The Story of Your Life

THE DISEASE

By default, we carry around in our flesh what I call a Self-Resourcing Virus (SRV). This SRV causes us to rely upon our own wisdom in this life–the internal logic of the natural world. But it doesn’t take into consideration the wisdom of God. Unless we are persuaded otherwise from the scriptures, we will carry this disease, full strength, right into our new life as ones forgiven in Christ. According to Jesus, the Christian life abiding in self, and not the Vine, can produce nothing of value and is only good for gathering and burning (John 15:5-6). Indeed, one who "makes the flesh his strength, turns his heart away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come." (Jeremiah 17:5-6). 

THE CHURCH'S UNINTENDED CONTRIBUTION

The evangelical church has become proficient at "generating growth" for new believers. However, I am concerned these to-do's may sometimes be misunderstood as methods for behavior modification. Though not limited to these, some recommendations include: Doing service. Doing small groups. Doing love your neighbor. Doing selfless giving. Doing generosity. Doing Bible readings. Doing prayer. Doing accountability. And the list goes on. 

Things that emphasize new habits and disciplines aren’t bad in themselves, but they should be flowing firstly from a heart totally stolen by Jesus! I believe what God wants to do is ripen our hearts first–so the "doing" comes naturally from the Holy Spirit's unquenched presence in our lives! Rather than helping Christians change behaviors, we should begin by helping them change clothes (Eph. 4:20-24). The question the church should be asking today is how we might facilitate that? 

THE ANTIDOTE

When we learn the extent of the death to the person we used to be and of our literal regeneration in Christ, our Self-Resourcing Virus can be cut off at its root, and healthy, organic spiritual growth can begin to take hold. Deeply understanding how we came into Christ and who we are in Him is a strong vaccination against trying to live the Christian life in our own strength. 

THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE

If we root our lives into "the story of our new life in Christ," we can raise Christian seed that, like Jesus' parable in Matthew 13 encourages, can grow on good soil, bearing the fruit of behavior that can yield a hundredfold, sixtyfold and thirtyfold. But without depth of good soil (a true understanding of our rebirth and new nature in Christ), we are only joyful and productive as long as trials are at bay. Let trouble or persecution arise, and many unrooted believers dry up and fall away. This must not, and need not, be!

This curriculum* is my attempt to help us get first things first. Let’s first marinate our hearts in a stew of simmering, overwhelming gratitude for our new, never-changing, not dependent upon ourselves, identity in Christ. Then, the behaviors God is after in our lives will more naturally come as outgrowth. 

*As of March 1, 2023, all 4 lessons of this 1st Step of Discipleship curriculum can now be experienced for FREE by simply clicking on the link below.