The Life We Now Live

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ( Galatians 2:20 ) 

My man children set up this blog site for me almost ten years ago because they thought I should be sharing my rookie farming experiences. One of Josh's seminary professors required his students to keep a blog, and that's sort of how this whole blog thing got started. I'm sure some people think I should just stick with farming. 

Early on I wrote things that now make me cringe because I've grown in my faith, and hopefully farming, but I've come to see that's the growth process we should be experiencing as believers. As we dig deeper into the Bible and prayer daily, we become more mature in our walk with the Lord Jesus. That's why I think journalling can be helpful as it catalogs the journey. 

For all of that time I never received a bit of push back from anyone. I don't claim to have alligator skin, but I would have welcomed it and hopefully been able to step back and look and listen. Well, I never had unfavorable responses, that is, until I began writing against the word-faith / prosperity gospel. 

This was interesting to me that some are so passionate about this theology, and as I did, at least I felt I did, step back and ponder this devotion. I heard a pastor say that when you strike out against a particular theology, you may be attacking someone's identity. This made me think because not only did I use to be this way, but I still struggle with it. 

What I mean is that everyone is born needy. Mental health professionals and psychologists tell us that we need purpose, meaning, satisfaction, a way to deal with suffering, hope, and an identity. As far as identity goes, we can find it in many different things, good things even, like spouses, children, careers, talents, hobbies, status, titles, and yes, a certain belief system. 

The problem is that none of these things can bear the weight of our neediness; eventually they'll collapse under the strain when the spouse dies or leaves us or the money runs out or the career ends, whatever the case may be. 

When we come to faith in Christ, we find our true identity. The Christian life fills each of these above longings in the human heart with the Gospel of Jesus Christ who alone can sustain the weight of our neediness. 

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us and made us alive with him, forgiven by God's grace and able to stand clothed in the righteousness of Christ and adopted as God's beloved children. We are ready to serve him with gladness out of a thankful heart for all he has done on our behalf in his sacrificial atonement. ( Romans 5, Ephesians 1 & 2, Colossians 1, Psalm 100 ) 

That is why I think the ontological argument is a great apologetic for the Christian faith. 

Christ doesn't leave us or run out on us - he died once and was resurrected for all who put their trust in him. The life we now live, we live for him in the faith gifted to us. Yes, faith is a gift given by the Holy Spirit at conversion connecting us to the work of Christ, and repentance, granted to us at conversion, is an act of godly sorrow over our sins against a holy God. Jesus accomplished our full salvation. Some of my favorite words of Jesus are, "It is finished." ( John 19:30 ) 

But as much of the New Testament commands us, after conversion, we have a part to play in all of this sanctification business that will not be gloriously completed until the life to come. To use a driving metaphor, our lives here in the flesh, in this fallen world, are like navigating through a thunderstorm in a heavy down pour of rain. With both hands firmly gripped on the steering wheel, our eyes are always fixed on the blurry road in front of us. We can't afford to look away at our cell phones or to adjust the stereo system. 

Our minds have to be rooted in God's Word continually, our lamp and light, as the Holy Scriptures remind us of our identity in Christ lest it become established in something other than Jesus. ( Romans 12:2 ) 

We can veer off the road into false teachings and church traditions if we're not careful. Whether it's the temptation of the social, progressive, or word-faith doctrine, whatever unbiblical belief system, church tradition, or denomination, these can become who we are instead of Christ. 

Sheep can be easily entangled in this thorny trap - I know I was. Even today as much as I love the hymns, catechisms, and creeds of reformed theology, I can't let a certain liturgy become my identity. That's why I say that I'm still challenged as well, and we all will be until we die or Christ comes for us. 

We can't take our hands or eyes off of the Bible. Not only, does the Bible show us who we are, but more importantly, it reveals who God is and this rightly positions us on the path of life as we look intently into the atoning work of Jesus on our behalf and God's greatness and gracious, redeeming plan of being reconciled back to him in Christ. All we need, we find in Christ. 

Paul instructs Pastor Timothy to fight the good fight of faith taking hold of the eternal life to which we were called. 

He charges him "in the presence of God, who gives life to all things and of Jesus Christ, who in his testimony to Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time - 

he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, King of kings and Lord and lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen." ( 1 Timothy 6:11-16 ) 

That's the Christian life we now live and that's the God we serve! And His Word alone shows us how to navigate our identity. 

Soli Deo Gloria!  

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Also, I'd like to humbly ask for prayer for my dad Chester. He's been battling an infection in his leg for over a month now. He's really struggling and we could use some prayer if you think of us! Thank you, Friends! Have a great weekend! 🍁