The human mind is an amazing thing. Barring physical or mental handicaps, we can learn to do just about anything. However, the key word there is "learn." We aren't just born with the knowledge and ability to do most things. Even basic functions such as walking, speaking, writing, even using the bathroom, had to be taught to us as children.
Therefore, for us to believe that our Christian experience would be somehow different from the rest of our life experiences is rather naive. True indeed, there is something miraculous and supernatural that happens when we are born again and our spirits are made new in Christ. I don't want to marginalize the power of the Holy Spirit in salvation in any way. However, just as newborn babies need to, in many ways, learn to live as humans, newborn believers must also learn to live as Christians.
There is a lie that is being perpetuated among Christian circles by people with agendas that seek to take advantage of the flock, that says, "Get saved and then you won't struggle anymore." Or, "Get saved and God's favor will fall on you and life will be full of sunshine and rainbows." The problem with that type of "prosperity" teaching is that those promises aren't founded in the promises of scripture. Like all fairy tales, they are make-believe.
The Bible teaches us that apart from saving faith in Christ through the power of the Gospel, we (that is, ALL people) are spiritually dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). In this spiritual death, we are unable to do anything to change or affect our plight. Think of it this way, can a corpse do anything about being dead? Of course not! A corpse can't do anything at all...it is without life. In his great mercy though, God has granted new life to formerly spiritually dead bodies. In this newness of life, we now have the ability to follow after God in obedience. Additionally, we are imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit which is at work in us renewing our hearts and minds (Ephesians 2:4-10). That is, in a nutshell, the promise of scripture to the believer.
However, nowhere does it say any of this will be easy or come naturally to us. In fact, much of what we see in scripture, and have learned from experience, is that, quite to the contrary, the process is difficult and messy. The process of sanctification (that is growing in holiness) is much like surgery, and as anyone who has had a surgical procedure can attest, it can be very painful. The results make it worth the pain though.
As believers we have to learn what it means to live in obedience to Christ. We learn this from scripture, but there is also much we can learn from other believers. If I wanted to learn to play an instrument or fix a car, I could study on my own from books...or I could learn from a trusted teacher who has much wisdom and insight into the skills I am seeking to acquire for myself. Both methods of learning are good, but I think most of us would agree that learning from another offers additional benefits that just can't be found elsewhere.
God has intended and ordained to use Christian community as a means through which believers are edified and cared for. When we live our lives among other believers, we are simultaneously given the gift of being built up by others, and the awesome responsibility to build others up in the power of the Gospel. It is a two-way street where we are both pouring in and being poured into.
However, we live in a world in which technological innovations which promise to bring the entire world closer together, are actually proving to isolate us from one another. Don't get me wrong, technology has opened up access to more information than has ever been available before. For the Christian, this means that we now have access to the most gifted Biblical teachers and preachers the world has to offer. Yet, no amount of information can or should replace, in the lives of believers, the role of participation in the local church.
Your favorite sermon podcast or Christian blog isn't going to hold you accountable or watch your life for blindspots. Only your brothers and sisters in Christ can do that. It is the way God has designed us to live and his will for our lives It is of the utmost importance that we take the time to cultivate those relationships in our lives...for our good and God's glory.
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 8 - Living in the Power of the Gospel
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. Who are Timothy and Epaphroditus, and why does Paul put them forward as examples?
2. Why is character important to the Christian life?
3. How can we be men/women of character worthy of the Gospel?
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