Paradigm 2: Mentoring the Orientation of Life (14/12/18)
We started with Question 3 then moved to Question 2 before ending with personal sharing on Question 1.
I asked the question: What is it (except for the last red/blue part characteristic) about the blue bar column that is distinctively Christian? Put another way, can a non-Christian be a 'blue-bar' person, or can only Christians be 'blue-bar' people? Our answer was that non-Christians can indeed have blue-bar characteristics, but never for the reasons and basis on spiritual truth that Christians have. For a disciple of Christ, every aspect of his or her life - both blue and red bars - is radically God-centered. All we do in both in our outer appearance to others and our inner lives is done before the face of God. We need both external accomplishments as well as inner substance. We did say that it was not helpful to be very spiritual but quite useless in a job!
We also asked if this whole idea of red and blue bars was a Biblical idea at all? Certainly the Bible celebrates inner motivations as being more important that external performance (e.g. Matt 6, 1 Pet 3:3-4). We know that God sees not as man sees, but looks beyond outward appearance to the heart (1 Sa 16:7). So we should indeed guard our inner man because our outer life flows out from within (Prov 4:23).
This chapter talks about how one defines 'success' in life. There would be no meaning in a red-bar existence without other people to affirm and glorify us. In the absence of comparison, the appeal of a red-bar life vanishes. In contrast, a Christian lives his or her life before an audience of One.We build both our inner and outer lives for the Lord's sake when there is a genuine relationship with him. This radical God-centeredness preserves us from using a blue bar parameters for red bar purposes.
Christians know (like John the Baptist, Jn 3:27ff) that all we have, all we can do and everyone we know and all our looks comes as an unearned gift. The understanding that we are recipients of grace helps us learn humility. The presence of relationships where spiritual accountability takes place also protects us.
If competition and comparison is a feature of the red-bar life, is it right then to strive for heavenly rewards that are greater than those of our fellow disciples? We said that this depends on how we understand the nature of the 'reward' Jesus offers His disciples. It would be wrong to compete for rewards if those rewards are seen to be separate from the Person of God, since we would be seeking the gift and not the Giver. But we are asked to pursue holiness (Heb 12:14) so that we can see the Lord.
We spent some time also going through the 2 columns on red/blue bar existence. Some points of interest:
I asked the question: What is it (except for the last red/blue part characteristic) about the blue bar column that is distinctively Christian? Put another way, can a non-Christian be a 'blue-bar' person, or can only Christians be 'blue-bar' people? Our answer was that non-Christians can indeed have blue-bar characteristics, but never for the reasons and basis on spiritual truth that Christians have. For a disciple of Christ, every aspect of his or her life - both blue and red bars - is radically God-centered. All we do in both in our outer appearance to others and our inner lives is done before the face of God. We need both external accomplishments as well as inner substance. We did say that it was not helpful to be very spiritual but quite useless in a job!
We also asked if this whole idea of red and blue bars was a Biblical idea at all? Certainly the Bible celebrates inner motivations as being more important that external performance (e.g. Matt 6, 1 Pet 3:3-4). We know that God sees not as man sees, but looks beyond outward appearance to the heart (1 Sa 16:7). So we should indeed guard our inner man because our outer life flows out from within (Prov 4:23).
This chapter talks about how one defines 'success' in life. There would be no meaning in a red-bar existence without other people to affirm and glorify us. In the absence of comparison, the appeal of a red-bar life vanishes. In contrast, a Christian lives his or her life before an audience of One.We build both our inner and outer lives for the Lord's sake when there is a genuine relationship with him. This radical God-centeredness preserves us from using a blue bar parameters for red bar purposes.
Christians know (like John the Baptist, Jn 3:27ff) that all we have, all we can do and everyone we know and all our looks comes as an unearned gift. The understanding that we are recipients of grace helps us learn humility. The presence of relationships where spiritual accountability takes place also protects us.
If competition and comparison is a feature of the red-bar life, is it right then to strive for heavenly rewards that are greater than those of our fellow disciples? We said that this depends on how we understand the nature of the 'reward' Jesus offers His disciples. It would be wrong to compete for rewards if those rewards are seen to be separate from the Person of God, since we would be seeking the gift and not the Giver. But we are asked to pursue holiness (Heb 12:14) so that we can see the Lord.
We spent some time also going through the 2 columns on red/blue bar existence. Some points of interest:
- Non-Christians may define authenticity as 'showing others what you really are inside'. This is distinct from the idea of authenticity as distinguished from hypocrisy, = integrity = being the same person in all circumstances, without masks.
- The ability to relinquish control demands a willingness to have things fall into place in ways we would not like.A mark of relinquishing control is that we don't get upset when this happens.
- Craving for approval and attention can also manifest in wanting our opinions to be heard and appreciated.
- Humility and meekness are only possible when we have rights to attention and regard, but we give it up willingly.
- Response to criticism implies level-headed weighing of the criticism. Reactions are emotional.
- Restedness in all circumstances needs an unshakable trust in the goodness and sovereignty of God. The one who is anxious (stressed and flustered) (is the injunction not to be anxious a pastoral suggestion or a command?) fails to trust Gods character and promises (c.f. Phil 4:6). I said that it is not a sin to be anxious initially, but it would be a sin to stay anxious, since this dishonours God.
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