Romans Chapter 6
You have got to realize that as many of us who have been baptized into Jesus Christ have identified with him in his death and also in his burial and resurrection. Our baptism is like a burial of our old "sin and death" life that Jesus embodied on the cross. And just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of God, so also in baptism, we are raised up for the purpose of living by means of a new power source.
For God's intent in our dying and being buried with Christ is not to leave us lying powerless in the grave, but also to raise us with Jesus to live a transcendent life in him. Our old "sin and death" life was put out of commission through a mysterious co-crucifixion with Jesus. As a result, a life lived under the compulsion of our lower passions has passed away with a vengeance and such selfishness is no longer our master. We are dead and therefore liberated from the mandatory control of sin.
Comments:
In our ongoing struggle in dealing appropriately with our "flesh" (a rather complex word and subject), it is vital that we begin at the right place or from the right position. Something radical happened to our fallen human nature some 2,000 years ago...long before we were born. Jesus Christ appeared on the scene of human history...and died and rose again...so that we would be able to personally and freely receive the gift of a new nature that is in harmony with the Trinity. Our battle with temptations and sins must first be engaged by "believing" and "knowing" that Jesus has totally overcome sin and death on our behalf through what he has already accomplished.
There is a clearly defined pathway that leads us out of a life that is limited by self-concern and our attempts to transform ourselves into better persons. It begins by pausing long and hard enough to soak into our deep heart the good and great news of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. By this, a quiet strength seeps into our souls that then empowers us to successfully engage the battle to discover our truest self and, thereby, progressively grow into loving God and others well.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Romance of Romans-Part 25
Romans Chapter 5/Chapter 6
In addition, it may seem strange, but God purposefully instituted the Mosaic legal system to flush the sinful nature out of hiding which resulted in more sinning. Yet this all the more magnified the sin-conquering grace of God. (I'll expand on this theme later.) Before Christ, sin ruled and death was dominant, but now through Jesus our Lord, grace rules- enthroned by the dominating righteousness that leads to eternal life.
Chapter 6 (sometimes humanly determined chapter breaks are not very helpful!)
Now I know what you're tempted to think. "If this is true, then we might as well sin more so that God's grace can continue to be magnified." Right? Wrong! You see, we live in a whole new era and new dynamics are now at work. For us, to deliberately live in sin is out of the question because we are actually dead to the whole dominion of sin.
Comments:
Paul touches on an important natural response in people's hearts and minds to the amazing-ness of God's grace. (This grace that boldly stares our sin in the face, is not shocked or dissuaded in the least and totally moves in to trump all our guilt and shame.) I think it's awesome that Paul gives voice in his letter to such natural thinking and the fact that he brings it to light only causes the authenticity of the gospel to rise all the more for me.
When the absolute "free" nature of God's gift of forgiveness and new life to us in Jesus hits our hearts, shortly thereafter, we begin to wonder about the future sins and failures we are certain to experience. And...if God will not hold them, along with our past compromises, against us...what will actually motivate us, or "others" to whom we preach, (after all, we don't like to make the inner conversation about such dark thoughts too personal!) to not give in to temptations to sinful self-gratification? Don't we also need some extra terrifying threats to hover over our heads to keep us in line on a moment by moment basis? (The serious warnings of the New Testament are reserved for people who are in danger of rejecting faith in Jesus.)
Instead, Paul comes at countering such dark thoughts from a different and refreshing angle. He doesn't argue for restricting our freedom to keep us in check, but instead, he argues for us to embrace and enjoy an even greater awareness of our freedom. So free are we, in fact, that we are now "dead" to the tyranny of sin. The apostle doesn't urge us to fearfully obsess about, "How can I not sin?" and/or "What if I lose my salvation?"...as we easily might lose the key to our car. Rather, we are to calmly reason, "Why would I really want to continue to give myself to sin?" and then make our daily choices from remembering the answer that turns out to be a "no-brainer". Sin, of course, is not satisfying to the human soul (though, assuredly, it continually poses as if it were!) and this is why we turned away from it to Jesus in the first place.
More to come....
