Exploring Dependence – Reviewing the Evidence

(Previous Article)

We began this exploration of dependence with the observation that, as Christians, we tend to acknowledge our dependence on God in theory, but practically manifest an ongoing desire to live independently of Him.

Specifically, we set out to consider two issues:

• The depth of our dependence -  It is quite possible to acknowledge the idea of our dependence, while minimizing the degree or significance of that dependence.
• The areas and ways in which our independence continues to manifest itself – Even among believers who claim a firm commitment to Christ, we find attitudes and beliefs that are at odds with the true nature of our dependency.

Now, having spent the last few weeks tracking the theme of dependency through much of The Story, let’s revisit these two areas in light of our discoveries.

Perhaps we should start by fleshing out our vague notions of dependency. In what ways do we actually see ourselves as dependent? Read more

Exploring Dependence – Rich Young Ruler & Going to Heaven

As we have looked at Jesus’ interaction with the Rich Young Ruler over the last three weeks (week 1, week 2, week 3), some of us have been haunted by the question of how Jesus’ words speak to the issue of whether we will go to heaven when we die, or not.

A simple reading of the story raises the fear that Jesus is saying that, in order to go to heaven, we must do certain things… like sell everything we have and give it to the poor.

Now, the reasons this provokes fear in us are probably varied and complex, but likely include the fact that what we hear in this story seems at odds with other passages, and with what we have been taught about salvation.

So, how do we reconcile this fear and this conflict? Read more

Exploring Dependence – Rich Young Ruler – Part 2

As we resume the story of the Rich Young Ruler, we recall that the main character came to Jesus with a strong confidence in man’s ability to merit eternal life. And we saw Jesus repudiate that very notion. If the young man wanted to find Life, he would have to completely abandon everything on which that confidence was founded, renouncing it all to follow Jesus. That was the path to eternal life.

Unfortunately, this young man owned a lot of property, and was unwilling to let go of it, and the confidence that it gave him. So, instead of finding Life, he went away sad and grieving.

But the episode doesn’t end there. As we pick up the story, we find Jesus using the encounter to drive the point home to the disciples.

He turns around, and speaking to the disciples now, says, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:23)

Now, place yourself in the disciples’ shoes. How would you respond to that statement?

If you are like me, and have been influenced by teaching from the rest of the New Testament, this statement may seem like a given – somethings so obvious, it almost seems needless to say it.

But note the disciples’ response. It wasn’t obvious to them. They were amazed (Mark 10:24). See they still had some of the same world-view as the rich, young ruler. The prevailing assumption of the religious community was that riches were a sign of God’s blessing, and evidence that your righteousness was pleasing to Him.  Read more

Exploring Dependence – The Rich Young Ruler, Part 1

So, as we began to look at the story of the Rich Young Ruler last week, we noted that, at first glance, he appears to be asking Jesus how to go to heaven when he dies. And it appears that Jesus tells him that there are certain things he must do, as if going to heaven is dependent on our works.

But we also recognized that we need to place this episode in the context of The Story to understand it. So, we went back to the beginning of The Story. There we found two realms of existence. God placed man and woman in the Garden, where there was Life. Yet, Death loomed as an imminent possibility.

They faced a choice. They could trust God for Life, or take matters into their own hands, decide for themselves what was good, and pursue Life independently of God.

Of course, they chose control and independence over trust, but instead of finding Life, they entered the realm of Death.

Every character in The Story since, has faced the prospects of Life and Death, and has had to choose the path they hope will bring them Life.

Will they opt for control and independence, or will they choose to trust in God?

Each decision is influenced by the assumptions they hold — by their the worldview.

Which brings us to the story of The Rich Young Ruler. We call it that because Matthew identifies him as a young man, and Luke identifies him as a ruler. However, we will be focusing on Mark’s account of the encounter. Mark identifies him simply as a man.

So, which worldview does this man bring to his encounter with Jesus?  Read more

Exploring Dependence – Life & Death

As we have followed Jesus’ teaching and the training of the Twelve through the Gospels, we have seen Him emphasize this issue of dependence. Having taught the concept in the Sermon on the Mount, He sent the disciples out in pairs to proclaim the Kingdom, and to experience God’s daily provision for their personal needs. In feeding the multitudes, He stretched them further, putting them in positions where they had to trust Him, not only for themselves, but also for the needs of those they were ministering to.

