Conformed or Transformed?

One of these is self-motivated and issues only in that which is temporary and profane. The conformed life's reward is fleeting and must constantly be replaced with the next level of compliance in order to remain relevant. Living according to the world's standards breeds anxiety as the individual strives to adjust their public image in order to belong.

There is no purpose in the conformed existence beyond safety in anonymity. The loudest and most powerful voice, itself subject to the whim and pressures of conformation among its peers, gets to define who I am and that which is "true" for me. Relationships in this context are often based on gain and headed for failure due to un-met expectations even before they begin.

A transformed life, on the other hand, is one of perfect freedom. Its foundation is an understanding that I have purpose...that the individual has been created for a specific role which he/she is meant discover, develop and succeed in. It affirms that my existence has been intentionally planned as an integral piece of God's desire for the created order.
My place and role also have an eternal significance which extends far beyond that which I can see, touch and experience in the moment. My life is not subject to the pressure of society's shifting norms. I am not anxious, looking for the next fad or new way to belong.

Because I know who I am, what I was meant to be and my ultimate place of residence, I can move with confidence and courage into situations that many in society would consider risky. God's protection and empowerment allows, even compels me to walk among those the community would reject or ignore, precisely because I am not seeking to gain from my association with them or afraid to be seen among them, but only to serve God's purposes for them.

The transformed life gives me the freedom to concentrate on what could become eternal relationships rather than momentary self-serving acquaintances. I can, without fear, "abhor evil, hold fast to what is good and bless those who persecute me." (Rom.12)

Conformation or Transformation? I chose the latter. What about you?
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Rejoice in Suffering?

Paul says, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit."
(Rom.5:3-5 ESV)

So, suffering in the end produces hope. Really? From the world's perspective this seems so counter-intuitive...in fact, completely insane! We don't ever happily volunteer to suffer. Pain is to be avoided at all costs. Massive resources and huge amounts of energy are expended in the cause of pain avoidance and the negation of suffering...especially where it concerns me. Self-sacrifice, if it was every a part of our lives, has become a distant memory. It is considered an ancient and no longer relevant paradigm, to be replaced by the gods of self-actualization and self-fulfillment. After all, we have a right to be happy, don't we?

When we hear Paul's affirmation in Romans 5, the automatic reaction of our sin nature is incredulity. This simply can't be true. However, Paul goes on to demonstrate that what the world considers folly is, in fact, the only place where hope can be realized. Why?

"Self" was what got the world in this mess in the first place. It was the sin of Adam. From God's perspective, self-anything is idolatrous. Self is the idol of our broken age. It stands in direct opposition to the biblical call of Jesus to "take up your cross and follow" him. Jesus' example of self-sacrifice demonstrated that God's intended paradigm for our personal fulfillment is through the cross...following Jesus.

As we willingly agree to die to self, we participate in Jesus death and are raised with him to eternal life. Eternity is our context! Once we understand that reality and it becomes a part of our everyday makeup, sacrificing self for the sake of others almost becomes second nature. We have already been assured of eternal life and not one hair on our head will be harmed, so we can face any challenge...no matter how hard and what the worldly cost, because we know where our ultimate future lies.

We can indeed rejoice when we suffer because others are being served and given through our example a glimpse of that which awaits them in eternity. They, through our suffering and endurance, see hope in action...and the everlasting love of the Father for us which is lavished upon us through the work if the Holy Spirit. If joy can result from our pain and brokenness, it can also for them. TBTG

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Roadblocks to Surrender (Part 1)

There are two primary issues that become roadblocks to surrender, even when a seeker desires with all his/her heart to believe. The first is about worthiness, and the attendant question, "Can God ever love me?" In our society, merit and status are based on observable performance. Unfortunately, in many Christian circles, that same formula is misapplied to an individual's relationship with God.

