Tuesday, February 15, 2005
The Strength of Joy
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I live in Texas. Arminian Revivalism is rampant here. It seems that all smiling, big-haired, rich TV evangelists come from Texas. Even churches that don't consider themselves Arminian are in many ways unknowingly. Essentially the problem with Arminianism is that the burden of saving people lies on other people instead of on God. Only God can save a someone. We can never be "soul-winners". That phrase is nearly blasphemous to me as it is only the blood of Christ that has ever "won" a soul.
Arminianism produces what the Internet Monk cleverly calls a "wretched urgency" to convert people, to get them to say a formulaic prayer so that they can get their ticket to heaven and our churches to grow. Faith is largely seen as a one time act, a prayer you say after hearing "the bridge" or 'Roman's Road". After checking off the believing box, then you continue on in the Christian life doing things: serving the community, working to be a better mom, spouse, friend, witnessing to people, etc. You may have to say the prayer again because the sin in your life indicates that you didn't really mean it.
The Arminian exaltation of human effort and free will over God's sovereignty often leads to a "works righteousness" theology of sanctification. What we do for God is much more heavily emphasized than knowing God and being like him in character. Conspicuously missing is a passion for who God is. Glaringly evident is a focus on our efforts and what God does for you. To consider this issue in depth, read imonk's captivating article "Wretched Urgency".
What I must address here is the particular toll this kind of misplaced focus take on mothers in particular. Do we not already suffer enough guilt over what we do and don't do by nature of our job and feminine make-up? A C.E.M. has a great amount of responsibility and an endless list of things that must be done. We can easily get caught up in a works righteousness that will quench the Spirit and our joy and lead to drudgery and deadness. As an aside, recognize that it is usually your pride that is attracted to works righteousness theology. In this kind of approach to Christian living, you are the one in control, trials or blessings depend on what you do. You are the one who gets the glory for your righteousness, despite an occasional reference to how God is empowering you. It's because of your effort that He is able to use you, right?
No, don't agree with me! That is wrong! You are only conscious because God has willed it to be so! If you do anything that is good, it is His grace in you that has done it. He gets all the glory. All of it. And we get the joy of knowing Him, of admiring Him, of delighting in His glory. Imagine something divinely beautiful to you; is there not pleasure and joy in admiring and praising its excellence? This is how we relate to God, seeing His beauty with the eyes of faith. The joy of the beholding that beauty by faith becomes our strength to live our lives righteously and pleasing to Him. The joy of faith is what adorns our lives, fills them with radiance and makes them uniquely, strangely, wonderfully attractive to others. It is our joy in the Lord by faith that glorifies Him.
Nehemiah 8:10 - Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
There is a time for everything, as the writer of Ecclesiastes says, and of course it would not be wise to read this verse and excuse our chocolate habits. However, the phrase "the joy of the Lord is your strength," has been echoing in my mind for months now. A recovering legalist, I haven't known much joy in believing, more fatigue in working. I have kept my life and relationships manageable so that I could feel successful and spiritual in my efforts, but all the while a growing fear and depression brooded beneath my competent surface. Difficulties with a family member I love very much reminded me that I could not count on keeping my children's lives within a controllable boundary. I cannot count on my own efforts to ensure a relatively pain free life. I was a fool to entertain the idea. I knew that, but the thought of real grief, more than I already bore, threatened to crush me. My fearful, self-reliant thought patterns combined with the constant suffering I heard reports of in the world tightened around my heart like a noose.
Mom, if you are not drained and depressed and deadened yet by following the teachings of works righteousness, just wait. You will be. Worse than your own misery and guilt will be the effect that works-righteousness or legalism will have on your children. How many kids have rebelled ferociously against Christ because of the joyless legalism of their parents? My mother was one of these who was pushed and pushed to do the right thing for God without knowing the joy of faith and the joy of the freedom we have in Christ. She has yet to fully recover at 55. His grace covers us, we are free from the guilt of our sin and we as mothers desperately need to live and communicate those gifts to our children. Legalism, or religious perfectionism, is so damaging to our children. They can't be perfect! They are sinners just as yourself. Teach them the hope and freedom of faith in Christ and obediance that comes through love; teach them that Christ is gracious and sovereign and is perfectly able to somehow turn all things for good to those who trust Him.
As I have learned to trust the Lord, it has largely been through my imperfections, failures and weaknesses that God has worked wonders, both in my own life, my marriage, my children and in other relationships. He has begun to develop a depth, a hope, a peace and a joy that perfectionism could have never grown.