In addition, it may seem strange, but God purposefully instituted the Mosaic legal system to flush the sinful nature out of hiding which resulted in more sinning. Yet this all the more magnified the sin-conquering grace of God. (I'll expand on this theme later.) Before Christ, sin ruled and death was dominant, but now through Jesus our Lord, grace rules- enthroned by the dominating righteousness that leads to eternal life.
Chapter 6 (sometimes humanly determined chapter breaks are not very helpful!)
Now I know what you're tempted to think. "If this is true, then we might as well sin more so that God's grace can continue to be magnified." Right? Wrong! You see, we live in a whole new era and new dynamics are now at work. For us, to deliberately live in sin is out of the question because we are actually dead to the whole dominion of sin.
Comments:
Paul touches on an important natural response in people's hearts and minds to the amazing-ness of God's grace. (This grace that boldly stares our sin in the face, is not shocked or dissuaded in the least and totally moves in to trump all our guilt and shame.) I think it's awesome that Paul gives voice in his letter to such natural thinking and the fact that he brings it to light only causes the authenticity of the gospel to rise all the more for me.
When the absolute "free" nature of God's gift of forgiveness and new life to us in Jesus hits our hearts, shortly thereafter, we begin to wonder about the future sins and failures we are certain to experience. And...if God will not hold them, along with our past compromises, against us...what will actually motivate us, or "others" to whom we preach, (after all, we don't like to make the inner conversation about such dark thoughts too personal!) to not give in to temptations to sinful self-gratification? Don't we also need some extra terrifying threats to hover over our heads to keep us in line on a moment by moment basis? (The serious warnings of the New Testament are reserved for people who are in danger of rejecting faith in Jesus.)
Instead, Paul comes at countering such dark thoughts from a different and refreshing angle. He doesn't argue for restricting our freedom to keep us in check, but instead, he argues for us to embrace and enjoy an even greater awareness of our freedom. So free are we, in fact, that we are now "dead" to the tyranny of sin. The apostle doesn't urge us to fearfully obsess about, "How can I not sin?" and/or "What if I lose my salvation?"...as we easily might lose the key to our car. Rather, we are to calmly reason, "Why would I really want to continue to give myself to sin?" and then make our daily choices from remembering the answer that turns out to be a "no-brainer". Sin, of course, is not satisfying to the human soul (though, assuredly, it continually poses as if it were!) and this is why we turned away from it to Jesus in the first place.
More to come....
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Radius Retreat House at Stillwater Heritage La Cygne Kansas
Merry Christmas from the Sullivant Family
Christmas 2008
Our Family News for Friends and Extended Family in this Season When the Whole World Still Pauses to Remember the Great Miracle of Christ’s Birth Among Us.
So much has rapidly changed over the last few years for us…many developments, new directions and passages of life. I (Michael) am writing this in “shorthand” so I can catch you up with everyone a bit without boring you to death!
Luke and Rebekah: Both 29; Living in Nashville since this time last year; pursuing their professional music careers; connecting with great people every week; loving God and people well; Luke: part-time band director for a wonderful racially integrated church: www.strongtowerbiblechurch.com; sought after session guitar and bass player; has played on over 60 albums now; you may hopefully be hearing one of the tunes he composed and produced for the theme song for Regis and Kelley Live very soon. Beka: teaching piano students; composing music; original worship CD in the works; full of life, love for family and friends. (follow the links at www.lukesullivant.com to find some of their stuff.)
Lisa (27) and James Hoskins (29): Living here in KC; married 2 years; enjoying God, marriage, life, corgi dog (Lucius) and many great friends; look them up at www.facebook.com. Lisa: highly-valued financial aid director at KC university medical wing; a truly mature woman now; wise beyond her years. James: finishing up undergrad in philosophy (full scholarship); preparing for grad school with hope of becoming college professor; working for a law firm; hosting a very intriguing website: www.worldofforms.net.
Sam (24) and Caitlin (21): Living here in KC; married 1.5 years; very happy; serving the Lord; loads of fun. Sam: free-lance videographer; landed a long-term contract with a renowned Christ-based arts group w/ a great studio; preaches periodically. Caitlin: professional dancer/ instructor at same arts group; finishing up university (3.8 and full scholarship); look them up at www.facebook.com. You can also see a website dedicated to the film, Troost, (a social commentary through images and original music on some of the historic racial segregation in KC) that Sam received a grant to produce at: http://virb.com/troostfilm.
