Moving Outward

Out of all the things I'm learning as I mature in the Christian faith, I am most intrigued by the method by which that growth is brought about. We grow and become more mature when we learn to focus on what is outside ourselves than what's on the inside.

Let's count the ways this plays out:

We needed Jesus for our salvation, because we cannot save ourselves. [Eph 2:8-9]

We need to be filled by the Holy Spirit to be born-again and believe [Titus 3:5], as we walk and resist sin (sanctification) [Galatians 5], and as we study (meditation) and understand God's word [1 Corinthians 2:12]. 

We need other believers - to point out the things we can't see in ourselves, and also point each other back to God and remember His grace. We need other people to affirm in us the good things so we may continue in them, and rebuke us in the things that need to be removed whenever necessary. We need other people to teach us and model for us what a life that pursues God looks like. Because on our own, we can't produce it. We can conjure up ideas of what it might look like, sure. But because we are sinful by nature, one of two things are bound to happen: (1) we'll become so self-righteous or (2) we'll always be disappointed.

What's even more interesting is that when we're on the giving end of that - we ourselves modelling for another believer a life that loves and obeys God - we can't model from ourselves. We need the gospel for that too.  When we make room for the gospel, we diminish opportunities for insecurity to seep through and tell us lies such as -

"You're incompetent"

"You can't teach what you once failed in" 

"You have no right to speak up about this topic" 

"You cannot be an example"

EXTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY, INTERNAL FREEDOM

Our insecurities arise when we try to find the answers in ourselves, only to see where we are sorely lacking. When I tend to keep to myself, (and admittedly, that happens quite often) all my failures are in full view. I end up comparing myself to other people. I end up in this cycle of bitter nostalgia and anxious expectancy - wondering how I got here and how I can get out. But in light of the gospel, we get an accurate picture of who we are. Broken, bruised, defeated. And know that all those shortcomings are what makes God's grace all the more valuable and beautiful. We are reminded that His mercies are new and are enough to cover us. It is His glory that is on display, not ours.

Culture will tell you otherwise. They'll tell you that all the answers you need are found when you look inside yourself. That finding the meaning of life starts with either emptying yourself, or self-love; not being in need of anyone, or "you doing you." Christianity is radically different in the way that it requires an outward gaze. It is not about us, or what we can find when we search within. Funny, even our church disciplines reflect that reality. (i.e Baptism is an outward declaration of an inward Truth) And honestly, as someone who would rather keep parts of her life private, that is a scary thought. But I'm beginning to realize that the more I stay quiet and shut myself in, the less peace I have. (You try staying cooped up in your own thoughts for too long -- it will drive you mad!) Luther once wrote that "the Christian life is all outside of us". So true and lasting peace is being able to be fully satisfied in God, not myself. And I believe we will understand this better when we belong to a community that is committed to do the same.

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11