In my circles of fellowship past and present, believers passionate about living the Christian life have often described their goal as being sold out for Christ. I fully understand the laudable sentiment, but a nagging suspicion remains that all is not as it appears. Consider two sentences which express Christian understanding of sanctification.
Most people would see these as parallel or synonymous, but are they? Both reflect the desire of the believer to reflect what Christ has accomplished within, yet they differ in how that life is lived. The emphasis lies in who has the ultimate control.
Statement one – The power and authority for action and commitment lies within the person attempting the lifestyle. Jesus Christ is seen as setting an standard by example of conduct to which the individual must attain. Various activities (scripture memorization, Bible reading and study, protracted prayer, etc.) are enacted to to climb this ladder of spiritual success. Any variance from pursuing the singular goal is sin requiring an appropriate discipline in order to regain a proper bearing.
This plan is doomed to complete failure because it relies on the strength of the one attempting the feat. Believers, as limited creatures carrying the vestiges of the sin nature, are incapable of maintaining it. Certainly, there is the empowering of the Holy Spirit working on the inner man, yet all the plans and procedures according to individual taste, rather than the true need. The life of faith is replaced by the life of faithfulness becoming an end unto itself.
Statement two – This has some biblical allusions based on John 14:23 and Galatians 2:20 among others, which means nothing in and of itself. However the emphasis is completely opposite the first by relying on what Christ is doing in and through the believer according to his promises. There is rest and peace in Christ's faithfulness to the believer. Power and authority is recognized or originating outside from on high, and that any attempt to assist only interrupts or interferes with that being accomplished.
Activities are put in place in conjunction with the spiritual benefits of what has been promised and given through the cross. Prayer, fellowship, and Bible-related activities are developed as a natural outgrowth to the life lived by faith. Service is performed through the strength God supplies.
"Aren't you being harsh to the first person? Just look at the desire!"
I applaud such desire to live before the Lord in a manner that demonstrates his glory, however discernment is useful. Wrong-headed zeal will hinder more than help, especially when the person most affected is you. Is the zeal pointed toward spiritual activities because they seem the right thing to do? I have those who have done this only to discover the race was not to the swift but to the one who endured. At that point the passion may die to an ember, not because the Lord was unfaithful, but because the self-imposed hurdles were too high.
If someone is pursuing a course in the Lord's name but without his sanction, it is time to be redirected to more fruitful outlets for Christ's kingdom. Look to God's word, and zealously seek his kingdom and righteousness, knowing that all these things will be added unto you in Christ.
- I want to live a Christ-centered life.
- I want Christ to live in and through me.
Most people would see these as parallel or synonymous, but are they? Both reflect the desire of the believer to reflect what Christ has accomplished within, yet they differ in how that life is lived. The emphasis lies in who has the ultimate control.
Statement one – The power and authority for action and commitment lies within the person attempting the lifestyle. Jesus Christ is seen as setting an standard by example of conduct to which the individual must attain. Various activities (scripture memorization, Bible reading and study, protracted prayer, etc.) are enacted to to climb this ladder of spiritual success. Any variance from pursuing the singular goal is sin requiring an appropriate discipline in order to regain a proper bearing.
This plan is doomed to complete failure because it relies on the strength of the one attempting the feat. Believers, as limited creatures carrying the vestiges of the sin nature, are incapable of maintaining it. Certainly, there is the empowering of the Holy Spirit working on the inner man, yet all the plans and procedures according to individual taste, rather than the true need. The life of faith is replaced by the life of faithfulness becoming an end unto itself.
Statement two – This has some biblical allusions based on John 14:23 and Galatians 2:20 among others, which means nothing in and of itself. However the emphasis is completely opposite the first by relying on what Christ is doing in and through the believer according to his promises. There is rest and peace in Christ's faithfulness to the believer. Power and authority is recognized or originating outside from on high, and that any attempt to assist only interrupts or interferes with that being accomplished.
Activities are put in place in conjunction with the spiritual benefits of what has been promised and given through the cross. Prayer, fellowship, and Bible-related activities are developed as a natural outgrowth to the life lived by faith. Service is performed through the strength God supplies.
"Aren't you being harsh to the first person? Just look at the desire!"
I applaud such desire to live before the Lord in a manner that demonstrates his glory, however discernment is useful. Wrong-headed zeal will hinder more than help, especially when the person most affected is you. Is the zeal pointed toward spiritual activities because they seem the right thing to do? I have those who have done this only to discover the race was not to the swift but to the one who endured. At that point the passion may die to an ember, not because the Lord was unfaithful, but because the self-imposed hurdles were too high.
If someone is pursuing a course in the Lord's name but without his sanction, it is time to be redirected to more fruitful outlets for Christ's kingdom. Look to God's word, and zealously seek his kingdom and righteousness, knowing that all these things will be added unto you in Christ.
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