Living beyond abstractions …

We make following Jesus too private a matter. We do not want anyone “advising” us as we “do what God wants us to do.” So, we fly under the radar only knowing in our own hearts if we are submitting to follow Jesus or not. Real problems occur when we try to communicate to others the value of following Jesus – living our life the way Jesus would live our life were he us. We speak with abstractions that keep following Jesus a matter of what goes on in our heads and has less and less to do with our lives – real living. How often do you understand the abstractions of others? Not too often. But, if we communicate with some visible expression what it means to submit to the way of life Jesus calls us to that would be altogether different.

At this point we must distinguish between moral decisions and spiritual decisions. Some believe if we have made the right moral decision (not smoke, not drink, not curse, etc.) then it gives evidence that we make right spiritual decisions (serving, loving, forgiving, kindness, etc). These two are not the same. So when we describe what it looks like to submit to the way of life King Jesus calls us to it will come in the form of our “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21)

Our lives really are interconnected then. How we relate to each other goes a much longer way of showing what it means to follow Jesus than any moral decision we could come to. I certainly do not want to downplay Christian morality. However, sometimes we equate good morality with spiritual progress and that is not necessarily the case.

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

1 comment on “Living beyond abstractions …

  1. says:

    Todd-

    You are ‘spot on’ here. I know a lot of non-Christians and athiests who live lives of abstinence. And, I know a lot of Christians who live lives of moral superiority (similar to your humor on March 30th) that confuses such a life with Christian piety.

    Wasn’t it the Apostle Paul- who said, “Why do I do the things I don’t want to do; and don’t do the things I should?” I want to live the kind of piety that respects human challenges rather than setting a standard no one is able to achieve- or a standard that, if lived, encourages others to join me in my quest rather than making them feel inadequate for not living ‘as good as me’. (okay, so I am combining posts.. sorry about that). 😉

    You have great insights, kind sir!

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