By Roger Wilson
Children the world over play hopscotch. To play hopscotch, you throw a rock or beanbag into square 1. If it lands without touching the sides of the square, you leap over square one and jump on one leg, sometimes two, to the end of the pattern. If you were able to do it right without stepping on a line, or losing your balance, you turn around and go back to square 1, pick up your token, and hop into that square. In our Christian journey, after ensuring our protection from hell (dropping the token in Square 1), we leap over Square 1 because we have been infected with Adam's independent spirit. After all, his actions were, in effect, a declaration of independence from God. Oh, we know that the blood of Christ shed on the cross was necessary to redeem us from the curse of the law. We couldn't be on the journey at all without that provision. We even have some idea that we have been reconciled to God because of what Jesus did, but then we seem to think it's all up to us. Most of us have been taught—by example—if no other way, that we can make ourselves better by trying harder, doing more work for God, eliminating bad habits, going to church, becoming a minister, or any one of a myriad other commendable activities. Finally in desperation we regretfully conclude that none of it is working and we turn around and go back to square one. Here we discover that it is not about doing—we can't improve ourselves—it's about dying, and becoming one with Christ. We discover that we were called to become conformed to His image. Okay what does that mean? We have no independent life because we were crucified with Christ and now can live only his life. When we listen to Jesus we find out how powerless we really are to do anything. He said, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. He also said, I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. Is that the image of what I am to become? Yes! Think how much this simplifies things. If all my Christian life consists of Hearing God and Doing What He's Doing, it eliminates a lot of confusion and responsibility. This is what we call Square 1 Living. I didn't say it was easy, because we all have been conditioned into a life of self effort. Everything in us wants to take responsibility for earning God's approval and love. We are just now learning that we already have his love and acceptance because we have chosen to permit Jesus life to become our life. Everything in our Christian life beyond hearing and obeying has to do with eliminating the barriers to our ability to live that way. One of the amazing discoveries we've made is that there really is nothing beyond Square 1. Instead of being the starting place, it is the destination, because it is here that we are abiding in Christ and being fruitful branches of the Vine. Come join us as we continue learning Square 1 Living.
Italicized quotations are from John 5:19&30. Galatians 2:20 is referred to.
Roger Wilson is one of the elders/pastors of Tabernacle Church in Melbourne, Florida. Roger with a couple of colleagues are writing their experiences in their walk with God in their up coming book called square 1 living.
Children the world over play hopscotch. To play hopscotch, you throw a rock or beanbag into square 1. If it lands without touching the sides of the square, you leap over square one and jump on one leg, sometimes two, to the end of the pattern. If you were able to do it right without stepping on a line, or losing your balance, you turn around and go back to square 1, pick up your token, and hop into that square. In our Christian journey, after ensuring our protection from hell (dropping the token in Square 1), we leap over Square 1 because we have been infected with Adam's independent spirit. After all, his actions were, in effect, a declaration of independence from God. Oh, we know that the blood of Christ shed on the cross was necessary to redeem us from the curse of the law. We couldn't be on the journey at all without that provision. We even have some idea that we have been reconciled to God because of what Jesus did, but then we seem to think it's all up to us. Most of us have been taught—by example—if no other way, that we can make ourselves better by trying harder, doing more work for God, eliminating bad habits, going to church, becoming a minister, or any one of a myriad other commendable activities. Finally in desperation we regretfully conclude that none of it is working and we turn around and go back to square one. Here we discover that it is not about doing—we can't improve ourselves—it's about dying, and becoming one with Christ. We discover that we were called to become conformed to His image. Okay what does that mean? We have no independent life because we were crucified with Christ and now can live only his life. When we listen to Jesus we find out how powerless we really are to do anything. He said, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. He also said, I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. Is that the image of what I am to become? Yes! Think how much this simplifies things. If all my Christian life consists of Hearing God and Doing What He's Doing, it eliminates a lot of confusion and responsibility. This is what we call Square 1 Living. I didn't say it was easy, because we all have been conditioned into a life of self effort. Everything in us wants to take responsibility for earning God's approval and love. We are just now learning that we already have his love and acceptance because we have chosen to permit Jesus life to become our life. Everything in our Christian life beyond hearing and obeying has to do with eliminating the barriers to our ability to live that way. One of the amazing discoveries we've made is that there really is nothing beyond Square 1. Instead of being the starting place, it is the destination, because it is here that we are abiding in Christ and being fruitful branches of the Vine. Come join us as we continue learning Square 1 Living.
Italicized quotations are from John 5:19&30. Galatians 2:20 is referred to.
Roger Wilson is one of the elders/pastors of Tabernacle Church in Melbourne, Florida. Roger with a couple of colleagues are writing their experiences in their walk with God in their up coming book called square 1 living.
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