Living as the New Covenant People

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)

Convenience or Conviction?

To the immediate right, you will find a familiar friend. That’s right, genius. It’s a vending machine. If you’re like me, you have many fond memories of such a machine. After all, you simply drop in a few quarters and (despite the fact that it’s overpriced) receive your candy bar, bag of chips, or other unhealthy junk food of choice within mere seconds. Perhaps this vending machine is an accurate symbol of our American culture; we’re wasteful, unwise, and impatient people, looking only to satisfy our immediate desires. But when we start to view God like He’s a vending machine, we have a serious problem.

Let’s consider this. I know I’m guilty.

Seeking Total Cruciformity

Among the greatest challenges of any follower of Christ is the daily growth toward God’s established values, the believer’s own assimilation into God’s Kingdom. This is achieved through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit; however, this does not mean spiritual growth is an effortless process on the part of the disciple.

I intend to suggest that believers develop spiritual disciplines to assist them in their personal growth, yet I do so with caution; by arguing in favor of spiritual disciplines I run the risk of becoming too legalistic or becoming too focused on the “self” and neglectful of the mission our Lord has called us to.

With that being said, I have titled this commentary “Seeking Total Cruciformity” in order to convey the idea that spiritual growth is not achieved merely by one’s own efforts, nor by rigorous obedience to ritualistic disciplines, but by an understanding of Christ and His Cross, the center of the Gospel that has brought grace to those who believe.

A New Walk – But God…

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience– among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved– and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

-Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)

I Need the Gospel

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
-1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

Today was a rainy day, and I found myself in an introspective mood (yes, I took the picture of the rainbow to the right). I realized, as I often do, that I’m not content with the fruit I am bearing in regard to mission work and evangelism, nor am I satisfied with my personal devotional life. I wondered what it is that leads to this.

Apostle

A captive, daily taking pains
I draw a long, precarious breath;
A cross I fashion from my chains,
Bereft of all but valiant death.

The race—it will soon be complete—
Has lately been but winding down;
Yet languid legs and aching feet
Await an everlasting crown.

Now pour me out, O Holy God
As a drink offering to you;
For in despondence I must trod
Before this body you renew.

The Intolerance of “Tolerance”

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
-Romans 2:1-4 (NIV)

While I am among the first to admit that Christians can be very intolerant of non-Christians, I believe our culture has brainwashed us into buying into a narrow-minded, hypocritical, faulty and non-Biblical view of “tolerance.” How do we maintain a balance between believing in God and avoiding “intolerance” of others?

A Grievous Goodbye

Conveniently located back-to-back in Luke 24:47-62 are two rather intense stories; in the first, a disciple of Jesus (whom we know to be Peter from John 18:10) attacks one of the servants who were part of Jesus’ arresting party. In the second, Peter denies Christ when he is (correctly) accused of being his follower. There’s some good drama to check out here, and perhaps an interesting look at repentance.