Okay, I'm in the dreaded book of Leviticus. Here's what I get from the first 6 or so chapters. Sin is a real problem, and dealing with it involves death and stench and blood. I don't think we have a really good grasp of the cosmic, communal, and spiritual impact of sin. Just like our faith is personal, but not private, so our sin may be personal but not private.
Perhaps that's where the power of confession rests. I've heard we are wounded in community and therefore are healed in community; perhaps it's just as true that we sin in community so we need repentance and mercy to occur in community. Even if we sin in secret, we are part of communities and these communities are impacted by our sin though we may not recognize it.
Showing posts with label repentance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label repentance. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Luke (the other one for you Star Wars fans)
My small group is working through Luke; so here are a few thoughts on the middle chapters.
Seems to me that chapter 15 is about two entities who are separated. As for God, he is always pursuing us…searching the wilderness, emptying the house, looking to the horizon and running to us. For our part, repentance is key…turning toward God’s voice and responding to his invitation to forgiveness. In what way are we walking away from God and ignoring his call to something better? What do we need to repent?
Chapter 16 is a tough one. But primarily it is a picture of the difference between the Kingdom of the World and the Kingdom of God. Greed, self-gain, self-reliance and self-justification vs. obedience and temporary suffering for eternal reward. Which Kingdom are we living in? Better question; in what way are we living in the Kingdom of the World and in what ways are we living in the Kingdom of God?
Chapter 17 reveals characteristics of those living a Kingdom-of-God-kind-of-life. Look for these elements: holiness, forgiveness, faithfulness, servanthood, thankfulness, discernment, obedience, readiness. Are we seeing these things in our lives?
Seems to me that chapter 15 is about two entities who are separated. As for God, he is always pursuing us…searching the wilderness, emptying the house, looking to the horizon and running to us. For our part, repentance is key…turning toward God’s voice and responding to his invitation to forgiveness. In what way are we walking away from God and ignoring his call to something better? What do we need to repent?
Chapter 16 is a tough one. But primarily it is a picture of the difference between the Kingdom of the World and the Kingdom of God. Greed, self-gain, self-reliance and self-justification vs. obedience and temporary suffering for eternal reward. Which Kingdom are we living in? Better question; in what way are we living in the Kingdom of the World and in what ways are we living in the Kingdom of God?
Chapter 17 reveals characteristics of those living a Kingdom-of-God-kind-of-life. Look for these elements: holiness, forgiveness, faithfulness, servanthood, thankfulness, discernment, obedience, readiness. Are we seeing these things in our lives?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Turning Around
John the Baptist called for repentance; and in Luke when people asked "What do we do?" he responded by giving descriptions of opposite behavior than they had been living. I find this interesting; I've often struggled just simply changing my behavior for any length of time without the grace and power of God changing me from within.
On the other hand, I have seen how even small heart-attitude changes that come with honest effort to be obedient to God have provided room for God's Spirit to work in me and change me. Perhaps that was what John was seeking. Just as the Son of God is coming onto the scene, John is calling people to turn around for a moment so that they might not miss the gift being given.
What are your thoughts on repentance? Can we stop doing the wrong and start doing the right outside of God's transformational power in our lives? Is the desire and effort to do so a catalyst for that transformational power to do its work in us?
On the other hand, I have seen how even small heart-attitude changes that come with honest effort to be obedient to God have provided room for God's Spirit to work in me and change me. Perhaps that was what John was seeking. Just as the Son of God is coming onto the scene, John is calling people to turn around for a moment so that they might not miss the gift being given.
What are your thoughts on repentance? Can we stop doing the wrong and start doing the right outside of God's transformational power in our lives? Is the desire and effort to do so a catalyst for that transformational power to do its work in us?
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