Torch, Spring 1993

.f Qaree ()/ r-tjle.t th,ilf ft~ Ml ;o~/t/1re eMot/ol(~ · (.) II 1~ ue~{ot~e. 8 Torch Not even a car will run on an empty gas tank-although we think we should and can. In the midst of busyness and human need our Lord said to His followers, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). Paul admonished the elders at Ephesus to take heed to themselves first and then to the flock under their charge (see Acts 20:28). If we realize that busyness does not equal godliness and that a difference exists between healthy self-interest and selfishness, we will be on the way to true happiness. tf';ff-<ht 4: 6tl"e!fftj>lff-fe,faft:rlff di" l.ieur.fe True Christianity is neither a set of rules nor is it the assertion of our individual rights. We tend to swing between these two extremes (as did the New Testament believers). Rather, true Christianity is a relationship between persons on earth and the ultimate Person in the heavens. An invisible cord links us with Christ and spiritual growth consists of cultivating our relationship with Him. Legalism, one extreme, places an undue priority upon rules in our lives. When we think that by keeping religious rules we gain favor with God or that we can control our fleshly nature by slapping more rules onto it, we misunderstand the value of rules and become legalistic (Colossians 2:16-23). License, the other extreme, describes the believer who is not going to be "fenced in" by anybody and defends his or her rights and liberties to the nth degree. Such a person becomes enslaved to bis liberty and misunderstands its true use- to become a launchpad for service to others and for glorifying God (see Galatians 5:13 and 1Corinthians10:31). Both extremes cost us our joy. Legalism focuses our attention on externals and provokes a judgmental spirit within. It also focuses our attention on ourselves and our fruit in our own righteousness, leading us away from God. License puts us ever on the defensive against those who would encroach upon our turf. With our attention so misplaced on ourselves rather than on our Savior, we lose touch with the true source of our joy- our connection to Christ. ;t';!!-<h? 5: If Pool" cfef l"'ar Who do you think you are, anyway? Have you ever puzzled over that question? Our Christian faith teaches us that we have been specially created by God and that we bear His image. We are unique among His creatures. Christ raised our value by purchasing us at the cost of His own blood! Additionally, He placed us in His Body the Church, graciously gifted us, and made us useful in His work. We have value because of what the Lord has done for us and thinks of us. We must take His view of us rather than thinking too highly or too lowly of ourselves. With Paul we can learn to say, "I am what I am by the grace of God" (1Corinthians15:10), I know what I know by the grace of God (Ephesians 3:1-8), I do what I do by the grace of God (1Timothy1:12-15), and I live as I live because of the grace of God (Titus 2:11-14). His grace keeps us humble yet healthy in our view of ourselves. When we realize who we really are– beneficiaries of God's grace-we can truly love life and see good days. Tk Roalto lla,o;ilfe.s'.f Where do we go from here? As we remove these misconceptions from our minds we must fill the vacuum left behind. Wrong thinking must be replaced by right thinking and negative emotions must yield to positive ones. What can we actually do to get loose from these kill-joys? The ultimate source of right thinking and positive emotions is Scripture. We must "let the word of Christ dwell" in us richly (Colossians 3:16)- read it, read commentaries on it, memorize key verses, talk about it in casual conversation with family and friends, pray over it, mull it over in our minds as we go through the day, and share it with others in their struggles. Above all, we must love and obey the Scripture. Correct thinking and healthy emotions must result in proper conduct. True happiness comes when we match what we do with what we know.