Keeping it Simple
PROPER IDENTIFICATION
Christ liveth in me.
Galatians 2:20
We are always intrigued and haunted by the simplicity of first-century Christianity. What would happen if a man started out today to be just a Christian? The idea has inspired books like In His Steps. Well, if a man started out to be “just a Christian” he would probably gather a band of “just Christians” around him, and soon there would be another denomination! Through the centuries believers hungry to recapture the simplicity of the early faith have started out to be just friends or disciples or brethren or some other group. But one always has to watch lest devotion to a group or movement supersede devotion to Christ Himself.
In every Christian Christ lives again. Every true believer is a return to first-century Christianity. The problem is how to maintain the simplicity of being just a Christ-ian, an en-Christed one amid the complexity of the modern religious set-up.
What ought to be most evident in us is that Christ lives in us. If our church or group is more evident than our identification with Christ it is too evident. We are here to advertise Him, not “it” or “us” or “them.” -- Vance Havner
If thou wouldest enjoy the eminent grace of the full assurance of faith, under the blessed Spirit’s influence, and assistance, do what the Scripture tells thee, "Give diligence." Take care that thy faith is of the right kind—that it is not a mere belief of doctrine, but a simple faith, depending on Christ, and on Christ alone.
---Charles H. Spurgeon
Since I find myself constantly surrounded with discussions of doctrine (after all, I am in a Seminary) I thought these two passages by these two great men were very poignant. While we must know doctrine to be able to "give a reason for the hope that we have", the most simple doctrine is to live a live well-pleasing to God. The kind of life that speaks for itself. This kind of life won't have people asking "what does the bible say on this issue?", but will instead inspire them to ask " how can I have the life that you have?, how can I have that joy?, who do you know?". The most simple doctrine ever stated was spoken by our King when he said "Come, Follow me". Three simple words. The same words given to every Christian.
posted by Athosxc @ 7/26/2005 10:57:00 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Well, there is the conundrum. Does the organization, by virtue of it being 'organized' stand in the way of our following Him?
I think it can, and often does. But what does one do? I think that we're genetically disposed to organize in groups, as nations, as races, as religions, as denominations. We gravitate to surrounding ourselves with people that are 'like us'. We're certainly not predisposed to reach out to others not like ourselves, which Jesus did continually.
What I see in many instances is our using the worldly templates we're familiar with as an overlay to Spiritual organizations.
What is God's template? Not that He would need one, but what would it look like for us? Can we employ that template without blowing up a church or an entire religion as we know it now?
Part of the answer for our congregation may be this: (paraphrasing that old bromide of 'if you want a friend, be one' here) "If you want people of salt and light to show up, you need to be salt and light to everyone else first."
You're the seminary guy...give us the answer! :-)
Guitanguran,
Thanks for the reply, and here's how I think I would approach answering. You're completely correct in thinking that we are genetically disposed to organize into groups etc. In almost every way we are constantly falling into a slew of worldly templates. In many ways, this is how we survive.
But we must not forget that man has a dual nature. A human side, and a spiritual side. Since the two are always in conflict (Gal. 5:16-17) One MUST win dominance and pre-immenence (sp?) over the other.
As for "keeping it simple" (not necessarily easy), the idea is to put our spiritual nature in a place of dominance over the sinful nature of our humanity. Of Course as Christians we need to know what template that follows. Thankfully, there is one.
The most simply I've ever heard the Christian life described is "Come follow me" - Jesus Christ The second is found in Micah 6:8 "He has shown you o man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? That you love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with your God".
In every instance of Christ's life, one of His greatest miracles was living this verse to completeness. I can't think of a single instance where more or less than this verse was needed or applied. If I ever needed template, I have found one here. Here is what is necessary for my spiritual survival. Thoughts??
You write about as good as you play piano...:-)
His "Template" takes care of us individually, no doubt. What still, of any organization of 'template followers?
I thing I glean from Paul's letters is that he had alot of trouble keeping some of the ecclesia in line. From the instructions he gave to Timothy, I'd say he expected his young protege' to faced with pretty much the same problems ministers have today, and this with people contemporaneous with the Resurrection, no less! I can only expect any organization, large or small, contemporary or traditional, to groan under the dual nature of its organizers.
My favorite dead for twenty years, still on the radio and online, 'separate covenant for Israel', bible teacher, Dr. J Vernon McGee (OK, so there's probably only one of those, anyway) said once that the type of organization was irrelevant, it was how the people in the organization functioned that made the difference.
Still in His grip,
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