|
When peace like a river attended my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul I am currently in the middle of two books, Live No Lies by John Mark Comer and Your Story Has a Villain by Jonathan Pokluda. While I have yet to finish them, I highly recommend both! In their own way each outlines way Christians should imitate the example of Christ as He fought the lies of the enemy with the truth of God. Such a simple concept and one as old as the church itself, but also one that I seem to continually need to be reminded. Comer explains, “The goal of reading Scripture is not information, but spiritual formation. To take on the ‘mind of Christ.’ To actually think like Jesus thinks” Wow. Practically, this takes the command in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” and the promise in John 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” and imports them into the daily life of the Christian. To follow the example of Jesus in the desert, It looks something like this: — Lie: My peace and security are found in the dollar amounts I see when I log onto my bank’s iPhone app. Truth: Matthew 6:33 & 34 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” — Lie: I am alone. Truth: Matthew 6:33 & 34 — “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” — Lie: Look at all the good things I’ve done, I deserve __________. Truth: Ephesians 2:8 & 9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Lie: I failed… again, I am worthless. Truth: Romans 5:18-21 “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” In this way we fight back against the father of lies, tearing down his kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit and by the truth of God’s Word. This is a life-giving discipline and one that I hope to strengthen throughout my life. Here is a useful tool for practicing this in your own life. I stole it from John Mark Comer who took it from Evagrius Ponticus, who imitated Jesus.
|
