Welcome to the new blog at thenewlifecenter.org, “Set Free”. I will miss Simple Thoughts by Matt Dickinson as much as all of you. My name is Greg Finch. I have been counseling at New Life since 2012. This week’s article is my first official act as Executive Director. Like Matt, I am also an ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each week I will share a blend of what I have learned from fifteen years of pastoring and the knowledge I acquired while earning my Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling. The articles will always focus on the freedom we have in the grace and truth of God’s Word.
Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. (John 8:34-36 The Message)
In this first series we will examine highlights from a great book, How to Live Right When Your Life Goes Wrong by Leslie Vernick. The common denominator in all of our destructive behaviors is that we are acting on something that is not true. Gain a new perspective on the troubles God allows in your life. Come on a journey of personal growth and spiritual discovery as your heart is drawn back to a central tenet of the Gospel: Truth isn’t something you learn, but Someone you know. And the truth will set you free.
[31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed 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.” (John 8:31-32 ESV)
“God has made us relational beings, and we are significantly affected and changed by our close interpersonal relationships.” (pg. 9) There are many people in our lives who have the responsibility of encouraging or managing our behavior. These people may be your patents, your boss, the police, the I.R.S., your teacher, your spouse, a sibling, a friend, or a fellow follower of Christ. With the exception of the I.R.S. and maybe the police, are you most affected by their rules or their relationship with you?
“I’m afraid that sometimes we Christians lose our way toward spiritual maturity because we focus more on the rules of the faith than on our relationship with Jesus.” . . . “I knew the right things to believe, and I ‘believed’ them, but my belief never resulted in any significant change of heart. I was the same person, struggling over and over again with the same sins.” (pg. 9) Last year the Barna Group revealed the following research in a book titled Maximum Faith: Living Like Jesus.
While more than two-thirds of Americans say they are either “religious” or “spiritual,” they admit to not being deeply committed to faith matters. Fewer than one in five (18%) claims to be “totally committed” to engaging in personal spiritual development. Further evidence shows that among adults who claim to be Christian, just one out of every seven (14%) say that their faith in and relationship with God is the highest priority in their life. While four out of five adults say they are Christian, only one out of five (20%) contends that the single, most important decision they have ever made was to invite Jesus Christ to forgive them and become their savior. Driven by social mores, few adults who believe they are Christian are willing to abandon worldly objectives in favor of seeking godliness. Only one out of five (22%) stated that they live in a way which makes them completely dependent upon God – and follow up research, according to Barna, indicates that such dependence only emerges in times of crisis or suffering. (www.barna.org)
What are your thoughts? Are the Christians you know committed to knowing Jesus, or following the rules?
[3] And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3 ESV emphasis added)
Please come back next week. We will look at many of the ways we can know God. Until then, “live free!”