Stress And Slippage

Worldly Stress and the Erosion of Faith from Slippage.

Friend, the growth, or maturity, or manifestation of Christian graces in your life (if you have been reconciled to God through Christ) and the longevity of these graces during your life are not automatic nor a given. What is a given—something which continually presses against and stresses the Christian’s life and the working of God’s graces in your heart—is the presence and influence of the world and those of the world. These worldly influences and their affects most readily and frequently come through people you deal with in all forms of contact. They are constant pressures which can naturally erode faith, if not recognized and counteracted continually.

The Apostle Paul counsels Timothy to be aware of the attitudes and actions of others which, if not understood and counteracted, could lead to the erosion of his faith. Similar to Timothy, you and I (if we have been reconciled to God through Christ) must always pay attention to what and who we relate to, their affects on us, and constantly view our lives as primarily being lived or defined by our relationship with God instead of the world and those of the world. The stress, or pressure, of our worldly interactions pushes against all that is of God in our lives. It is as if darkness is seeking to once again overcome that which is now light. In Christ, we have been transferred from darkness to light, but we live in a world of darkness where we must live preserved from darkness as true light. If we do not remain vigilant against this worldly stress, we are subject to being overcome by it and our lives (practically) could become “faithless.”

Consider the following passages from 2 Timothy:


“BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].” (3:1, Amplified Bible)

“For men will be lovers of themselves . . .” (3:2, NKJV)

“. . . lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (3:4-5)

“. . . these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith” (3:8)

“. . . evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (3:13)


Friend, the way the Apostle Paul counseled Timothy indicates to me that Timothy himself was dealing with these very stresses during his life and ministry. Context supports a view that Timothy’s relational stresses stemmed from those of the world but also within the visible Church. These strains seem to be the same stresses you and I contend with constantly (especially if we are sensitive to the Spirit’s work in our own lives and the workings of evil in the world).

We may differ from Timothy with respect to our vocation and ministry, but we share with him the same onslaught of pressures from the world and the same need to watch over and preserve our faith. To set perspective and direct Timothy, the Apostle Paul contrasts Timothy’s life as a Christian with those stressing him and who are worldly:


“But you [Timothy] have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance . . .” (3:10)

“But you [Timothy] must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. “(3:14-15)

“But you [Timothy] be watchful in all things” (4:5)


Paul’s counsel to Timothy for the preservation of his faith and effectiveness in ministry is, on one level, quite simple: Be Watchful In All Things. Don’t Forget Your Christian Life and Remember The Lives of Other Christians Who Have Struggled Severely For The Same Faith. Do Not Neglect God’s Word. It Gives You The Right Perspective.

Paul seems to guide Timothy with respect to the items above because here is where the pressures or stresses of the world primarily take their aim: Be Distracted With All The Pressures And Stress In The World. Your Christian Experience Is False, Or Else Your Life Would Not Be So Troubled (You Are Alone!). Why Spend Time In God’s Word? What Good Has It Done You? Stare At And Remain Overwhelmed With Me—The World—And All That Is Going On In The World! That Is All There Is And You’re Helpless!

Reader, we too easily submit to the world’s voice, pressures, and we too readily receive the stresses which lead to the erosion of our faith. This eroded condition need not be a description of your or my life though, and there is a remedy if you have experienced erosion of your faith from slippage. Movement from light to darkness often occurs incrementally and without our notice. We suddenly awaken (by God’s grace) and realize how far from a stable and passionate living faith we’ve moved. But the remedy, repentance, unlike the cause, is immediate. Employ Paul’s counsel to Timothy. Rely on God and get in the Word of God! Understand what is going on and remain diligent, watchful and engaged in the life with God in Christ Jesus that you were called to, and every moment of every day be on guard for the stress of the world and the erosion and slippage of your faith!

May the graces of God through Christ Jesus be manifest in your life and be a witness to those in darkness.

Carl


“O Love divine, how sweet thou art!
When shall I find my willing heart
All taken up by thee?
I thirst, I faint, I die to prove
The greatness of redeeming love—
The love of Christ to me.

Stronger his love then death or hell:
No mortal can its riches tell,
Nor first-born sons of light:
In vain they long its depths to see;
They cannot reach the mystery—
The length, the breadth, the height.