Performance encumbered believers occupy pews in many, if not most, evangelical churches. "By grace through faith"(Eph.2:8) is taught from the pulpit, but neither understood nor appropriated. They continue to operate as if sin and good are weighed in the balance; and... that if they can only do enough good, God will be impressed into forgiving the dark and sinful moments of indiscretion. And it also follows that, if my sin is of a caliber that would make the community in which I live reject me, then God will certainly do so also.

Thanks be to God, the gospel is mediated by a completely different premise. In Romans 3:23 Paul contends that, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Given this to be true, if the world's criteria are applied, then no one can be loved. No one can be saved. However, in the very next verse, Paul affirms, (24) we are, "...justified by his (God's) grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.". So, God not only loves us, he does so with such intensity that he was willing to sacrifice his Son for us. There is no performance required, except to..."receive (Jesus) by faith." (25)

If this is you...the one who thinks that the depth of your sin denies you access to God and the forgiveness he offers...take heart, just the opposite is true! Confess your sin...for nothing is beyond redemption. God will forgive you and "cleanse you from all unrighteousness" (1Jn.1:9) Then ask him to send the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, to lead you into righteous thinking and behaviour. Performance is a consequence, not a prerequisite.
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Worthy of His Calling

(2Th.1:11-12) "...we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for and every good work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

On this day of new beginnings, Lord I pray for all of the Anglican diaspora in North America - those who fellowship and contend in the ACNA together for the gospel, and those who have chosen for another season to walk apart.

Lord, you know all of our plans and motives, the state of our hearts and the depths of our brokeness. All things are in Your hands and we will accomplish nothing of significance unless You ordain and empower us to will and act.

Extend Your hand, Lord, and bless Your people of faith, That we may walk in Your will and purposes. Make us worthy of this calling, that Your name may be glorified among us. I pray these things in Jesus holy and righteous name. Amen
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Does God Want Denominations?

In this age of rapid reformation there are those, even among our Anglican brothers and sisters, who react with dismissal and revulsion towards any kind of hierarchical organization of the church. They believe that the autonomous freedom to make any and all decisions, with minimal oversight or accountability, is both their right and their calling. George Barna's negative view if the organizational structures has become the rally cry for a whole new generation of post-denomination church planters.

There is, however, a big problem with this perspective. It stands in direct biblical opposition to the will of God! Administrative and hierarchical organization of the body of worshipers - even the buildings themselves, are part of God's declared plan for his people. (1Chron.17:11-12)

Secondly, the hierarchical structure was also established according to God's plan. (1Chron.23-26) Here we find: officer, priests, administrators, servers, gate-keepers, musicians etc. There were people in charge at every level accountable to God and those who were accountable to them for the work that needed to be done.

This isn't just an Old Testament model. As the Christian church was being formed, God again established a hierarchy...albeit as a part of the body, all of equal importance to the whole, but a vertical structure none the less... each with different gifts and roles. (1Cor.13; Heb.13:17).

It is clear that the church requires structure - requires oversight - requires processes through which believers can be raised up, discipled, sent out to do ministry - supervised - provided support and accountability. Rightly constructed and biblically run, denominations are God's instrument for this task. This is not, as some would have us believe, a "necessary evil", but an ordained and celebrated reality. Thank you, Lord!


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He Will Never Let the Righteous Parish

Psalm 55:22 (NIV), "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."
The operative word in this wonderful passage is "will"...God "will". This is a promise for provision and protection that is made even more encompassing through the use of the Greek word "oudepote" translated in English as never. Oudepote has eternal significance. God will hold us up eternally, literally for ever!
But does this mean that nothing bad will ever happen to us? It does not. In fact, Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble. (John 16:33 NIV). However, Jesus also told us that He has overcome the world.
So...bad things will indeed happen to believers and non-belivers alike. However, we will be healed and restored through the blood of the Lamb as His kingdom is realized and becomes manifest among us. This certain knowledge is given that we might find peace in it.
Jesus will sustain and uphold us in the midst of the greatest trouble this broken world can throw at us. (Psalm 55:18) "But I call to God, and the lord saves me." (55:16)
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