fanfare. One thing I'm trying to focus on is that there is no gain from making my efforts a statement to anyone other than the Father.
We also need to have sound purposes for these disciplines. If we're fasting to lose weight, or giving alms so that others can see us doing it, we need to look closely at what we're doing. Is it really a spiritual discipline if our goal is some type of worldly gain?
1 "(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
5 "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
16 "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
------------------
Welcome to Lent!
Christ gives us instruction on Lenten disciplines.
During Lent we use tried and true spiritual disciplines -- prayer, fasting, and almsgiving -- to draw closer and closer to Christ. As Christ says in the gospel, these disciplines are between us and our Lord. We are to go about our lives as usual, and enter into these spiritual disciplines privately, or at least without fanfare. One thing I'm trying to focus on is that there is no gain from making my efforts a statement to anyone other than the Father.
We also need to have sound purposes for these disciplines. If we're fasting to lose weight, or giving alms so that others can see us doing it, we need to look closely at what we're doing. Is it really a spiritual discipline if our goal is some type of worldly gain?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Daily - 2/17/09
Mark 8:14-21
14 They had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
15 He enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
16 They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.
17 When he became aware of this he said to them, "Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?
18 Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember,
19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?" They answered him, "Twelve."
20 "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?" They answered (him), "Seven."
21 He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
---------------------------------------
This reading provides a great lesson of how easy it is for the flesh to take your eyes off the spirit.
Christ uses levened bread as a metaphor for the dangers presented by the Pharisees, and of Herod. That type of leaven -- the leaven of the world that rejects Him -- will poison the bread that they are trying to make.
The disciples hear this teaching and completely miss it. Sitting here now, it seems amazing that they could miss it. They think Christ is worried about food, even though they have watched him feed 9,000 people with a total of twelve loaves of bread. They've seen him walk on water, and calm the sea. They've seen him heal a leper and a deaf man. It must have left Christ shaking His head.
On the other hand, I completely understand. I can see MANY examples of how I allow the flesh to interfere with what the spirit is trying to teach me. If fact, as I type this I'm literally chuckling, because this just happened to me a couple of days ago. Two of our CRHP brothers witnessed it. We were in a discussion and I drove the discussion off the reservation because I had an enormous blind spot that wouldn't let me see Christ's message.
That's the way it goes here in the world. We need to keep our focus on Christ to be fully in tune with Him.
14 They had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
15 He enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
16 They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.
17 When he became aware of this he said to them, "Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?
18 Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember,
19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?" They answered him, "Twelve."
20 "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?" They answered (him), "Seven."
21 He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
---------------------------------------
This reading provides a great lesson of how easy it is for the flesh to take your eyes off the spirit.
Christ uses levened bread as a metaphor for the dangers presented by the Pharisees, and of Herod. That type of leaven -- the leaven of the world that rejects Him -- will poison the bread that they are trying to make.
The disciples hear this teaching and completely miss it. Sitting here now, it seems amazing that they could miss it. They think Christ is worried about food, even though they have watched him feed 9,000 people with a total of twelve loaves of bread. They've seen him walk on water, and calm the sea. They've seen him heal a leper and a deaf man. It must have left Christ shaking His head.
On the other hand, I completely understand. I can see MANY examples of how I allow the flesh to interfere with what the spirit is trying to teach me. If fact, as I type this I'm literally chuckling, because this just happened to me a couple of days ago. Two of our CRHP brothers witnessed it. We were in a discussion and I drove the discussion off the reservation because I had an enormous blind spot that wouldn't let me see Christ's message.
That's the way it goes here in the world. We need to keep our focus on Christ to be fully in tune with Him.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Daily 2/6/09
Thanks to the 21 men who attended either the Wednesday or Friday bible studies this week! As Buffalo Springfield said … "there's something happening here."
Heb13:1-8
1 Let mutual love continue.
2 Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
3 Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.
4 Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
5 Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you."
6 Thus we may say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper, (and) I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"
7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
----------------------------
This is packed full of instruction for Christian living:
- V1 - reminder on one of the two great commandments of the new testament.
