“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . .”[1] The concept of human equality is an ideal example of idealism, even though the authors of the United States Declaration of Independence labeled it a self-evident truth. I suppose that would make them truly idealistic to the realist, since the realist really knows that some men are more equal than others realistically. Truth that is self-evident, after all, is relatively relative to the self who is considering the truth to be evident. Evidently then, realism is relative to the reality of the realist, thus philosophically categorizing the realist as a relativist. In psychology, this philosophical construct is defined as psychosis: “ (a) fundamental derangement of the mind (as in schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality especially as evidenced by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech and behavior.”[2]
Reality is defined by objective truth, not perceptions or emotions that are relative to an individual or group of individuals. Common belief is still commonly relative. Common belief, however, is commonly known as common sense. Common sense is an oxymoron. An idea that becomes common does not necessarily make sense. Sense is a philosophical word synonymous with reason. Reason is objective. Therefore, common sense can be nonsense if it does not agree with what is objectively true. God is the sole author of truth and his truth exists apart from man’s ability to perceive it, understand it or apply it. God’s objective truth is and always has been counter-cultural because it is contrary to what is truly common to man: “. . . all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”[3]
It is not just an ideal that all men are created equal. Since the fall of Adam, every person born inherited the common trait of sinfulness. We are all guilty and deserve death. That means you and I are just as culpable as the serial rapist, the savage murderer and the child molester. The self-image the light of this truth reveals is too despicably demoralizing for many to face, driving generations of lost souls further into the darkness of their own self-delusion and slavery to sin. However, knowing and accepting this truth is the first lesson on the road to freedom. Consider the truth Jesus revealed to the Jews:
John 8:31-36 ESV 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
The psychotic psychologists of today stipulate the source of freedom from despair comes from within by discovering your true worth, learning to think very highly of yourself. This nonsensical rhetoric is even being heralded from the prominent pulpits of particularly proud preachers. Your common sense is even telling you your true hopeless identity can’t be true. Nevertheless, failing to take this first step into the light by accepting your identity as a sinner worthy of destruction is to remain in darkness, disillusionment and despair.
It is only by accepting your need for a savior you can be saved. Confess your identity and Jesus will replace the horrible with the holy.
Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Being remade in the image of Christ requires confessing, believing and applying these truths every day. Using these truths as a foundation, we are given capacity to see and apply other truths in the construction of our new identities through Scripture, worship, prayer, and the accountability of other believers. Therefore, let us all work together in fellowship to build each other up according to God’s objective truth that is common to all of us. As believers in Christ, it is only common sense.
[1] United States Declaration of Independence
[2] Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary
[3] Romans 3:23 ESV.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Introduction to The Common Thread
As most of you know, I have been working for several weeks to prepare a format for a devotional to be shared through e-mail. I did not anticipate it would take me this long to send the first edition when I mentioned it to you. I still don't have the certainty to commit to an established period of time between editions. Nevertheless, I'm not going to allow uncertainty to delay the introduction any further.
I first thought I would base the whole devotional on the book written by Robert McGee, The Search for Significance. I have read it several times, always gaining new insights for application toward understanding my emotions, the theology of grace, and breaking the chains of my dependence on the fickle approval and opinions of others. However, I have now decided to broaden my scope so I may include other sources that have been equally influential in my personal development. For now, I will be including additional lessons from Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, reformed atheist and author C.S. Lewis, and my pastor, Ryan Whitley.
To encompass such a broad range of material, I have chosen the title “The Common Thread” to represent my metaphorical view of what we all have spiritually in common. I believe all Christians are made from the same material so therefore share a “common thread.” The common thread, of course, originates from God himself, with which he makes us in his likeness. Since God is love we are made to be love, evidenced by loving him and loving each other. Being the most masterful of artists, God has woven his thread to form the fabric of our new personal and corporate identities. Likewise, he has uniquely, beautifully and intentionally colored us according to our role in the creation of the ornate tapestry that displays his grand design. To fulfill our role, we must all decisively agree on the objective truth that is the material common to all of us, woven by love. Also, we must understand and work together according to our diversely colored perceptions and our personally unique gifts, thus taking our individual places in forming his grand design.
In this introduction, I feel compelled to offer the disclaimer that I am a wretched sinner. I have confessed Jesus to be my Lord since I was eight years old but I have also committed terrible sins every day since that first confession. Some of my sins have been overlooked because they are corporately common and culturally acceptable. Other sins from my past and flaws in my character have not been so subtle, yielding recognizable consequences such as divorce, loss of the means to finish the remainder of my seminary degree, loss of my career in Army Chaplaincy, restricted access to my son and financial devastation.
