Without responding to God’s call and provision, spiritual transformation is stunted and we do not participate fully in the development and enjoyment of kingdom living. Our lives are formed, whether by default as driven by the tides of cultural environment, personal proclivities, or spiritual forces; and they are lived according to that forming. Speaking of Christian forming Gordon Mursell says, “The essence of this spirituality is . . . namely the relationship between the gracious God and the saved sinner.”[1] Our lives, when formed by cooperation with God are transformed lives—a reference that indicates the changed and higher nature of such a life. It is a life that increasingly conforms to the image and likeness of God.
There has been an insufficient focus on Christian spiritual transformation within the church for the preceding two hundred years.[2] Although there has been a beginning turnaround, history lamentably exposes an essential need for more people, and communities, to come into a full knowledge of God’s call to discipleship. It is a discipleship manifested in the kingdom life as recorded in both the history of the Bible and extra-biblical writings. Kingdom living is transformed living. We do not enter into this kingdom living without transformation. A transformed life expresses the kingdom life just as winged flight and bird song express a measure of the bird kingdom. This Christian kingdom life is expressed in numerous passages such as Matthew 5-7, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:24, and Colossians 3:10-17.
Kingdom life is holiness and wholeness. It is a life that goes on from, and is above, accepting doctrine to living with God and expressing him. Kingdom life is the transformed life. As far as the transformed life is full and mature it is synonymous with the kingdom life. Where the transformed life falls short it falls short of expressing the kingdom life. If Jesus Christ is the kingdom life (Matthew 4:17; 18:20; John 14:6-7; 18:36; Acts 8:12), my basis here, then to live the kingdom life is to live Jesus (Galatians 2:20). Jesus is the Kingdom life, and by that this author means that the life of Jesus is the realm in which we are to live, and move, and have our being. Jesus claimed that he is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) in which we should live, in which we should live the kingdom life. Living in him (abiding in him) is living the kingdom life. It is to live the life Jesus would live if he were living the disciple’s life today.[3]
Practicing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, fasting, silence, celebration, and abstinence facilitates kingdom life. The kingdom life is lived in God, through God, by God, and in expression of God. It is a life that is increasingly salt and light, does not retaliate, and loves our enemies (Matthew 5:13-16, 38-48). It is our life in which we come to God with the acceptance, dependence, and innocence of a child (Mark 10:14-15). The kingdom life expresses “the fruit of the Spirit [which] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23a).[4]
This kingdom life is that to which God has called us. The kingdom life expresses the beatitudes and the fruit of the Spirit. It is the transformed life matured and a life made more reflective of God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthian 3:18; Colossians 3:10). Moreover, God provides the means to such a life. He enables us to live this life in increasing spiritual maturity (Luke 8:14; 1 Corinthians 14:20; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 4:12; Hebrews 5:14-6:1). This call from God is for the kingdom life to which we are to respond.
We have the opportunity and privilege of responding to God’s calling and provision for spiritual transformation. Additionally, this response leads to the expected spiritual progression that should naturally follow after the new birth described in the Gospel of John. John 3:16 Unfortunately, this passage is popularly quoted for proof of salvation without much attention usually given to the changed nature of the new life that should proceed from the new-birth. This new life, in growing maturity, is the transformed life. It is the kingdom life to the degree it expresses God’s image and likeness.
Although more than two billion people in the world call themselves Christians,[5] what too many “lack is a disciplined life and a critical mind to resist the temptation to conform to what just anyone might think or do (Rom 12:1-3). Decisiveness is the mark of true discipleship.”[6] Too often, those of us concerned with living an example of Christianity are focused on law keeping as a means to that end. Many others are willing, in an almost antinomian (lawless) manner, to agree that such a life is desirable but without restrictive requirements. That is, they might contend, no requirements can be made of the disciple. This spiritual life, if it is possible, they argue, must be spontaneous and confessed as a reality despite possible evidence to the contrary. Some further argue that the demands of such passages as Matthew 5-7 may only be interpreted for a future kingdom of God in the new heaven and earth.[7]
Nominal Christianity in the forms of undisciplined living and self-justified antinomian tendencies hinder the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). In this commission Jesus directed his followers to make disciples. This, of course, is preceded by conversion. Indeed, conversion is the prerequisite to discipleship. Jesus spoke of his authority to fulfill this disciple-making commission when he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18b).