- V2 - makes me wonder when I might have declined to entertain an angel.
- V5 - money has it's place, but God gives us everything we truly need
- V6 - the Lord is with us, there is no reason to fear. I think I need this tattooed on the inside of my eyelids.
Verses 7 and 8 are a great follow up to the "great cloud of witnesses" passage from Hebrews 12. We are told to remember the spiritual leaders who spoke the word of God to us -- consider how their lives played out, and imitate their faith
I've had (and continue to have) several people in my life who have taken the time to speak the word of God to me, and to teach me his ways. Those individuals have lived as lights to me. I was attracted to each of them because I could see that they were different, and that I wanted to be like them. Eventually I learned why -- they were committed to Christ, and they lived their lives in a way that demonstrated that commitment. None are perfect, but they all live with integrity, and none of them are afraid to give the reasons for the joy they have (1 Peter 3:15).
As I think about those people, I have indeed imitated them. So it is with us. If we live as lights, people notice, and they watch us. Praise the Lord for allowing us to bring his light to others. The Lord is our helper, and there is no reason to fear.
Heb13:1-8
1 Let mutual love continue.
2 Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
3 Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.
4 Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
5 Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you."
6 Thus we may say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper, (and) I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"
7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
----------------------------
This is packed full of instruction for Christian living:
- V1 - reminder on one of the two great commandments of the new testament.
- V2 - makes me wonder when I might have declined to entertain an angel.
- V5 - money has it's place, but God gives us everything we truly need
- V6 - the Lord is with us, there is no reason to fear. I think I need this tattooed on the inside of my eyelids.
Verses 7 and 8 are a great follow up to the "great cloud of witnesses" passage from Hebrews 12. We are told to remember the spiritual leaders who spoke the word of God to us -- consider how their lives played out, and imitate their faith
I've had (and continue to have) several people in my life who have taken the time to speak the word of God to me, and to teach me his ways. Those individuals have lived as lights to me. I was attracted to each of them because I could see that they were different, and that I wanted to be like them. Eventually I learned why -- they were committed to Christ, and they lived their lives in a way that demonstrated that commitment. None are perfect, but they all live with integrity, and none of them are afraid to give the reasons for the joy they have (1 Peter 3:15).
As I think about those people, I have indeed imitated them. So it is with us. If we live as lights, people notice, and they watch us. Praise the Lord for allowing us to bring his light to others. The Lord is our helper, and there is no reason to fear.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Daily - 1/20/09
2 Peter 1:3-8
3 His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power.
4 Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge,
6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
7 devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.
8 If these are yours and increase in abundance, they will keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
------------------------
Here is some good guidance from the ancient church on how to share in the divine nature (“remaining in Christ” in John’s terminology). This is very instructive, but you have to break it down carefully to get the message.
According to verses 3 and 4:
- God gives us everything we need for life (v3)
- We receive this gift through knowledge of Christ (v 3)
- God has bestowed on us great promises (v 4)
- We may use these gifts to share in the divine nature ( v4)
- But first we need to escape the corruption in the world (v 4)
I very much want to share in the divine nature. To do that, I clearly need to escape the corruption of the world. How do I do THAT? First and foremost, I need faith in Jesus. Furthermore, I need to supplement (i.e., add to) my faith with virtue, knowledge, self control, endurance, devotion, mutual affection, and love.
Consider that thought for a while … faith isn’t complete (i.e., I won’t share in the divine nature) without supplementing it with these things. It is through these acts that we escape the corruption of the world. In Paul’s terminology, this is the process of putting the flesh to death.
3 His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power.
4 Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge,
6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
7 devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.
8 If these are yours and increase in abundance, they will keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
------------------------
Here is some good guidance from the ancient church on how to share in the divine nature (“remaining in Christ” in John’s terminology). This is very instructive, but you have to break it down carefully to get the message.
