Paradigm 4: Mentoring the inner life (8/2/19)
In this paradigm there are 3 attitudes we are asked to cultivate:
1. Nothing to prove
2. Nothing to lose
3. Nothing to hide.
I point out that even non-Christians can express these attitudes! How are Christians meant to have these attitudes in ways that are different from non-Christians.
"Nothing to prove" is an attitude where we have a sense of sufficiency and security. A non-Christian at the pinnacle of his or her success can certainly say this - that his or her worth cannot be questioned.because of a record of achievement that cannot be easily matched. People generally respond with this attitude when their achievements are questioned and they are asked to validate their worth. For a Christian, worth is not ultimately found in our possessions or achievements. Our worth is found in our identity as children of God for whom Christ died. We may not be successful in the way the world counts success. But our security in Christ suffices for us to stop trying to impress people. This attitude has nothing to do with trying to be excellent - it is instead a reminder that we do not need to project a false image of our own goodness and competence.
Humility - a sense of self-forgetfulness - is the fruit of this sense of security. Proud people are constantly promoting their achievements, but the Christian has no need to show either false modesty or self-promotion.
"Nothing to lose" is an expression often heard before trying out something new and risky. It implies that the risk of loss is insignificant compared to the benefits to be obtained from the effort to be considered. On one hand, the Christian has nothing to lose because all we have is a gift that we hold in trust as stewards of God. On the other hand, the Christian already has everything in Christ (Ro 8:32, 1 Cor 3:21). Our heavenly rewards can never be taken away. With this perspective, all we have in this life is seen in the light of eternity, when our possessions and life itself will end. Our true, heavenly treasure cannot be lost, and our earthly treasures are not of true worth anyway. This gives us the freedom to risk everything for the sake of Christ.
Surrender - the giving up of personal will - is the fruit of faith in heavenly reward. We will one day own the fullness of everything God has promised us. This cannot be taken away.
"Nothing to hide" is something everyone can say when they feel confident or vindicated in a particular situation. This is said when our character is questioned.The Christian can go one step further in knowing that all our past and future sins are forgiven in the Cross. The appropriation of the work of the Cross in full forgiveness is obtained through faith and obedience. We know that we are" accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6, KJV). There is both justification in the eyes of God, and freedom before men (c.f. Ps 17) when we walk in repentance and holiness. Like Christian in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, we can say when faced wtih the Devil's many accusations, "All this is true; and much more which thou hast left out: but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful and ready to forgive"
Integrity - the ability to be one in purpose and character at all times, doing the right thing even when no one is watching - can be fully possible when we experience the total forgiveness and acceptance of God. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, we do not fear showing our real selves before others.
In an age of social media the temptation to project our best self and to hide the undesirable aspects of our character is amplified many-fold. We have to consciously resist the prevailing attitudes of the world, especially in church. We should be making safe places for each one to show our true selves, remembering that we are a broken and sinful people.
1 Sa 10-12 does not seem to be a very good passage for looking at Saul's desire to 'hide' and 'prove'. He did hide Samuel's anointing of him as king, and he did hide amongst the baggage. This may have been (as Selwyn says) because of a lack of faith in God's word to him, or false modesty. These are attitudes we should avoid. I am not sure, though, if these attitudes really motivated Saul, since the author of 1 Samuel does not condemn Saul in these chapters and we see instead God's hand and power moving through Saul.
1. Nothing to prove
2. Nothing to lose
3. Nothing to hide.
I point out that even non-Christians can express these attitudes! How are Christians meant to have these attitudes in ways that are different from non-Christians.
"Nothing to prove" is an attitude where we have a sense of sufficiency and security. A non-Christian at the pinnacle of his or her success can certainly say this - that his or her worth cannot be questioned.because of a record of achievement that cannot be easily matched. People generally respond with this attitude when their achievements are questioned and they are asked to validate their worth. For a Christian, worth is not ultimately found in our possessions or achievements. Our worth is found in our identity as children of God for whom Christ died. We may not be successful in the way the world counts success. But our security in Christ suffices for us to stop trying to impress people. This attitude has nothing to do with trying to be excellent - it is instead a reminder that we do not need to project a false image of our own goodness and competence.
Humility - a sense of self-forgetfulness - is the fruit of this sense of security. Proud people are constantly promoting their achievements, but the Christian has no need to show either false modesty or self-promotion.
"Nothing to lose" is an expression often heard before trying out something new and risky. It implies that the risk of loss is insignificant compared to the benefits to be obtained from the effort to be considered. On one hand, the Christian has nothing to lose because all we have is a gift that we hold in trust as stewards of God. On the other hand, the Christian already has everything in Christ (Ro 8:32, 1 Cor 3:21). Our heavenly rewards can never be taken away. With this perspective, all we have in this life is seen in the light of eternity, when our possessions and life itself will end. Our true, heavenly treasure cannot be lost, and our earthly treasures are not of true worth anyway. This gives us the freedom to risk everything for the sake of Christ.
Surrender - the giving up of personal will - is the fruit of faith in heavenly reward. We will one day own the fullness of everything God has promised us. This cannot be taken away.
"Nothing to hide" is something everyone can say when they feel confident or vindicated in a particular situation. This is said when our character is questioned.The Christian can go one step further in knowing that all our past and future sins are forgiven in the Cross. The appropriation of the work of the Cross in full forgiveness is obtained through faith and obedience. We know that we are" accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6, KJV). There is both justification in the eyes of God, and freedom before men (c.f. Ps 17) when we walk in repentance and holiness. Like Christian in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, we can say when faced wtih the Devil's many accusations, "All this is true; and much more which thou hast left out: but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful and ready to forgive"
Integrity - the ability to be one in purpose and character at all times, doing the right thing even when no one is watching - can be fully possible when we experience the total forgiveness and acceptance of God. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, we do not fear showing our real selves before others.
In an age of social media the temptation to project our best self and to hide the undesirable aspects of our character is amplified many-fold. We have to consciously resist the prevailing attitudes of the world, especially in church. We should be making safe places for each one to show our true selves, remembering that we are a broken and sinful people.
1 Sa 10-12 does not seem to be a very good passage for looking at Saul's desire to 'hide' and 'prove'. He did hide Samuel's anointing of him as king, and he did hide amongst the baggage. This may have been (as Selwyn says) because of a lack of faith in God's word to him, or false modesty. These are attitudes we should avoid. I am not sure, though, if these attitudes really motivated Saul, since the author of 1 Samuel does not condemn Saul in these chapters and we see instead God's hand and power moving through Saul.
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