Having confessed my sinfulness, I urge you to now accept my confession as a credential for the identity God has given me and my understanding of the power of his grace. Though I am still a sinner, my identity is now defined as one who has been redeemed and justified by the blood of Jesus. I have been completely changed and I am completely clean through the power of his Holy Spirit and the sufficiency of his grace. I believe and accept with indescribable certainty I am dead to my history and live according to what God has produced in me. Like the lepers in the Gospels, I am overcome with wonder and joy for the healing I have received and I am likewise overcome with desire to share with everyone the story of how it happened.
We live in a culture that continues to drift further away from Biblical truth and is dragging many confessing Christians along in the current. The expression of community in our local churches is also being redefined by our culture as families get busier, more technologically dependent, and more brainwashed by the media. Finding other believers who share a passion for and obedience to Scripture is becoming more difficult. It is especially difficult for me since I work alone and at night. I am often physically depleted, mentally dull and emotionally short on the weekends due to the demands of my work and the necessary change to a day schedule. Therefore, I will be extending my hand for fellowship to all of you as most of you are sleeping, sharing my testimony and joy in the Lord through the means I have available. While I welcome any response I do not expect any, knowing God will meet all of my needs. My prayer is he will use this offering to meet yours.
Romans 11:36 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
I first thought I would base the whole devotional on the book written by Robert McGee, The Search for Significance. I have read it several times, always gaining new insights for application toward understanding my emotions, the theology of grace, and breaking the chains of my dependence on the fickle approval and opinions of others. However, I have now decided to broaden my scope so I may include other sources that have been equally influential in my personal development. For now, I will be including additional lessons from Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, reformed atheist and author C.S. Lewis, and my pastor, Ryan Whitley.
To encompass such a broad range of material, I have chosen the title “The Common Thread” to represent my metaphorical view of what we all have spiritually in common. I believe all Christians are made from the same material so therefore share a “common thread.” The common thread, of course, originates from God himself, with which he makes us in his likeness. Since God is love we are made to be love, evidenced by loving him and loving each other. Being the most masterful of artists, God has woven his thread to form the fabric of our new personal and corporate identities. Likewise, he has uniquely, beautifully and intentionally colored us according to our role in the creation of the ornate tapestry that displays his grand design. To fulfill our role, we must all decisively agree on the objective truth that is the material common to all of us, woven by love. Also, we must understand and work together according to our diversely colored perceptions and our personally unique gifts, thus taking our individual places in forming his grand design.
In this introduction, I feel compelled to offer the disclaimer that I am a wretched sinner. I have confessed Jesus to be my Lord since I was eight years old but I have also committed terrible sins every day since that first confession. Some of my sins have been overlooked because they are corporately common and culturally acceptable. Other sins from my past and flaws in my character have not been so subtle, yielding recognizable consequences such as divorce, loss of the means to finish the remainder of my seminary degree, loss of my career in Army Chaplaincy, restricted access to my son and financial devastation.
Having confessed my sinfulness, I urge you to now accept my confession as a credential for the identity God has given me and my understanding of the power of his grace. Though I am still a sinner, my identity is now defined as one who has been redeemed and justified by the blood of Jesus. I have been completely changed and I am completely clean through the power of his Holy Spirit and the sufficiency of his grace. I believe and accept with indescribable certainty I am dead to my history and live according to what God has produced in me. Like the lepers in the Gospels, I am overcome with wonder and joy for the healing I have received and I am likewise overcome with desire to share with everyone the story of how it happened.
We live in a culture that continues to drift further away from Biblical truth and is dragging many confessing Christians along in the current. The expression of community in our local churches is also being redefined by our culture as families get busier, more technologically dependent, and more brainwashed by the media. Finding other believers who share a passion for and obedience to Scripture is becoming more difficult. It is especially difficult for me since I work alone and at night. I am often physically depleted, mentally dull and emotionally short on the weekends due to the demands of my work and the necessary change to a day schedule. Therefore, I will be extending my hand for fellowship to all of you as most of you are sleeping, sharing my testimony and joy in the Lord through the means I have available. While I welcome any response I do not expect any, knowing God will meet all of my needs. My prayer is he will use this offering to meet yours.
Romans 11:36 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
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