It' very possible I've only lost two pounds, but I also suspect that the scale in our bathroom in Laramie, WY is not the same as the scale at SportsMed in Christchurch, NZ. This is the problem with scales - they are relative. They need to be calibrated to an absolute standard.
Similarly, any man-made measure of spiritual growth we use must ultimately be calibrated to the absolute standard of God's word. In this case, why don't we just measure ourselves against the standard directly? And why all these measurements? Are we in a competition? Is there a target goal where we can say we are finished? I think not. As long as I am growing, I'm happy (or should be). I have the rest of my life and all eternity to grow. Now doing God's will and finishing His work, there is some urgency there...
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Interesting thoughts David.
ReplyDeleteLately, with the large change looming of moving to NM, finding work again, etc..., I have been trying to grow in the area of just expecting good things from God and not being scared that I am a fool leading my family around in the dark! I am tired of all the "measuring". In fact, I think I am hiding from it in some ways. I want to enjoy life/God/people/work. Maybe we should pray for each other to have a little more of the medicine you encountered the other day on your walk!
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ReplyDeleteThe more I think about it, the more I find all the measuring silly. First off, we will never be more accepted or more loved or more complete than we were when we accepted Christ. I am appreciating that justification is perfect and complete and final while sanctification is imperfect, incomplete, and will never be finished. So measuring sanctification is silly with regards to our spiritual state.
ReplyDeleteThen, why all this concern about growth? It's a cottage industry in the christian (little "c") subculture. Does it come from our incessant need to compare? That would then be judging, which we are strictly prohibited from (Do not judge...). Is it so we can feel good about ourselves? That would be not trusting God at His word that we are accepted. Is it to know that we are on the right track? We should know day by day if we are walking with God. There is no real need except to provide external motivation, which in the long run is doomed to failure. I'm stepping off the measurement treadmill...
Wow, the post and the edited repost happened exactly over the Daylight Saving time switch!
ReplyDelete@Eric: do not be afraid! God has good intentions to you, though the "things" are not always what we view as good. You are doing a fantastic job leading your family in following God. As for enjoying life/God/family/work, I've always clung to the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Every good and perfect gift is from our Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation.
ReplyDeleteChristian "growth" or living in the Kingdom of God? "Growth" seems to be a vestige of the gospel of sin management. I have been reading "Divine Conspiracy" by Willard and have enjoyed his thoughts on these matters. Just this morning:
ReplyDelete"The disconnection of life from faith...is largely caused and sustained by the basic message that we constantly hear from Christian pulpits. We are flooded with what I have called 'gospels of sin management' in one form or another, while Jesus' invitation to eternal life now - right in the midst of work, business and profession - remains for the most part ignored and unspoken."
If we really walk in His kingdom now, why would we need to constantly measure everything about it and ourselves? Wouldn't we just revel in it and engage in it? Engage others in it? And let it spread?
Amen brother. I was just listening to Alistair Begg today and he mentioned that a key ingredient is just *knowing* we are forgiven. We don't need training or 5 how-to's, we just need to know deep in our souls that we are forgiven. This is why the woman could weep on Jesus' feet and wipe the tears off with her hair. That is how we are to live our lives. This is how the hymn writer can write, "Oh the bliss of this thought, the my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross" as he crosses the spot in the Atlantic where his daughters drowned. Press on brother, we, the body of Christ, need people like you to live like this and tell others.
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