This authority supports the disciple-making commission. We are to observe what Jesus taught his apostles. God calls and provides, and we must respond. This process, not reserved for a future time, results in spiritual transformation as the expression of kingdom life.
Four considerations are helpful to this pursuit: (1) An examination of the meaning of Christian spiritual transformation, (2) what God’s call is to his disciples for Christian spiritual transformation, (3) how God calls disciples to Christian spiritual transformation, and (4) how disciples cooperate with that call and avail themselves of God’s provision for Christian spiritual transformation and kingdom living. We will examine these in future posts.
[1]Gordon Mursell, gen. ed., The Story of Christian Spirituality: Two Thousand Years from East to West (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press 2001), p.167.
[2]Eugene H. Peterson, Subversive Spirituality (Grand Rapids, MI: Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Regent College Publishing, 1997), p. 3.
[3]Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1998), p. 283.
[4]Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible references come from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[5]Adherents.com “Major Religions of The World
Ranked by Number of Adherents,” Preston Hunter; available fromhttp://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html: Internet; accessed 29 February 2008.
[6]Simon Chan, Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study Of The Christian Life (Downer Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1998), p. 69.
[7]Frank E. Gaebelein, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, 1984), vol. 8, Matthew-Mark-Luke, p. 127.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Unlimited Transformation
Let me tell you about a transformative reality. I was in Chino Men’s Prison this Saturday ministering with a small group of men to the prisoners there. I was engaged in a conversation with a man, let’s call him “Henry,” who told me he had just become a Christian forty days ago. Once I told him about this man’s new experience, a dear Christian brother joined me in conversation with Henry. It was easy to see on this man’s face that something deeply significant had happened to him.
In conversation Henry indicated he had led a very dark life, and his convict friend sitting with us acknowledged Henry’s claim with a look and a nod indicating, “You wouldn’t believe it.” Henry said he had spent some twenty years in prison, you guess his crimes. He said his evil life was shown all over his body. I asked him to show us what he was talking about. Well after asking if we were sure, he pulled up his pant leg and then his shirt to reveal tattoos that I don’t think would be appropriate to fully describe. He also had a very large gash in his abdomen from a knifing. I felt dirty after seeing these “tats” and that Christ had been so deeply dishonored. What pain this man must have felt over his life and how much pain he must have inflicted on others.
By the story of these well thought out and inked “tats,” it was clear that Henry had been a white supremacist and hated God and humanity with a fervor that would frighten the most hardened person. Their sexually explicit nature is too offensive for me to describe. Well this man has been changed. I have witnessed it. When a man with swastikas and pentagrams all over his body can sit next to a black man and sing songs to God with a room full of men from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and competing gangs, you can know that God’s promises are true and that people can change as they are transformed by the redeeming power of Christ. Henry’s raised hands in praise, his big hugs, and firm hand spoke louder than the wicked depictions on his body.
Please pray with me, as my Christian brother and I have already begun, that Henry will be a mighty witness for god. Keep Henry and all the other men of Chino Prison in your prayers. It is God’s expectation (Matthew 25: 36-40) and practically speaking such transformation puts men on the streets that are less likely to violate your hoped for peace.
Darryl Wooldridge, February 2009
In conversation Henry indicated he had led a very dark life, and his convict friend sitting with us acknowledged Henry’s claim with a look and a nod indicating, “You wouldn’t believe it.” Henry said he had spent some twenty years in prison, you guess his crimes. He said his evil life was shown all over his body. I asked him to show us what he was talking about. Well after asking if we were sure, he pulled up his pant leg and then his shirt to reveal tattoos that I don’t think would be appropriate to fully describe. He also had a very large gash in his abdomen from a knifing. I felt dirty after seeing these “tats” and that Christ had been so deeply dishonored. What pain this man must have felt over his life and how much pain he must have inflicted on others.
