Christ-commons_&_

Growth as a child of God; how is it measured? 
 

One of the metaphors left in the wake of the modern church is the metaphor of the steady, uphill climb.  It’s the idea that though the way is rocky and often challenging, a “successful Christian life” is marked by movement up the hill.  Mapped on a bar graph we would see many ups and downs, but as a whole there would be definite movement upward.  Sound familiar?  

The central problem with this metaphor is that it is our progress that seems praise worthy.  The higher our climb, the better we feel about ourselves and our time with God becomes a type of “spiritual self-actualization.”   

We measure our spiritual progress by counting the steps we’ve taken toward and away from God, and take for granted that, in the big picture, we’re always getting closer to God.  Yes, we worship God but if we were honest with ourselves we’d have to admit our own development is right up there.   

In this metaphor God becomes the destination, while the journey is left largely in our individualistic hands.  

Allow me to propose another metaphor, (I would greatly appreciate feedback as to its soundness).  Rather than a steady uphill climb to our destination (God), I propose we think of our journey with God as a dance.  

In this dance God is the central character, for God is the one standing on the dance floor with an outstretched hand of invitation awaiting our response.  God is not a “one day” destination but our ever-present partner; dipping, leading, spinning, and wooing.  The safest place for the dancer to be is in the arms of God.  Struggles, difficulties, pain, joy, delight – these are just some of the many tunes God leads us to dance through.  And as long as we abide in his embrace it really doesn’t matter what the tempo is because we dance together.  We are the Beloved’s and God is ours.

And so the question remains.  How does a follower of Christ measure growth?  My answer: we can’t.  If that’s our question than we’re asking the w
rong one.  I don’t measure growth in my relationship with my wife.  If my relationship with my wife endures the stuff of life, we depend on each other, and we make it though life together then we’ve been successful.  It is not that we don’t sometimes take a step back and celebrate God’s work in our life, but our focus is praise to God and not a scorecard of our points.   So it is with God.  Living life in dependence on God, and doing so until God takes us home. 

The dance of dependence; Jesus called it abiding.  Christ made it clear that the fruit is out of the hands of his followers.  Our only responsibility is to abide – to keep dancing – to stay close; God will do the rest, God will lead, God will aid our development, God will produce the fruit.  Just don’t walk away, cut yourself off, or go looking for a different partner.  Our desire to see the fruit is a reflection of our desire to exalt ourselves. 

peace, dwight

Your search for truth and meaning has brought you to the place where you consider yourself to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  You’re on a journey; you are a pilgrim.  Well, look out because you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime.
 

Full devotion to God is normal for every follower of Jesus.

There is no hierarchy of people or jobs – we are all equal before God.  And God expects the same thing from each of us.  So . . . what does God expect?  

God expects one thing.  For us to live with him, Christianity is a holistic lifestyle.  The Bible uses the phrase – “To abide with Him” (John 15).  Jesus used a gardening metaphor to illustrate this point.   

He said, picture a grapevine.  For a branch to produce grapes, it’s got to stay connected to the vine.  If a branch gets cut off, it’s not going to produce any fruit.  However, if the branch “abides” in the vine, then the fruit is inevitable.   

Jesus was saying that if you will just stay connected to God, then God will do the work of producing “fruit” in your life.  He will do the transforming work.  All you need to do is choose to abide with Him.  

The goal of the follower is that he or she becomes like the leader – Jesus.  For that to happen the follower must know Jesus first – doing life together is a must.  As you abide with Jesus, he promises to make you like him.  He promises to produce “fruit.”  The fruit, which is the very life and character of Jesus; fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  He promises to guide us to live lives marked by faith, hope and love.   Ultimately, the “trademark” of Christ-followers is love. Not fitting some kind of label, not a certain political stance, not having a fish on their cars’ bumper, nor a cross around their neck, simply love.  

Jesus said that the whole world would recognize His followers by seeing their love.  When Jesus summed up the entire Bible and its teaching He said, “Love the Lord your God… and love your neighbor as yourself.”  That’s what following Jesus is all about – loving God and loving people.  

So.  How goes your transformation?  How is your experience of community?  Are you looking more like Jesus?  Are you connecting deeply with others?  

Ask your self:  

·         Am I growing in my ability to give and receive love from God and from other people?

·         Am I sensing God communicating to me that I am His child?

·         Am I learning to love what God loves and hate what he hates?

·         Am I ordering my life to stay close to God?

·         Am I becoming more like Jesus?

peace, dwight