Now, let’s look at His interaction with the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30), where He will stretch the disciples further yet. Read more

Exploring Dependence – After the Exile

The Old Testament is the story of Israel’s relationship with God. As we have surveyed this story, the following highlights stand out:

• As God brought Israel out of Egypt, and began to form them into a nation, He used the manna to teach them that their continued, daily existence was absolutely dependent on His active decree. They were kept alive, not by the food they ate, but by the words that proceeded out of His mouth (Deuteronomy 8:3). He was preparing them for life in the Promised Land, where He would bless them abundantly. In the midst of that blessing, they must not become confused and forget that He, not their own effort, was the source of that wealth. Such confusion would lead to the worship other gods (Deuteronomy 8:5-19).
• While the manna only lasted for 40 years, the lesson was perpetuated in the system of the Sabbaths (Leviticus 23-25).
• The Sabbath system included a Sabbath year as well as a Sabbath Day. Every 7^th year, they were to let the land lay fallow and trust that God would cause it to produce enough in the 6^th year to last them through the 8^th year. In this, they would be reminded of their dependence, and experience His provision.
• However, there is no biblical record of them ever celebrating a Sabbath Year. By the time we get to 2 Chronicles 36:20-21, they owed 70 Sabbath Years, and Yahweh sends them into captivity for those 70 years. For 490 years, the people of Israel refused to trust God as their Provider. Thus, they became proud, and chased after other gods, just as Yahweh said they would. But that was the effect, not the cause.
• The cause was that they lost the core of their relationship with God. The did not recognize Him as their Provider and Protector.

So, the Exile was God’s discipline to reinforce His message to them from the very beginning – He was their Provider and Protector, and was to be the sole object of their affection.

Which raises the question, “Did Israel learn their lesson from the Exile?”

Let’s see. Read more

Exploring Dependence – From The Beginning

So, we have set out to examine this issue of our dependance. In the previous article, we pointed out that our failure to acknowledge our dependency brought about the fall. We did not see ourselves as dependent and so, chose to act independently, as though we could be like God.

Now, realistically, I expect that if you are reading this article, at a very minimum you will already acknowledge God and and our dependence on Him.  So, why the need for this examination?

Well, I think there are two things we need to explore:

• The depth of our dependence -  It is quite possible to acknowledge the idea of our dependence, while at the same time, minimizing the degree or significance of that dependence.
• The areas and ways in which our independence continues to manifest itself – Even among believers who claim a firm commitment to Christ, I find attitudes and beliefs that I have come to suspect are at odds with the true nature of our dependency.

Why do I think this?

Well, in my years of seeking to walk with God, I have discovered a number of areas where the values and beliefs of popular Christian culture were at odds with Scripture. One of those areas is the area of money and possessions – how a Christian should view and handle finances. This is significant to our discussion because I have come to realize that it is in money and possessions that our pursuit of independence is most prominent. Read more

The Practical Pursuit of God’s Pleasure – The Heart of The Matter

Now that we are thinking of the marks of a disciple as commitments, let’s explore the relationship between them.

To review, the commitments are:

• Supreme Love for Jesus – Matthew 10:37-39; Luke 14:26
• Regularity in His Word – John 8:31-33
• Renunciation of My Agenda – “deny yourself” – Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23
• Submission & Sacrifice – “take up your cross” – Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23
• Pursue His Agenda – “follow me” – Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23
• Open-Handed Stewardship – Luke 14:33
• Love for One Another – John 13:34-35

We have already noted that this probably reflects both the order in which Christ first introduced these traits, and their logical flow. We might track that flow as follows: Read more

The Practical Pursuit of God’s Pleasure

Seven months ago, we began a journey to understand what it means to love what God loves and hate what He hates. That journey has brought us to the discovery that God’s soul has no pleasure in those who pursue life according to their own agenda. While I doubt we have arrived at our final destination, the place we now find ourselves is surprising. Not so much in the description of those with whom God is displeased, but with the realization that it can so readily include believers.

This is unsettling. Our journey was partially prompted by David’s commitment to align himself with God, against those who hate God. This seemed like choosing up sides – “us vs. them.” Just a simple matter of figuring out which of “them,” or of “their deeds” we should hate. But now we discover that we are at risk of becoming objects of God’s displeasure as well.

In this discovery is another refinement in our thinking that should be noted. We began with a focus on “hate,” which implies total rejection. But our journey has brought us to the realization that it is not enough to avoid being hated by God. Being the object of His displeasure, even as His child, is a fearful place to be.

So we are still unsettled, with questions that need answers. The last article has come up in conversations several times this week, and several versions of the same concern have been raised:

• “How do we move this beyond the cliche of ‘pursuing life according to God’s agenda, rather than mine’ ?”
• “I am still afraid that I might be that third guy from the parable of the minas.”
• “In pursuing the pleasure of God’s soul, don’t we end up back at either salvation by works or Lordship Salvation?”

Read more

The Pleasure of God’s Soul – Part 7 – A Whole Lot of Hope

So far, this little journey to understand what is going on in Hebrews 10 has turned into an expedition that is in its seventh week. Seems like we have been talking about this forever. In fact, it’s hard to remember why we are here, or where we are going. Wait. What was the question?

Oh, yeah. We are talking about the “pleasure of God’s soul” in Hebrews 10:38-39 -

“But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”

In the middle of all that is the phrase that prompted this little expedition – “. . . and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him . . .”. The pleasure of God’s soul is somehow linked to our choices. Very unsettling. How do we “shrink back”? As I read on, it seems that the destruction of my soul is at stake. How can that be? I thought we were saved “by grace, through faith”. What about eternal security? How does all this fit with the little message we have become so accustomed to – some version of “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” This doesn’t sound very wonderful. Sounds like we could really foul things up if we are not careful.

Read more

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