Perspective

The sun’s rays illuminated the sky with colors only God could have thought to create. The purples, oranges, reds, yellows and blues splashed together to form a masterpiece signifying the setting of the sun. Soon, darkness covered the entire landscape, but for those precious moments, I was mesmerized by the greatness of God. As I climbed out of the treestand I couldn’t help thinking of how God, in his glory, magnificence and sovereignty, ensured all could clearly see His fingerprint in all of creation.

Yet, I should have recognized that far sooner than the setting of the sun. I am quite sure I made the same mistake countless others have made before me…

I focused only on the external.

Don’t we Christians do that a lot? Think of how we evaluate ourselves and each other, our ministries and our church. Isn’t it usually based on our results instead of our growth in Christ? The sticks, bricks and mortar of the church and its programs shape our perspective.

Perhaps that is where we get it wrong – We are not looking at things from God’s perspective.

I know, I know – scriptures about a light on the hill and under a bushel basket are raising flags as you read this. Bearing fruit in good season while being planted by water also comes rushing to the mind. Some would ask this question: “If we don’t focus on the external, how can we possibly evaluate how we are doing?”

Solomon had an opinion on this!

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Ecc 1:2 (NIV)

What a statement!

Solomon certainly does not pull any punches does he? Let’s see where this takes us as we explore Ecclesiastes in the next two months.

Perhaps, we just need to change our perspective!

Rejoice

Phi 2:12b-13 NIV: …continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

What a conundrum!

How do we humans work out our salvation? And why should we do so with fear and trembling?

Can you see the churches of West Bend arguing the first question? Oh my, the division between work-oriented and grace-oriented salvation would grow even greater if this were discussed. “How dare men think they have anything to do with their own salvation,” would be the stance of many. Yet, we must be careful to identify Paul's intent. Is he really saying we have a hand in our own salvation?

Paul, first and foremost, succinctly argues his position on salvation in the entirety of his writings; so taking this to mean something completely different simply is not logical. He clearly establishes we do not gain salvation through any means other than Christ. His intent in Philippians is not counter to that position. Paul simply encourages us to rejoice in Christ, work in Christ and live Christ, which puts forth these valid points:

-- In Christ, we live life in a worthy manner
-- In Christ, we live in the light
-- In Christ, we live in victory
-- In Christ, He is our source for everything
-- In Christ, we live a life of service
-- In Christ, God finishes His work in us
-- In Christ, we do the work of the gospel
-- In Christ, we are united
-- In Christ, we develop a Christ-like attitude
-- In Christ, God reveals His will
-- In Christ, He is our strength

This is the working out of a person’s salvation…Notice there is nothing about the gaining of salvation. That, of course, was accomplished in Christ’s actions: cross, grave and resurrection. If we step back and think about it, the word ownership leaps off the page as we realize these are actions we choose. We choose to follow Christ’s example and live by biblical precepts; we choose to follow the Spirit-led promptings in our lives; and, we choose to show the love and compassion of Christ in all things.

And when we fail, we understand it is not held against us. Instead, we go forward with a repentant attitude and humble heart as we strain to reach our goal – Christ Jesus our Lord.

What a joy! We should do as Paul suggests and REJOICE mightily in the Lord, for he is our all-in-all for all things.

Now, do we do so in fear?

I say NO! We do not have a spirit of fear in Christ…

Paul is not actually addressing the physical fear one faces. I’m quite sure he knows about the sovereignty of God and its impact on each of us. He is, though, making a point to take these actions very seriously. It is not a game – All things eternal center on Christ, and we should seriously weigh our actions in this area.

I may fail, but my God is a mighty God who watches over me and protects me in all things. He supplies my every need and gives me the strength to grow in Him.

I believe this wholeheartedly and strive to make the choices to keep myself In Christ – the working out of my salvation…

Phi 4:13 NIV: I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.

Ownership

Phi 4:13 NIV: I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.

With this short, concise sentence, Paul brings this letter to its most logical conclusion – Being in Christ makes all things possible for the Christian because Christ is the strength.

