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Pastor's Blog May 21, 2020
"The Test of Discipleship I"
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One of the fascinating truths about the Christian life, which I mentioned last week, is that new life with Christ shows you what is in your heart. No matter what you do, the Christian life confronts you with what you truly love and what your true values are - basically, whether or not you really love Jesus or simply love things ABOUT Jesus (regardless of what you tell yourself). Ellen helps us understand how this truth gets worked out in the Christian life. In "Steps to Christ," Ellen makes it very clear that new life with Christ necessarily includes reformation of life: "There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation" (39; 1977 edition*).
Those who become new creatures in Christ will exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, will follow a course of life that imitates Jesus, and will attempt to "purify themselves even as He [Jesus] is pure" (39). But what is interesting is that the only one Ellen identifies as able to bring about all of these changes is the Holy Spirit. While some can make themselves appear externally moral (38-39), only the Holy Spirit creates new life in individuals, refashions them into the image of God, works out in their lives the divine character, and brings them to Jesus (38). So what does this have to do with the Christian life revealing what is truly in our hearts?
Ellen provides us with a clue in her reflection on Jesus and grace: when we participate in Jesus' grace, "love springs up in the heart," "every burden is light," and "duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure" (39). The Christian life reveals to each of us what is our experience. For those who don't really know Jesus, burdens are still burdens, duty is still duty, and sacrifice is still sacrfice; we may love Jesus and be willing to do these things "for him," but all our love for Jesus cannot erase the fact that we still find them to be heavy, obligatory, and renunciatory. For those who set themselves to knowing Jesus, however, burdens are experienced as light, duty is considered to be delightful and cause for rejoicing, and there is no sense of sacrifice - instead, obeying Jesus becomes a gratifying pleasure! What determines this difference in our experience of the Christian life? It is getting to know Jesus, who is the core of the Christian life.
Friends, I hope you choose the better portion for yourselves (cf. Luke 10:42).
(*) Steps to Christ 1977 edition; Chapter 7—"The Test of Discipleship”
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
