At our best, we want to be totally devoted to God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and imitating the example of Jesus. But on a day-to-day basis, we are often spiritually half-hearted. We veer between zeal and apathy, with far more inconsistency, forgetfulness, and weakness than we'd like to admit. When our feet are made of clay, what does it look like to walk with Jesus?
At our best, we want to be totally devoted to God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and imitating the example of Jesus. But on a day-to-day basis, we are often spiritually half-hearted. We veer between zeal and apathy, with far more inconsistency, forgetfulness, and weakness than we'd like to admit. When our feet are made of clay, what does it look like to walk with Jesus?
To honestly embrace the tension of our inconsistent faith that we might experience God's grace as we depend upon the Holy Spirit and increasingly thrive as followers of Jesus.
I was sitting at a cozy table at Pavement Coffeehouse at Boston University, meeting with a sophomore student. He confessed: "Carson, I know we talked about me reading the Bible every day, but I haven't even opened it since last week."
In my pride, what I couldn't bring myself to mention was that my own, personal times with God had fallen flat. Even as I led multiple Bible studies a day, it was hard to motivate myself to spend even more time reading the Bible when I was by myself.
As much as I teach the importance of meditating on the Scriptures, I know the struggle to habitually practice what I preach.
The gap between our spiritual aspirations and our frail humanity isn't new to God. As Psalm 103 reminds us, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust."
For Christians, we have an unusual example to follow: Jesus, who lived a perfect, sinless, and completely loving life. There's a certain brazen audacity in suggesting that anyone might try to be like the Incarnate God.
Yet that is the standard he set for his disciples! Jesus was crystal-clear: "If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34).
A dead fish floats down the river; a living one can swim against the current. The experience of struggling to be holy is a promising sign! It indicates that we are alive to God.
We're bombarded with ads and surrounded by upwardly mobile peers. As a result? We're habituated to comfort.
Our struggles usually include sin, but it's more comprehensive. Our bodies get tired, our minds get overwhelmed, and our hearts get distracted. When Jesus saw his disciples sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane, that's what he observed: "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41).
The Bible tells us the challenge is even greater. Peter warns us, "Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
So, what's the secret to making progress?
**First, we need to face reality.** As C.S. Lewis noted, "No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good."
**Second, we need to remember what God has done.** To gain strength for the current battle, it helps to remember the earlier ones.
**Third, we gently recalibrate our hearts to God's love.** Brother Lawrence learned to gently and calmly reorient himself to God's loving presence.
**Fourth, we practice the spiritual disciplines.** Whether it is Bible reading, prayer, fasting, study, service, or worship, practicing these habits transforms us.
**Fifth, we start small and stay small.** Let's never despise the power of small, consistent action.
The hardest challenge might be seeing God at work in our weakness. As Paul explained, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Over time, this phrase was slightly expanded into what is now known as the "Jesus Prayer":
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
For countless saints over the centuries, this heartfelt expression of dependence opened their lives to God's grace.
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate... For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do... What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Carefully retrace the logic of this passage. What does Paul say about the law, the flesh, the power of sin, and the work of God?
In what ways have you felt like a prisoner to sin?
In what ways have you experienced God granting you freedom from its grip?
How does Paul's realism about sin give us hope?
Jesus, we know that if we died with you, we will also live with you. If we endure with you, we will also reign with you. If we deny you, you will deny us. And if we are faithless, you remain faithful, for you cannot deny yourself. Strengthen our faith as we remember that you became fully human, are risen from the dead, and that you are worth enduring anything. We trust you to save us, and bring us into eternal glory. Amen (2 Timothy 2:8-13).
How have you seen God at work this past week?
In what ways is your faith inconsistent?
When you are stuck in a spiritual struggle, how have others been most helpful? What's been counter-productive?
How have you experienced God's steadfast faithfulness?
What people, places, or patterns make it hardest for you to be faithful to God?
Are there any ways that spiritual perfectionism has made it harder for you to grow?
What would change if you believed that God responds to your struggles with grace?
Review your calendar and find a moment you associate with inconsistency. Make a plan to be faithful instead, and share your plan with a trusted, caring friend.
Who can you talk to about the inconsistencies of your life?
How can you grow as a supportive, trustworthy, grace-filled friend?
Review your Life Plan for performance-based goals. What would it look like to revise these goals to be realistic, grace-based rhythms of life?
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