God only knows the love of God;
Oh that it now were shed abroad
In this poor, stony heart!
For love I sigh, for love I pine;
This only portion, Lord be mine—
Be mine this better part.

Oh that I could sit
In transport at my Saviour’s feet!
Be this my happy choice;
My only care, delight, and bliss,
My joy, my heaven on earth, be this,
To hear my Saviour’s voice.”

(Charles Wesley, d. 1788)

Forgiveness

Forgiveness:

What do you know about it?
What does it do to you?
What do others know of it through you?



“When this passing world is done—
When has sunk yon glorious sun;
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o’er life’s finished story;
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe!”

“When I stand before the throne,
Clothed in beauty not my own;
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinninng heart;
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe!”

(Rev. Robert M’Cheyn, d. 1843)



Greetings Friend.

M’Cheyn’s words express his heart’s desire to acknowledge before God that he knows the graces of God that he participates in, and that he cannot, this side of heaven, fully grasp nor fully acknowledge what he owes God concerning them. He knows there is this limit, and his confessions serve the purpose of placing him in a humble position before God. M’Cheyn understands to a degree and confesses that. He knows he’ll understand all later, and he anticipates that! He is grateful to God for what God has bestowed upon him.

How about you? What role does that which you understand now play in your confessions to God and in fueling your anticipations toward being with God? Any? Do you believe you understand what Christianity is, but for some reason your life (to yourself and those who observe you) communicates something essential is apparently lacking?

Grace begets grace. As God’s graces work their way through your heart (not just your head), you live differently because grace through the heart transforms one’s entire life. The bible implies this clearly with the phrase being “born again.” A Christian should be a new person, and at a minimum experience as ongoing life principles and expressions those graces that brought about his or her transformation from sinner to saint. That set of transformational graces should remain and grow, manifesting throughout the person’s life and creating grace fruits for others to experience and benefit from. Grace “in the head only” can cause one to “believe” they are something other than what their life testifies about them. Grace believed but not received can prevent one from participating in the life God’s graces intend.

To summarize: If you know you have been a recipient of God’s graces are you yourself gracious? This is how grace begets grace. It touches you, transforms you, and then touches others through you. This can be seen as manifestation of both God’s will and God’s kingdom. The same holds with love begetting love or mercy begetting mercy. If one has truly experienced God’s love and God’s mercy, then that person is transformed and in turn extends love and mercy to others.

Consider the following passages on God’s forgiveness, how the concepts fit together, how your life has been touched by God’s forgiveness, and how you, having been touched and transformed by God’s forgiveness, forgive others. What do the passages below confirm to you about your heart (not your head), your life, and how does your heart direct confession of such truths to God?


“He [Jesus] said to them, "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’” (Matt 6:8-15)

“…the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants . . .Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed . . .This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Matt 18:21-35)

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Col 2:13-14)

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Col 3:12-14)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Eph 4:32)


Friend, observations from the above passages abound. Let me share a few.

God’s forgiveness is transformative.

Forgiveness is a condition that is to be acknowledged regularly by a Christian as a necessary dynamic for living life with and before God. A Christian, as one who has experienced God’s forgiveness personally, should possess a continued awareness of one’s own need for forgiveness from God (and seek it).

Forgiveness, as an ongoing and essential part of life (as is daily bread), is part of the fulfillment of the prayer for God’s will to be done on earth as in Heaven, and is part of the fulfillment of the prayer for God’s kingdom to come. Both of these expressive realities (God’s will and God’s kingdom) are somewhat manifest through the believer’s life when that person lives from and by forgiveness.

The prayer continues and also emphasizes the centrality of temptation and evil in life, which are as real to the Christian’s daily experience as are physical sustenance (bread) and spiritual sustenance (forgiveness). The believer, as a forgiven one, is always aware of these facts and in humility confesses them to God. Daily nourishment is necessary and ongoing. Evil and temptation are ongoing. Forgiveness, because of the continued presence of evil and temptation, is as essential to life as daily bread and should be received, in humility, from God and extended to others.

