"This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it; the process is not yet finished but it is going on. This is not the end but it is the road; all does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified." - Martin Luther"Christians are fond of claiming that Christianity is not a religion, that it's a personal relationship ... Religion places a major emphasis on rules and rituals that are supposed to either manipulate God or earn his favor. The tell-tale mark of religion is easy to spot. It's a one-size-fits-all approach to spirituality: "Following our rules, fulfill our rituals, and God (or the gods) will be pleased and placated ... Relationships are completely different. No one-size-fits-all recipe can guarantee a great relationship. Whether we're talking about husband and wife, close friends, co-workers, or parent and child, every relationship is different. No two are ever exactly alike. What builds and sustains one is often of no value in another." - Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God, Larry Osborne
This past Sunday during our Primetime, we started to discuss the question, "Is the Christian life a religion or a relationship?" We know that we are saved by the grace of God and that Christ's work on the cross has imputed righteousness unto us. We also know that we are justified by faith and not by works. These truths are the foundation to our faith and yet these important concepts regarding salvation fail to make its full impact on a daily basis. We struggle to reflect the truth of the gospel in everything we do. We still have a tendency to think that we can earn God's favor through our works and good deeds. Don't get me wrong. I do believe that there is nothing wrong with doing what is right. But, let me ask you a question. What is the motivation behind that pursuit of godliness? That is what we will be discussing for the next few months during our Primetime. I hope that through our discussions, we will be able to realize the striking and profound difference between pursuing the Christian life as a religion and pursuing the Christian life as a relationship with the Almighty God.
faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified ... I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" - Galatians 2:16,21
4 comments:
Sounds like a fruitful discussion. Wish I could be there!
Indeed the statements of Larry Orborne are true. If we apply those same principles to the ministry (like PR1M3) how do we reconcile the apparent need for structure versus the need for "free-form" function? In light of Osbourne's statements can we have relationship-building using a cookie cutter approach? Does "forced" discussions and interactions within a set program subscribe to a one-size-fits-all recipe? And if it, does a ministry seeking to be fruitful address that issue? The key question: how does a minstry or affinity group promote and foster the building of valuable relationships in a lively, genuine, sincere non-methodical manner?
"No one-size-fits-all recipe can guarantee a great relationship." Did he steal this quote from Dr. Phil? Really, it doesn't get more obvious than this. A methodical or non-methodical distinction doesn't matter either, IMHO. Like most things in life, this is about heart and attitude.
A relationship or group relationship will work and grow, etc., only if the participants want it to. This involves seeing value in each individual. This involves genuinely caring for someone close to as much as you care for yourself. And this involves allowing yourself to be cared for.
Maybe some time together and nifty activities might lead to some more hellos, but there will be nothing beyond that unless individuals make Pr1me, the ministry, and other individuals in it a priority.
The ONLY key question (to me): Do you WANT it?
Consider: We've all made acquaintances through life's rules and rituals (family, work, school, etc) but how many people have you really developed a RELATIONSHIP with that you did not see value in or did not care for? More importantly, have you ever had a genuine RELATIONSHIP with someone that you didn't let in?
It sounds like the key is finding some kind of balance between structure and self-motivated relationship-building.
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