According to verses 3 and 4:
- God gives us everything we need for life (v3)
- We receive this gift through knowledge of Christ (v 3)
- God has bestowed on us great promises (v 4)
- We may use these gifts to share in the divine nature ( v4)
- But first we need to escape the corruption in the world (v 4)
I very much want to share in the divine nature. To do that, I clearly need to escape the corruption of the world. How do I do THAT? First and foremost, I need faith in Jesus. Furthermore, I need to supplement (i.e., add to) my faith with virtue, knowledge, self control, endurance, devotion, mutual affection, and love.
Consider that thought for a while … faith isn’t complete (i.e., I won’t share in the divine nature) without supplementing it with these things. It is through these acts that we escape the corruption of the world. In Paul’s terminology, this is the process of putting the flesh to death.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Daily - 11/11/08
Romans 12:9-15
9 Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;
10 love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.
11 Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Here are some words of encouragement from Paul. I need to remind myself of this frequently, because my tendency is to hole up in my own house, and tend to the needs and desires of myself and my family.
However, God calls us to be engaged in our brothers’ lives on a personal level. We all have times where we get tired, or discouraged, or just completely consumed with what’s going on in our immediate lives. Paul reminds us to be fervent in spirit, rejoice in hope, and persevere with prayer. We are called to spiritually invest in each others’ lives.
And … we are to let our love be sincere. To me, this means that I shouldn’t see obedience as a means to an end. I shouldn’t serve others because I think that will get me to heaven. I should serve others because by putting the flesh to death and remaining in Christ, his desires should become my desires. I should serve out of love and hope, and not because I think I’ll get something out of it down the road.
9 Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;
10 love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.
11 Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Here are some words of encouragement from Paul. I need to remind myself of this frequently, because my tendency is to hole up in my own house, and tend to the needs and desires of myself and my family.
However, God calls us to be engaged in our brothers’ lives on a personal level. We all have times where we get tired, or discouraged, or just completely consumed with what’s going on in our immediate lives. Paul reminds us to be fervent in spirit, rejoice in hope, and persevere with prayer. We are called to spiritually invest in each others’ lives.
And … we are to let our love be sincere. To me, this means that I shouldn’t see obedience as a means to an end. I shouldn’t serve others because I think that will get me to heaven. I should serve others because by putting the flesh to death and remaining in Christ, his desires should become my desires. I should serve out of love and hope, and not because I think I’ll get something out of it down the road.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Daily - 11/3/08
2 Timothy 2:15-22
15 Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
16 Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless,
17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who have deviated from the truth by saying that (the) resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, "The Lord knows those who are his"; and, "Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil."
20 In a large household there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for lofty and others for humble use.
21 If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith,love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart.
Here Paul describes what happens when we put away the flesh and focus on obedience to God’s will.
It requires work though. We need to fully submit to God for this to happen. Put the flesh to death by knowing God’s commands to us and striving to keep them. This is difficult and we can’t do it on our own – but the good news is that if we open ourselves up to God and seek his help, he’ll do it for us.
If we follow this plan, we can become vessels for lofty use. Vessels are containers. The contents are from God, not from us. Our job is to make ourselves available for His use.
15 Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
16 Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless,
17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who have deviated from the truth by saying that (the) resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, "The Lord knows those who are his"; and, "Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil."
20 In a large household there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for lofty and others for humble use.
21 If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith,love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart.
Here Paul describes what happens when we put away the flesh and focus on obedience to God’s will.
It requires work though. We need to fully submit to God for this to happen. Put the flesh to death by knowing God’s commands to us and striving to keep them. This is difficult and we can’t do it on our own – but the good news is that if we open ourselves up to God and seek his help, he’ll do it for us.
If we follow this plan, we can become vessels for lofty use. Vessels are containers. The contents are from God, not from us. Our job is to make ourselves available for His use.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Daily - 9/16/08
Ephesians 5:8-14
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,
9 for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.
10 Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them,
12 for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret;
13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
We are called to live in the light, and to try and learn what is pleasing to the Lord. How do we know what is pleasing? Really there are two easy answers. First – search the Word and you will find plenty of descriptions of what God does and does not want us to do. At times I’ve found the lists of “don’ts” depressing, but eventually I learned that taking the first steps of obedience really requires focusing on the “don’ts” than the “do’s”. Before we truly commit to Christ we live as the World lives. But we are told not to do that, to not take part in the fruitless works of darkness. These are the first steps of obedience, to recognize things are not doing to God and stop doing them (aka, putting sin to death).