Let’s quickly review what Paul outlined in his letter.

-- Chapter 1 – Christ is the life
-- Chapter 2 – Christ is the example
-- Chapter 3 – Christ is the confidence
-- Chapter 4 – Christ is the strength

Now we see the joy of Paul in its fullest illumination. He is made complete in Christ because Paul chose to claim ownership in Christ. Many Christians simply do not experience the full joy of Christ since they fail to embrace Him and His word with the passion it requires, which puts Him as the center of their life: the example, the confidence and the strength. Claim ownership in Him and rely upon him is Paul’s cry to the Philippians.

Remember, this letter was written while Paul was under house arrest and chained to a Roman guard. You don’t hear that in his words, though…

MaryAnn wrote me an e-mail that addressed ownership in regards to the light of Christ within me, and I think it is very, very valid for each of us.

That light is yours to a certain extent in my opinion. You must maintain it. You are given charge over it. Think about it. The moon moved away from it and lost it! So it is our responsibility to hold on to the light that He gives to us and gives us charge over. Like you said, “Let your light shine.” Hmmmm, makes a person think. Yes, we get it from the Master and the Master is the Key light and it does rub off and
.....

I love her reinforcement of this ideal with the comment about the moon. In The Sweet Song of the Second Fiddle, the moon was not forced from the light. Simply put, it chose to move away from the source – It relinquished ownership of what it received from the sun. Aren’t Christians somewhat like that as well?

As you go forward into today’s circumstances, whatever they may be, identify for yourself the answer to this basic question: Do I claim ownership in Christ and the Word of God, or is it just a collection of good ideas?

Now, take that answer and respond accordingly…

Remember, we simply reflect the light of Christ, but it is a choice!

I choose Christ...

Consumed

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…”

Can you appreciate Paul’s word choice in this verse? And do you take heed of the actions they portray?

Forgetting…Straining

If nothing else, you would have to agree that Paul had zeal and passion for what he believed. Of all the words he could have chosen…

Forgetting is a simple act of not reliving the past. Yet, Christians continue to dwell on what happened yesterday and never get beyond the circumstance or feeling. And that past becomes that person’s identity. If we look at this from the context established in the last post, “Shine,” the rehashing of past events certainly blocks the light of Christ within us.

Now, do not take this out of context…My argument centers on not reliving the past over and over again. I never suggest restricting the application of the past into the present. We learn from these events – both the good and the bad. So, just forgetting it in its entirety does not make much sense. But from a logical point of view, it should not dictate who we are in Christ.

Paul is a great example of this ideal. He put his past behind him for two very important reasons. First, he understood the celebrity of his life was not based on God’s will, and in his religion, Paul was doing for God instead of God doing through Paul. He left prestige, power and influence to be a disciple of Christ. "Called to the Son to reflect the Son," fits Paul's discipleship really well. Second, Paul knew he could not be a new creation and he could not have a renewed mind if he labored to hold onto what he once was! He had to change -- belief, attitude and habit.

When we submit to God, we do so of our own free will. We are not forced; we are not cornered; and, we are not marginalized. God, according to Ephesians, chose us, accepted us, adopted us, redeemed us and forgave us. We need not worry about yesterday. Instead, we, like Paul, must strain toward the prize of Christ.

Straining provides an image of a person with muscles tightened, eyes fixed and thoughts focused as he or she is consumed by one thing. What a vivid picture this word creates. It’s not just a reaching action; every fiber of a person’s being is involved when straining. It also speaks of the light we shine for Christ.

Paul, the tent-maker, Pharisee, Sanhedrin and Christian killer had zeal before his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. That zeal and effort, which we can say was straining, did not change after that incident. God just used that to His glory and honor, not that of Paul's. Paul zealously and passionately let Christ work in him and came to understood the real meaning behind his existence. He came to know and live Christ. His purpose was to edify Christ in all things. Read about Paul in the New Testament, and see the new creation he became in Christ. The Son consumed him!

What consumes you?