Something about our will

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

 It is remarkably easy for our wills to be directed by our emotions, rather than our emotions directed by our wills. 

More often than I may care to admit, I find that my willingness to live a life directed and animated by the life of Christ is fickle and dependent upon how I feel in any given moment. If I’m having a good day or encouraged in my faith, I press on in faithful living. Yet if I feel discouraged, disheartened, or derailed, it is terribly easy to allow these emotions to impact, not only how I feel, but how I live.

The Apostle Paul was fully aware of this temptation that we all face, and in his letter to Timothy encourages him, not to “follow his heart” or simply act as he feels, but to live a willed and disciplined life in which he can daily decide to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” What might it look like if we did the same?

Often we shy away from the idea of being an example for others. It may feel arrogant or presumptuous. We are all too aware of the sin that remains within our hearts, the sickness that has yet to be fully healed, so how could we possibly claim to be an example for others to follow? Remember this: no one is expecting you to be an example of perfection. The example we are called to set is one of humility, repentance, and love. And though our emotions have a part to play, even a significant part, they do not call the shots. 

We are able, imperfect as we may be, to wake up every morning and direct our wills toward the way of Christ, and resolve afresh to set an example, modeling for those around us a way of living that is shaped and animated, not by the ever-changing whims and fancies of our fickle hearts, but by the virtues and values of the Kingdom of God.

The believers pilgrimage

If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:15-16, ESV

A friend of mine recently walked a portion of the Camino. The Camino de Santiago, or The Way of James, originates in France and concludes in northern Spain and has been a popular spiritual pilgrimage for believers since the 10th century. The plan was to hike a portion of the route for eight days, 14 miles a day. Traverse up and down hills in the heat of the sun and through the cool of the forest for much-needed shade. Some days their energy level was high and their spirits exhilarated, and other days it was almost impossible to take one more step with noodle legs and tired achy feet. Roadside cafes, spartan hotels, and the company of others infused the necessary physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength to push ahead. This sounds like life doesn't it we are all journeying together, encouraging each other through pain and joy, fear and hope, quitting or pushing on toward our goals.  

The writer of Hebrews, who is probably the Apostle Paul, describes followers of Jesus as those on a journey through life to a city prepared for them by God. These people of faith followed hard after heaven, not turning back to their old way of living…for they had found a much better way. Not better in the sense of easier, but better knowing that the Lord was leading their lives and His presence and purpose were superior to submitting to the much lesser gods and idols whose destination was destruction. As followers of Jesus, we are passing through life as “tent dwellers,” but the City of God awaits all who are faithful. Charles Spurgeon captures this imagery: 

'We know that this earthly house of our' tent 'shall be dissolved, but we have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' 'He has prepared a city.' A city is a place of genial associations. In a lonely hamlet, one has little company. In a city, especially where all the inhabitants shall be united in one glorious brotherhood… In a city such as this, there are plentiful occasions…where mutual interests shall enhance mutual joy.

If you are tempted to turn back from moving ahead in your journey with Jesus, make sure to assess what you are giving up. Peace for worry, security for insecurity, clarity for confusion, authentic faith for anemic faith, intimacy with God to estrangement from God, and heaven for earth. Perseverance is the mark of faithful believers who see suffering as an opportunity for deeper fellowship with Jesus and to trust the Lord during trials. Yes, life’s journey has very real pain, disappointments, loss, rejection by friends, unhealthy families, sin, sorrow and grief. Yet, along the same life journey, there are blessings galore: joy, forgiveness, healing and the hope of looking to our ultimate home in heaven. The promised land is ahead, where faith moves forward.

Christian pilgrims travel in community, looking to encourage one another in the faith and to help one another live a life that honors God. When one stumbles, the other is in close proximity to grab her hand before she falls. When one falls, there are two or three close by to pick him up and help restore him to a healthy path. When one’s burden is way too much for one person to handle, those who walk close to Christ help bear their brother or sister's burden and, in the process, live out the love of Christ. And hopefully, as all Jesus' followers journey together, they are drawing close to Jesus together. Walking with Jesus as a pilgrim is the best companion of all. He reminds His friends along the way to keep looking for a better city and, in the meantime, keep moving on.

Repentance

 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 1:14-15, NKJV

Repentance is both the beginning and end of the Christian life. By “end” I mean the aim toward which we move, the target that we set our hearts and lives upon without wavering or turning aside. As the 7th-century theologian Isaac the Syrian powerfully put it, “This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it in vain pursuits.”

This life has been given to you for repentance.

What do we make of such a statement? In truth, most of us believe (and act!) as though repentance is a one-off action, something done in the past that has little bearing upon our present or our future. Perhaps a singular moment of conversion comes to mind, a time in your life in which you made a definitive step toward Christ and away from a life of sin and death. For this we can give great thanks—Glory to God! Yet as often as our steps deviate from the narrow path of faith, repentance is needed to bring us back in alignment with the straight and narrow.

And for this reason, repentance is a posture and way of life from which we never advance.

To repent literally means to “change one’s mind.” It is an about-face, a turning away from one vision of life and turning to the world of Christ and his kingdom. Therefore, repentance is required each and every time our minds are captivated by a competing vision that offers purpose or meaning apart from an abiding life in Christ.

In order to “change your mind,” you must be aware of the thoughts, values, and beliefs that make their home in your mind. It is remarkably easy to live an unobserved life, one in which unhealthy habits and positions set up shop without us ever stopping to notice! As such, a key to a life of wisdom is to establish daily habits of reflection and evaluation. 

Ask yourself each morning: “In both small and potentially great ways, where is an about-face needed in my thoughts or actions?” “Are there ways my steps have deviated from the way of Christ?” “Are there unhealthy beliefs or patterns of behavior that were once isolated and limited but have now become a regular and consistent part of my daily life?”

Choose today to embrace a life of repentance and discover afresh the joy of turning away from darkness and toward the light and life of Christ.

“This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it in vain pursuits.”