James 1:25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.It is tragic (and probably partially causal) that calling people to be hearer's and doer's of Jesus' Word has become a cliche in our generation. I caught myself the other day apologizing for saying, "...the Bible says..." because I could see the semi blank stare (and eye rolling) of the people (Christians) I was talking to. Afterward I began reflecting on a couple things that stood out to me in our conversation...
First, I was struck by the fact that it seems today that we are so often inclined to talk about the latest great book or idea BUT wary of going to the Bible for the exact same idea. And the same could be said for any number of spiritual disciplines or "habits". I guess it is because they seem to have become common to us.
Second, I was embarrassed (and angry at myself) that I had apologized for using the Bible to support a relevant idea. I was embarrassed because I felt myself giving in to what is truly common... and becoming like everyone else. This got me thinking about a quote I had written down several months before from A.T. Pierson's biography of George Muller called, George Muller: All Things Are Possible:
The most intimate knowledge of God is possible on one condition - that we search His Holy Scriptures, prayerfully and habitually, and translate what we find there into obedience. (pg 50)Men like Muller lived lives that were marked with a different set of convictions, a different set of values, and that resulted in strange uncommon habits and priorities. They were driven by a focus on Jesus, generous to a fault, surrounded by simple men and women (like them) building a simple kind of church. They fought with passion for a holy life and often fell on their faces in humble prayer and intercession... and they read their Bibles... oh did they read... over and over... front to back... on their knees... through tears... and with many prayers. That my friends today is uncommon. It would seem that if we are to live the life that follows Jesus whole heartedly we will find that we are in a different sort of company... uncommon not just in the world we share but in the faith we profess.
Lord... I want to be uncommon. Strengthen my "hind feet". Prepare me for battle. And give me courage to live and speak for you any time, any place, at any cost. Amen.
1 comment:
Amen. And having been under your leadership for 6 years, Jason and my lives were changed by your "using" the Bible. In fact, we were just talking the other day about the Romans study. What an example to us.
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