June 18, 2021 (Friday)
The “almost Christian” is contrasted to the “real Christian.”
The assumption here is one either is or is not. The problem is few if any of us
fall into simple categories.
And maybe that’s the point, the “real Christian” is broken.
The old fashioned theological word is “conviction.” This happens only because
of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, “We know this because our good news didn’t come
to you just in speech but also with power and the Holy Spirit and with deep
conviction.” [1 Thessalonians 1:5a ESV] That deep conviction leads
to repentance. Repentance is the necessity for “regeneration.” (That’s the
fancy theological word for “born again.”) Repentance is a changed mind and
changed behavior.
The individual who is “broken” KNOWS they are completely helpless
before God. The “broken” ones understand the only thing between them and
eternal damnation we deserve is God’s desire to be merciful. The broken fall desperately
before the Almighty and identify with Jesus.
The key to life for the “real Christian” is living by two
rules, one modified by Jesus. Mark 12:30 – 31 records the unmodified rule this
way, “And you
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is
this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment
greater than these.” [ESV]
What happens is when we love God with our whole heart, we
will love those God loves. When God becomes the priority, the things of God
become our priority.
Jesus eventually raised the bar beyond natural human
ability. “A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you,
you also are to love one another.” [John
13:34 ESV] See the difference? Jesus moves the standard of love from ourselves
to Him.
All this is not just theory. David asks and answers, “Who can ascend the Lord’s
mountain? Who can stand in his holy sanctuary? Only the one with clean hands
and a pure heart; the one who hasn’t made false promises, the one who hasn’t
sworn dishonestly.” [Psalm 24:3 – 4 ESV]
Clean hands refer to the outward life. It means a “changed life.”
It’s easy to pretend inward purity without outward purity.
This person is self-deceived. It’s also easy to pretend outward purity without
inward purity. This person has “the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (see
2 Timothy 3:5 ESV).
Here’s the point, you are who you are in your heart (mind). “More than anything
you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” [Proverbs
4:23 ESV] The word translated “mind” could also be “heart.” That is the sacred
place where we make our decisions. The question is, who does it belong too?
With a pure heart comes consistency. It doesn’t eliminate
mistakes, misunderstandings, and misspeaks. What it does is keep us on track.
No comments:
Post a Comment