By the story of these well thought out and inked “tats,” it was clear that Henry had been a white supremacist and hated God and humanity with a fervor that would frighten the most hardened person. Their sexually explicit nature is too offensive for me to describe. Well this man has been changed. I have witnessed it. When a man with swastikas and pentagrams all over his body can sit next to a black man and sing songs to God with a room full of men from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and competing gangs, you can know that God’s promises are true and that people can change as they are transformed by the redeeming power of Christ. Henry’s raised hands in praise, his big hugs, and firm hand spoke louder than the wicked depictions on his body.
Please pray with me, as my Christian brother and I have already begun, that Henry will be a mighty witness for god. Keep Henry and all the other men of Chino Prison in your prayers. It is God’s expectation (Matthew 25: 36-40) and practically speaking such transformation puts men on the streets that are less likely to violate your hoped for peace.
Darryl Wooldridge, February 2009
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Who Would Jesus Torture?
by David Batstone
Christians of strong religious faith and sound moral conscience often end up in disagreement. Human affairs are a messy business, unfortunately, and even at the best of times we only see through a glass, darkly.
It is hard for that reason to call Christians to a universal standard of behavior. At this moment, however, we cannot afford to dilute the message of Jesus into meaningless ambiguity. There are certain acts that a follower of Jesus simply cannot accept. Here is one: A Christian cannot justify the torture of a human being.
The practice of torture by American soldiers is a hot topic at the Pentagon, in the Congress, and in the White House at the moment. The U.S. Senate already has passed 90-9 a bill that prohibits "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment" of prisoners in U.S. custody. The lead advocate of the bill, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), was tortured by his captors during the Vietnam War. According to The New York Times, the Pentagon adopted a policy last Thursday to rein in interrogation techniques. The new policy uses much of the same language as the McCain amendment - drawn in large part from the Geneva Convention - to adopt standards for handling terror suspects.
Remarkably, the White House opposes the Pentagon initiative, and threatens to veto any legislation to which the McCain bill gets attached. Vice President Dick Cheney has urged Republican senators to allow CIA counterterrorism operations internationally to be exempt from the ban on mistreatment of prisoners, major newspapers reported.
On Nov. 3, Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff for then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, said during an interview on NPR's "Morning Edition" that memos from Cheney's office practically encouraged abuse of Iraqi prisoners. Though in "carefully couched terms" that would allow for deniability, the message from Cheney's office conveyed the sentiment that interrogations of Iraqi prisoners were not providing the needed intelligence. Wilkerson said soldiers in the field would have concluded that to garner better intelligence they could resort to interrogation techniques that "were not in accordance with the spirit of the Geneva Conventions and the law of war."
Republican senators are among the strongest voices in the growing chorus of criticism. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) said, "I think the administration is making a terrible mistake in opposing John McCain's amendment on detainees and torture." And Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and co-sponsor of McCain's measure, agreed: "I firmly believe that it's in the best interest of the Department of Defense, the men and women of the United States military that this manual be their guide."
When the existence of secret CIA detention centers became public this week, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) called for investigations - not about whether they violate laws governing human rights - but about how the information was leaked. But members of their own party are keeping the focus where it belongs. The Washington Post quoted Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) as saying, "Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees. The real story is those jails."
Admittedly, Christians of good faith part paths when political conflict leads us to consider what constitutes a just and righteous war - or if any war can be just. Though we may not consent on the means, we do consent on the need to confront the spread of evil in the world. Yet we can all affirm scripture when it says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:17, 21). When we confront evil with its own means, those means mark our own character.
In that regard, the practice of torture so fully embraces evil it dehumanizes both the torturer and its victim. No just cause can be won if it relies on torture to succeed. Democracy and freedom cannot result from a war fueled by torture, which is why so many Americans were shocked and angered by the disturbing incidents that took place at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
All the more so, Christians must oppose torture under any circumstances. Consider this: Who would Jesus torture? I cannot imagine Jesus finding a single "exemption" that would justify such an abuse of any individual made in God's image.
Though I bristle whenever I hear someone refer to the United States as a Christian nation - it is such a loaded phrase - many in the Muslim world see us as such. How tragic it would be for Muslims to identify the message and mission of Jesus with torture and terror. We must not allow that to happen.
Source: SojoMail http://www.sojo.net/sojomail
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
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