Mike (20): Sophomore at Manhattan (KS) Christian College/ Kansas State; going for two degrees—ministry and business; pulling the grades; 2-time member of National Champions soccer team (scored the breakthrough goal in the final in Orlando FL this year!); in a good and serious relationship with fellow-student, Jeri Jensen, from Phoenix AZ; growing in manhood and spiritual life; look them up on www.facebook.com.
Steve (17): Junior at Blue Valley North High School; well-rounded in academics, track sprinter, spiritual leadership, social life and especially excelling in vocal music and piano; recorded first original composition/song: “Safe”; catch him on www.facebook.com.
Terri (age withheld, but you can do the math :-): Significantly recovered from her 2004 illness and brain surgery to correct a vein that wandered and interfered with a cranial nerve; recently back into the marketplace as a medical equipment sales rep; very connected to a cadre of lady friends; studying under a top national trainer to become a “life-coach”; sought after public speaker; adjusting to the specter of becoming an empty-nester in the near future; catch up w/ her at www.facebook.com.
Michael (slightly younger than Terri!): Recently “retired” from pastoral ministry after 21 years at Metro Christian Fellowship…w/ a fine watch to prove it. (Still involved with the church leadership/body in an advisory capacity); trying to make a go of working in the profit world for the first time in my adult life (www.rhythmtraffic.com); Rhythm Engineering has innovated a breakthrough robotic-based technology to optimize traffic signals that could truly change the world; with Terri, continuing to expand the work of our humble ministry, Radius— (http://groups.google.com/group/friends-of-radius); Radius is involved with ministry consultation, leader development, seminars, retreats, preaching, teaching, mentoring, writing projects (many blogs at www.michael-radius.blogspot.com), cross-cultural mission.
Radius Retreat House: we recently acquired stewardship of a beautiful country retreat house that can sleep 12-15 adults; located 60 miles south of KC; 20 acres and 4 acre lake (see attached picture and slide show); we are looking for some support (tax-exempt through Radius) for this project/associated expenses—financial donations, some nice-type furnishings, equipment/tools—and …especially… for our friends to come out and enjoy a retreat experience with their family members and/or friends. Contact us if you’d like to know more, schedule a time away or help out somehow; Terri and I will be personally hosting some weekend Radius Retreats over the course of this next year, so stayed tuned; this is a very exciting development in our lives that we are testing before the Lord as a possible long-term involvement and future focus point for Radius’ mission. (contact us at: msullivant@kc.rr.com or tsullivant@kc.rr.com.
May this coming year bring you the joy and peace and love of God our Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit and let us hear back from you too!
With all our love and prayers,
The Sullivant’s
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Romance of Romans-Part 24
Romans Chapter 5 cont'd
In addition, it may seem strange, but God purposefully instituted the Mosaic legal system to flush the sinful nature out of hiding which resulted in more sinning. Yet this all the more magnified the sin-conquering grace of God. (I'll expand on this theme later.) Before Christ, sin ruled and death was dominant, but now through Jesus our Lord, grace rules- enthroned by the dominating righteousness that leads to eternal life.
Comments:
Paul does elaborate on this mysterious and outstanding purpose of the Mosaic law in God's economy in chapter 7. And...there are other purposes for the law (than to highlight and expose the sinful nature of human beings) that Jesus and the apostles point out. But I'll wait to comment more on this until we get to chapter 7.
What stands out to me from this final paragraph of chapter 5 that so beautifully sets up the theme of chapter 6 is how Paul sees God's grace, that has been offered freely to us all in Christ, is more powerful than our sin and/or our sins...as powerful and intimidating as they can be. We (and the Holy Spirit within us) are in an ongoing battle with "the flesh"...but it is not a battle between two equals. Because of Jesus, and having put our faith in him, we have been translated into a whole new realm of life...even here and now in this still fallen and evil age.