Let your "to do" list, though certainly helpful, be eclipsed by daily meditation on God as revealed in the person of Christ. The life we live is "by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13
Arminianism produces what the Internet Monk cleverly calls a "wretched urgency" to convert people, to get them to say a formulaic prayer so that they can get their ticket to heaven and our churches to grow. Faith is largely seen as a one time act, a prayer you say after hearing "the bridge" or 'Roman's Road". After checking off the believing box, then you continue on in the Christian life doing things: serving the community, working to be a better mom, spouse, friend, witnessing to people, etc. You may have to say the prayer again because the sin in your life indicates that you didn't really mean it.
The Arminian exaltation of human effort and free will over God's sovereignty often leads to a "works righteousness" theology of sanctification. What we do for God is much more heavily emphasized than knowing God and being like him in character. Conspicuously missing is a passion for who God is. Glaringly evident is a focus on our efforts and what God does for you. To consider this issue in depth, read imonk's captivating article "Wretched Urgency".
What I must address here is the particular toll this kind of misplaced focus take on mothers in particular. Do we not already suffer enough guilt over what we do and don't do by nature of our job and feminine make-up? A C.E.M. has a great amount of responsibility and an endless list of things that must be done. We can easily get caught up in a works righteousness that will quench the Spirit and our joy and lead to drudgery and deadness. As an aside, recognize that it is usually your pride that is attracted to works righteousness theology. In this kind of approach to Christian living, you are the one in control, trials or blessings depend on what you do. You are the one who gets the glory for your righteousness, despite an occasional reference to how God is empowering you. It's because of your effort that He is able to use you, right?
No, don't agree with me! That is wrong! You are only conscious because God has willed it to be so! If you do anything that is good, it is His grace in you that has done it. He gets all the glory. All of it. And we get the joy of knowing Him, of admiring Him, of delighting in His glory. Imagine something divinely beautiful to you; is there not pleasure and joy in admiring and praising its excellence? This is how we relate to God, seeing His beauty with the eyes of faith. The joy of the beholding that beauty by faith becomes our strength to live our lives righteously and pleasing to Him. The joy of faith is what adorns our lives, fills them with radiance and makes them uniquely, strangely, wonderfully attractive to others. It is our joy in the Lord by faith that glorifies Him.
Nehemiah 8:10 - Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
There is a time for everything, as the writer of Ecclesiastes says, and of course it would not be wise to read this verse and excuse our chocolate habits. However, the phrase "the joy of the Lord is your strength," has been echoing in my mind for months now. A recovering legalist, I haven't known much joy in believing, more fatigue in working. I have kept my life and relationships manageable so that I could feel successful and spiritual in my efforts, but all the while a growing fear and depression brooded beneath my competent surface. Difficulties with a family member I love very much reminded me that I could not count on keeping my children's lives within a controllable boundary. I cannot count on my own efforts to ensure a relatively pain free life. I was a fool to entertain the idea. I knew that, but the thought of real grief, more than I already bore, threatened to crush me. My fearful, self-reliant thought patterns combined with the constant suffering I heard reports of in the world tightened around my heart like a noose.
Mom, if you are not drained and depressed and deadened yet by following the teachings of works righteousness, just wait. You will be. Worse than your own misery and guilt will be the effect that works-righteousness or legalism will have on your children. How many kids have rebelled ferociously against Christ because of the joyless legalism of their parents? My mother was one of these who was pushed and pushed to do the right thing for God without knowing the joy of faith and the joy of the freedom we have in Christ. She has yet to fully recover at 55. His grace covers us, we are free from the guilt of our sin and we as mothers desperately need to live and communicate those gifts to our children. Legalism, or religious perfectionism, is so damaging to our children. They can't be perfect! They are sinners just as yourself. Teach them the hope and freedom of faith in Christ and obediance that comes through love; teach them that Christ is gracious and sovereign and is perfectly able to somehow turn all things for good to those who trust Him.
As I have learned to trust the Lord, it has largely been through my imperfections, failures and weaknesses that God has worked wonders, both in my own life, my marriage, my children and in other relationships. He has begun to develop a depth, a hope, a peace and a joy that perfectionism could have never grown.
Let your "to do" list, though certainly helpful, be eclipsed by daily meditation on God as revealed in the person of Christ. The life we live is "by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13
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