ed.2.am.2

I was struck with how much the topic of Maturing in Christ resonates in yours truly. Last week's note referred to II Corinthians 5:17 , the metamorphosis that occurs when the Holy Spirit takes the stick of our earth vessel. However, what isn't there is what those new things are.

Sure I've changed, but what of the new self? 2 Peter 1:5-7 outlines the character traits of the mature or maturing Christian.

Even while we're keen to have the faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perserverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love as our new self, the maturation process takes each noun to levels we can't even grasp.

At the time of our forgiveness for sure, and maybe for many years, we likely can't even fathom the depth of love, for example, Peter a/or Silvanus is describing here. Check out the different ways Paul's Greek in Phillippians 1 is translated to describe different depths of love.

Phil 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Also notice the byproducts when you love these ways, discernment, purity, blamelessness, fruit of righteousness -- all critical elements of evangelism.

C.S. Lewis describes a pathway to this type of love in Mere Christianity.

Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.

Rich Young Ruler

Just so happens I'd recorded Rich Young Ruler earlier this year. Some of the notes are a bit a high, so if it gets too painful, Derek's version is also clickable here.

ed.2.am.1

This [blog] deal can start slowly and grow organically as we interact with it and each other. However, it doesn't have to. Although we're often quite comfortable with graduated change, gradual is often a rationalization of our procrastination. (to be read in a jesse jackson "voice")

An awesome additional, double-optional verse that can set our tone is 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Eugene Peterson expressed it this way in The Message.

Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

Sounds like great stuff to be committed to.

How do we achieve such selfless behavior? Well, for one, we move from an ego-centric to a Christ-centric walk.

Galatians 2:20 graphically explains it. The movement from egocentricity isn't some shades of gray, gradual move. It's the absolute crucifixion of the self.
II Corinthians 5:17 suggests metamorphosis (greek meta - change; morph - form) and it's as instant.

For next time, memorize both these -- in your translation. I've put the links to the NASB and NIV verses for Book two in, well, the LINKS section, on the upper right of this page. Also, if you didn't start quiet time and journaling this morning or last night, do it tonight or tomorrow morning. Review the 5 verses from book one at the same time. Knock out your 14 days and we'll be signing off on all that in session 3