This is maybe the greatest mystery of the kingdom of God...the new genesis...inaugurated by Jesus. It has come to birth in the midst of our sick and broken world...like a seed of Life that has germinated deep in the soil where there is no light. And we...have been assimilated and sucked up into that higher life...like inanimate minerals that are transmogrified and literally become a part of a plant and its life via the plant's intelligent initiative.
It seems to me that Paul's fundamental point in equipping us to rise above the power of sin, in a practical and daily way, begins with our need to deeply grasp the reality of how we are now living in a different environment altogether than we did before being born of the Spirit and...to be fully conscious of this radical change 24/7. We are now breathing air from highest heaven (grace) by means of the real connectivity of heaven and earth provided by the Holy Spirit sent down to us from heaven, who is truly above, beneath, around and...yes...within us. To attempt to take the other practical steps of "overcoming" without internalizing this primary point, is a recipe for defeat (and maybe a good explanation for why believers live, and have lived, in such defeat both today and throughout history). But not you...and not me...not today. Instead, may we "be alive" to God and breathe in the presence of his kingdom all about us...and carry his joy.
In addition, it may seem strange, but God purposefully instituted the Mosaic legal system to flush the sinful nature out of hiding which resulted in more sinning. Yet this all the more magnified the sin-conquering grace of God. (I'll expand on this theme later.) Before Christ, sin ruled and death was dominant, but now through Jesus our Lord, grace rules- enthroned by the dominating righteousness that leads to eternal life.
Comments:
Paul does elaborate on this mysterious and outstanding purpose of the Mosaic law in God's economy in chapter 7. And...there are other purposes for the law (than to highlight and expose the sinful nature of human beings) that Jesus and the apostles point out. But I'll wait to comment more on this until we get to chapter 7.
What stands out to me from this final paragraph of chapter 5 that so beautifully sets up the theme of chapter 6 is how Paul sees God's grace, that has been offered freely to us all in Christ, is more powerful than our sin and/or our sins...as powerful and intimidating as they can be. We (and the Holy Spirit within us) are in an ongoing battle with "the flesh"...but it is not a battle between two equals. Because of Jesus, and having put our faith in him, we have been translated into a whole new realm of life...even here and now in this still fallen and evil age.
This is maybe the greatest mystery of the kingdom of God...the new genesis...inaugurated by Jesus. It has come to birth in the midst of our sick and broken world...like a seed of Life that has germinated deep in the soil where there is no light. And we...have been assimilated and sucked up into that higher life...like inanimate minerals that are transmogrified and literally become a part of a plant and its life via the plant's intelligent initiative.
It seems to me that Paul's fundamental point in equipping us to rise above the power of sin, in a practical and daily way, begins with our need to deeply grasp the reality of how we are now living in a different environment altogether than we did before being born of the Spirit and...to be fully conscious of this radical change 24/7. We are now breathing air from highest heaven (grace) by means of the real connectivity of heaven and earth provided by the Holy Spirit sent down to us from heaven, who is truly above, beneath, around and...yes...within us. To attempt to take the other practical steps of "overcoming" without internalizing this primary point, is a recipe for defeat (and maybe a good explanation for why believers live, and have lived, in such defeat both today and throughout history). But not you...and not me...not today. Instead, may we "be alive" to God and breathe in the presence of his kingdom all about us...and carry his joy.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Romance of Romans-Part 23
Romans Chapter 5 cont'd
But if you think Adam's sin had impact, consider the impact of Christ's free gift! If the first man's action resulted in sin and death spreading to so many people, the action of this Man not only negated sin and death, but also imparted righteousness and eternal life to people. Consider this contrast further: Adam's one sin resulted in many sins and a corresponding judgment from God. This is natural. But the free gift bought by Christ captured of all that sin and condemnation and transformed it into righteousness. This is supernatural! Yes, one man's sin was powerful enough to cause death to have dominion, but the gift of Jesus Christ was even more powerful. Through him, people can receive what they don't deserve- God's unmerited favor and an overcoming, transcendent life.
To sum it up in other words, just as one act of disobedience resulted in sin and judgment coming upon all mankind; even so one act of obedience resulted in righteousness and a higher life being made freely available to this whole sinful and condemned human race. If the first thing seems "unfair", the second certainly is!
