The Truth Process, Session V, Post 9

Listening and Doing
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25)
When I was a child, I perfected the ability to listen, without doing. I can still remember my mother’s voice – “Johnny, you’d better not _________.” Or – “Johnny, I want you to _________.” I listened to what she said, and I understood the meaning of her words. I would mutter “OK” to indicate my agreement. It wasn’t long however before I was doing the thing I was not supposed to do and not doing the thing I was supposed to do. I am sure that this behavior was a contributing factor to my having a painful encounter with my mother’s “board of education” just about every weekend. (Strangely, I was well behaved during the week while in elementary school.)
What makes a young child listen without doing? For me, it was stubbornness and a desire to have what I wanted – which was usually the opposite of what my mother wanted. I wanted my own way even when her instruction was logical, reasonable, and in my best interest. You see, it was really all about me and my desires. So I listened, but I did not do.
Many years later, I find that I have a tendency to revert to this old behavior pattern. It is no longer my mother’s voice that I listen to, but God’s voice which comes to me through his divinely inspired word. When I look intently into the word, I find wisdom and insight into every aspect of my life – my thoughts, my words, my marriage, my children, my work, my finances, EVERYTHING. I listen to the word of God, and I understand the meaning. But all too often I end up doing the thing I was not supposed to do and not doing the thing I was supposed to do. (See Romans 7:14-20)
As we saw in our study last week, God calls us as believers to be involved in the lives of others. We are to be good neighbors to the needy. Everyone is needy from time to time, whether due to illness, poverty, widowhood, discouragement, loneliness, or a variety of other causes. The needy are everywhere, and the clear call of scripture is that I am to be a good neighbor to the needy that God brings across my path. I listen to the word of God. I understand it. But do I do it?
Now this may come as a surprise to some of you, but people’s lives can be messy and complicated. It takes time and effort to be a neighbor to the needy. It’s just easier to not get involved, and besides, I am much too busy already. This is the ever present “it’s all about me” attitude, and this attitude presents a huge obstacle to fulfilling God’s call to community and involvement.
As a believer, my life is to reflect the character and nature of God. One aspect of his nature is his great compassion for those in need. (Matthew 11:28-30)
If it is up to me and my strength and will power, I will never reflect his nature. I am not capable of this on my own. I do not have the power to do this. When I learn that it is his power, not mine that enables me to live as I should, I will be much better at doing, as opposed to merely listening.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
It is through God’s power and God’s promises that the “it’s all about me” attitude is conquered.
May it be so.
In Christ –
John

The Manhattan Declaration

Manhattan Declaration Reveals Mainstream Values



Janice Shaw Crouse is a former speechwriter for George H. W. Bush and now political commentator for the Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee.



To read her recent article on the Manhattan Declaration GO HERE

The Truth Process, Session v, Post 8

Personal Relationship

This past week we discussed “unio mystica” – the mystical union of God and man. Scripture is very clear that both Christ and the Holy Spirit are in the believer. (John 14:16-20, Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 3:16). This is rightly referred to as a mystery because it is beyond our ability to comprehend that the God of the universe has come to make His dwelling both with us and in us. I will admit that I have no idea how this could be. I do know that this reality tells us something about the character and nature of God – He desires relationship.
During our discussion, I shared these statements with you:
Oneness with God represents the heart of the Christian Gospel…
Christianity is not primarily a moral, philosophical, or religious system, but rather a deep, intimate, and living relationship with a personal Creator.
This relationship represents the “Ultimate Oneness” and the “Supreme Significance”.
It occurred to me as I prepared the lesson that I am at times guilty of viewing Christianity (my Christianity) more as a “moral, philosophical, or religious system” than as a relationship with a personal Creator. Perhaps you have experienced this as well.
I find that when my prayer time is irregular and study of His word is lacking, I tend to lose the awareness of the relationship. While I may continue to attempt to follow the moral requirements of Christianity, I tend to do so more out of a sense of duty rather than out of love for my Father. This is not what God desires. He offers us a deep, intimate, personal relationship and nothing has greater value than knowing and understanding God.

but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24)
The approaching Christmas holiday is a celebration of Emmanuel – “God with us”. Perhaps the other 364 days of each year should be a celebration of the reality that Christ and the Holy Spirit are not only with us, but in us. As I think about this, it seems to me that the celebration of “God with us” (Christmas) is very intentional, is it not? The celebration doesn’t just happen - it takes time, effort, and attention.
I realize now that I must be far more intentional about honoring and nurturing the divine relationship that God has created.
May it be so…
In Christ,
John

The Truth Process Session V, Post 7

The Power of a Life Well Lived

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Philippians 2:14-15
This morning (December 3, 2009) I was reading Joe Stowell’s “Daily Strength” column. It was titled “The Power of a Life Well Lived”. (To read the entire column go here ). His comments are an excellent follow up to our recent conversations in class regarding the Sphere of Labor.
Stowell writes:
When non-Christians in this “crooked and depraved generation” notice that we are different, it gives us an opportunity to make a difference for Christ. Stowell shared an anecdote regarding a comment made by Michail Gorbachev when he was Prime Minister of Russia. It is said that once when Gorbachev met with his cabinet, he asked, “Why is it that we persecute the Christians? They are the ones who are not alcoholics. They show up for work every day and give us a good day’s work. Why is it that we persecute people like this whom we desperately need?”

Stowell wonders if people would say something like that about Christians today. Or would they say, “Those Christians—they are always the ones who are griping, murmuring, arriving late, and leaving early?” Even in environments where we may feel challenged or unappreciated, we are called to bear witness to the reality of God in our lives by being “pure and blameless.” It’s often true that the more difficult the environment, the more challenging it is to show the uniqueness of God’s character through our actions and attitudes. Yet it is in those dark times that the light of Jesus in us and through us can shine most brightly.
When we maintain the witness of a life well-lived even in the face of hardship, we have the power to make a difference in our home, workplace, and significant relationships.
Live in such a way that your boss will be prompted to say, “I don’t always get it about Christians but one thing is true—our business is a lot better place because they work here!” And then maybe, just maybe, your boss will be open for you to help him “get it” about Christians—all the way to Jesus. Now that would really make a difference!

Whether you are an owner, manager, or worker within the Sphere of Labor, remember your stewardship responsibilities and the power of a life well lived.

In Christ –
John
Soli Dei Gloria