This sensitivity and discernment with respect to forgiveness is ongoing. As Christians, we are sinners who have been made saints. Christians should confess their sins and seek forgiveness. This ongoing forgiveness does not make us saints, it is because we have been made saints that we want to seek God’s forgiveness and maintain closeness, or intimacy, with God. All people sin. Others need forgiveness. We live in a world of sin. God can be known and experienced as we solicit and receive forgiveness from Him, and as we (when sinned against) forgive as God has us. If forgiveness is absent in life (either the believer with God or the believer with others), then one fails to acknowledge and honor God and one fails to disclose God to others.

Having known God’s forgiveness, but being determined to remain hardened and not forgive others, leads to one’s self-imprisonment and detrimentally affects the lives of others. God will hold accountable those who have benefited from His forgiveness, refuse to be transformed by it, and who alternately live unforgivingly toward others. [See all of Matthew 18:21-35.] It’s as if the forgiven one, by acting unforgivingly, wants to be King, or God. This is clearly evidence of the sinful nature, the flesh, unChristian, and could be seen as evil and demonic.

It seems, though, given the Apostle Paul’s admonitions in Colossians, Ephesians, and elsewhere, that living from the heart God’s forgiveness toward others is severely difficult and almost unnatural. And that’s precisely the point! It is unnatural. It’s supernatural, of God, not of the world or flesh! This is what M’Cheyn acknowledges and confesses to God. This is what the praying person in Matthew 6 confesses, and humbly asks God for the strength to live! You, dear friend, and I cannot live by our own strength the Christian life, life by the principles of God’s graces, nor can we extend forgiveness to another from a closed and hardened heart. You and I must constantly live in humility before God—He is God, not me. Then we can live from humility toward others.

May the graces of God and life of Christ be fully manifest in your heart and given to the world.

Carl



“Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified—
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.”

“When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I’m captive led;
Oft I fall, but still arise—
Jesus comes—the tempter flies:
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.”

(Rev. Robert M’Cheyn, d. 1843)

Remaining Needy

“Alas, what hourly dangers rise!
What snares beset my way!
To heaven, oh, let me lift mine eyes,
And hourly watch and pray.

How oft my mournful thoughts complain,
And melt in flowing tears!
My weak resistance, ah, how vain!
How strong my foes and fears!

O gracious God! in whom I live,
My feeble efforts aid;
Help me to watch, and pray, and strive,
Though trembling and afraid.

Increase my faith, increase my hope,
When foes and fears prevail;
And bear my fainting spirit up,
Or soon my strength will fail.

Whene’er temptations fright my heart,
Or lure my feet aside,
My God, thy powerful aid impart,
My Guardian and my Guide.

Oh, keep me in thy heavenly way,
And bid the tempter flee!
And let me never, never stray
From happiness and thee.

(Anne Steele, d. 1778)


Friend, do the heart pleadings and petitions in the above hymn, to any degree, describe your own toward God? Do you desire those words to be your words to God? Before such words are able to flow naturally from your heart heavenward, you must possess a heavenward heart. Christ is both in heaven and, if a Christian, in your heart. You have all you need to pursue Christ where He is. If you are not pursuing Christ, it is because you either have Him not in your heart, or you have lost sight of your need and where He is in Heaven.

Consider Hebrews 4 and 12:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”

Reader, do you see Christ? Do you have Christ? Are you holding your confession? Do you approach Christ? Do you obtain mercy, grace and help?

What causes you to be and remain weary and discouraged? Your struggles cannot match Christ’s, although they maybe similar in kind. You have needs, this is true, and Christ is always there for you.

Do you know your need? Do you see Christ, see self, or see the world? Only Christ has the provision for your need. Seek Him.


“Our hearts, O Lord, with grief are rent,
O’er vows made all in vain;
In anguish daily we repent,
Each day offend again.

Now we arise from death to life,
Then sink from good to ill;
Here we begin, there leave our strife,
And work but half thy will.

Oh, help us, Lord, amid all pain,
As warriors true, to stand
Faithful and firm, and thus to gain
Thine own, the better land.

Thy land—its gates how bright they shine!
And let no evil in;
Thy boundless land, and all divine,
That hath no room for sin.

Thy holy land, where none shall stop
Our souls upon the road,
And win our weak desires to drop
From glory and from God.

Oh, rich and priceless is the grace
That we shall there receive!
Nor once thine image shall deface,
Nor once thy spirit grieve.

(author unknown)