Comments:
Truly, Adam's choice was sweeping and powerful in its effects on all his descendants. Yet, Paul's point is that Christ's work was "much more" powerful in nature. Whenever I read this passage, I always think of an analogy. Imagine how one rotten apple, given just a bit of time, can easily spoil a whole barrel of unspoiled apples. But can you imagine placing a perfect apple into a barrel of rotten apples and then, after a bit of time, you find that all of those apples have been restored and transformed back into a perfect state? In the first case, you would lament at the power of natural corruption, but you would not be surprised. In the second case, you would absolutely stunned at an unprecedented miracle that you would want the whole world to know about! So it should be regarding the life and ministry of Jesus the Christ and his effect upon fallen humanity.
If someone unjustly pushed you into a dangerous rushing river. And...you couldn't swim and you knew you really were going to die. Would you argue with the person (his methods or motives) who suddenly showed up and who's job it was to rescue people in peril on the river and bring such perpetrators to justice? Or would you try to simply cooperate with his instructions as he came your way, be grateful and leave the matter of the perp in his hands?
It's humbling to admit that there are massive forces at work in our world that have deeply affected and do affect our lives...forces way beyond our own personal will..as critical as it is. The "force" of Adam's ancient choice...the "force" of our Creator bringing each of us into this world via our parents mating...the "force" of the Heavenly Father's grace toward us in Christ...the "force" of the Holy Spirit drawing us to Jesus Christ...are four of these most powerful realities.
God delights in being our Savior (it's just Who He is and what He does!) and all He asks for is our "little" cooperation and a lifetime of thanks...loving Him back and all the rest develop from these reasonable responses.
But if you think Adam's sin had impact, consider the impact of Christ's free gift! If the first man's action resulted in sin and death spreading to so many people, the action of this Man not only negated sin and death, but also imparted righteousness and eternal life to people. Consider this contrast further: Adam's one sin resulted in many sins and a corresponding judgment from God. This is natural. But the free gift bought by Christ captured of all that sin and condemnation and transformed it into righteousness. This is supernatural! Yes, one man's sin was powerful enough to cause death to have dominion, but the gift of Jesus Christ was even more powerful. Through him, people can receive what they don't deserve- God's unmerited favor and an overcoming, transcendent life.
To sum it up in other words, just as one act of disobedience resulted in sin and judgment coming upon all mankind; even so one act of obedience resulted in righteousness and a higher life being made freely available to this whole sinful and condemned human race. If the first thing seems "unfair", the second certainly is!
Comments:
Truly, Adam's choice was sweeping and powerful in its effects on all his descendants. Yet, Paul's point is that Christ's work was "much more" powerful in nature. Whenever I read this passage, I always think of an analogy. Imagine how one rotten apple, given just a bit of time, can easily spoil a whole barrel of unspoiled apples. But can you imagine placing a perfect apple into a barrel of rotten apples and then, after a bit of time, you find that all of those apples have been restored and transformed back into a perfect state? In the first case, you would lament at the power of natural corruption, but you would not be surprised. In the second case, you would absolutely stunned at an unprecedented miracle that you would want the whole world to know about! So it should be regarding the life and ministry of Jesus the Christ and his effect upon fallen humanity.
If someone unjustly pushed you into a dangerous rushing river. And...you couldn't swim and you knew you really were going to die. Would you argue with the person (his methods or motives) who suddenly showed up and who's job it was to rescue people in peril on the river and bring such perpetrators to justice? Or would you try to simply cooperate with his instructions as he came your way, be grateful and leave the matter of the perp in his hands?
It's humbling to admit that there are massive forces at work in our world that have deeply affected and do affect our lives...forces way beyond our own personal will..as critical as it is. The "force" of Adam's ancient choice...the "force" of our Creator bringing each of us into this world via our parents mating...the "force" of the Heavenly Father's grace toward us in Christ...the "force" of the Holy Spirit drawing us to Jesus Christ...are four of these most powerful realities.
God delights in being our Savior (it's just Who He is and what He does!) and all He asks for is our "little" cooperation and a lifetime of thanks...loving Him back and all the rest develop from these reasonable responses.
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