Tools for Monday: Living in the Tension
Pastor James recently wrote the following reflection on a book by renowned Christian ethicist, T.B. Maston. The book is called Why Live the Christian Life? and involves the tension that a Christian experiences in his/her spiritually maturing process. Dr. Maston’s quotation from the book is featured below, followed by Pastor James’s biblically-informed reflection.
Maston Moment: “Any Christian who is serious about living the Christian life knows that he must never lose that inner tug, the constant tension between the level on which he is now living and the level toward which he knows he should move.” (p.134).
Treasure from Holy Scripture: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would.” Galatians 5:16-17 (RSV)
Abidingly Relevant: Maston understood that the tension between the now and the not yet nature of God’s Kingdom is intricately woven into the Christian’s maturing experience. A serious student of Jesus never truly “arrives” in this life, becoming content with his/her struggle against the flesh. The Holy Spirit empowers and enables the disciple to walk as Jesus walked, but the finish line lies ahead, in a place not made with human hands.
Walk as Jesus Walked: Lord, give us ears to hear the footsteps of your Spirit as You help us to crucify the flesh and daily traverse the way of the cross.