What else can we do? Prayer. One of the best ways to learn what is pleasing to the Lord is to ASK HIM to tell you what is pleasing to Him. Ask God to reveal to you what he wants you to do, or what he wants you to stop doing. Then … pay attention to the answer and try and put it into practice. I have found that the more often I put such questions to God, the easier things become for me.
If we do these things, in time we move further into the light, and in turn our light shines for others to see.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,
9 for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.
10 Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them,
12 for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret;
13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
We are called to live in the light, and to try and learn what is pleasing to the Lord. How do we know what is pleasing? Really there are two easy answers. First – search the Word and you will find plenty of descriptions of what God does and does not want us to do. At times I’ve found the lists of “don’ts” depressing, but eventually I learned that taking the first steps of obedience really requires focusing on the “don’ts” than the “do’s”. Before we truly commit to Christ we live as the World lives. But we are told not to do that, to not take part in the fruitless works of darkness. These are the first steps of obedience, to recognize things are not doing to God and stop doing them (aka, putting sin to death).
What else can we do? Prayer. One of the best ways to learn what is pleasing to the Lord is to ASK HIM to tell you what is pleasing to Him. Ask God to reveal to you what he wants you to do, or what he wants you to stop doing. Then … pay attention to the answer and try and put it into practice. I have found that the more often I put such questions to God, the easier things become for me.
If we do these things, in time we move further into the light, and in turn our light shines for others to see.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Daily - 9/12/08
Luke 6:41-42
41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
42 Or how can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.
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It is extremely easy to find fault in other people. However, we are called to first examine ourselves and “remove the log” from our own eyes.
So how do we do that? In my opinion, we’re being told to examine ourselves, identify our own sinfulness and shortcomings, and remove them. In Paul’s letters he describes this process as putting sin to death. The more we do so, the closer we get to God. But we also know that we never fully get the log out. Which makes me wonder …. when do I get to remove the speck from my brother’s eye? What if it really bothers me and really causes problems? What am I supposed to do?
Truthfully I don’t have a developed answer to that. But it’s clear that Christ is saying, and Paul is confirming, that I am better served spending my time examining myself, putting sin to death, and drawing closer to God than I am working on other folks.
This jives with something else I’ve finally wrapped my mind around of late – I need to trust God for things I can’t control, and concentrate on the things that I KNOW God has called me to do. Has he called me to remove someone else’s speck? Maybe, but if we’re truly remaining in God, aren’t we supposed to let Him tell us that, rather than make that determination ourselves?
I do know for certain that he has called me to get the log out of my own eye, so … I probably should put my focus there. That’s a lifetime’s worth of work.
Just rambling on a Friday afternoon …
41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
42 Or how can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.
-----------
It is extremely easy to find fault in other people. However, we are called to first examine ourselves and “remove the log” from our own eyes.
So how do we do that? In my opinion, we’re being told to examine ourselves, identify our own sinfulness and shortcomings, and remove them. In Paul’s letters he describes this process as putting sin to death. The more we do so, the closer we get to God. But we also know that we never fully get the log out. Which makes me wonder …. when do I get to remove the speck from my brother’s eye? What if it really bothers me and really causes problems? What am I supposed to do?
Truthfully I don’t have a developed answer to that. But it’s clear that Christ is saying, and Paul is confirming, that I am better served spending my time examining myself, putting sin to death, and drawing closer to God than I am working on other folks.
This jives with something else I’ve finally wrapped my mind around of late – I need to trust God for things I can’t control, and concentrate on the things that I KNOW God has called me to do. Has he called me to remove someone else’s speck? Maybe, but if we’re truly remaining in God, aren’t we supposed to let Him tell us that, rather than make that determination ourselves?
I do know for certain that he has called me to get the log out of my own eye, so … I probably should put my focus there. That’s a lifetime’s worth of work.
Just rambling on a Friday afternoon …
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