Romans 8: 9 - 11 NKJV
We have talked alot lately of our "True identity" in our weekly group discussions. Indeed, the topic of the Male identity has been the subject of many christian books, videos and Sunday sermons. One of my favorite books, Wild At Heart by John Eldredge has been celebrated in christian circles for exemplifying the true spirit of the men among us. But is this adventure seeking, danger flouting individual which Eldredge tells us about what truly defines us? I would say it isn't. While I applaud Mr. Eldredge on tapping into the adventurous spirit of all men, I also think that he left out a vital component which defines us. Although I enjoy this book alot, I have always thought there was more to us than just running from adventure to adventure. There is Christ Jesus. It is here where I feel that Eldredge kind of dropped the ball in his description of the male spirit. While it is true that we, more than our female counterparts, seek more of the adventure and danger of life, this is definately not what ultimately defines us as men, as Christ men. The apostle Paul himself touches on this in Romans 8 as he tells us that we are not flesh, but spirit. THIS is what defines who we are as men. For our bodies, our flesh are mere coverings for that true identity within us. If this were not so, wouldn't Paul have given more importance to the flesh which we all see in ourselves and others? Instead, Paul tells us here that we are ALL in the spirit. So, the question then becomes, which spirit is it that defines us?
1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the acourse of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2: 1 - 10 NKJV
In Ephesians 2, Paul illustrates each of the two spirits which may define us as men. Please keep in mind, however, that it is indeed the spirit of Christ Jesus which is our "Default" setting, as were all created in His very spirit image. What then of this "Spirit of the power of the air" which Paul tells us about here? Well, make no mistake, this is the very spirit of our enemy satan. As Paul tells us, we all once walked according to the course of this world we live in and were dead in our trespasses and sins. That is, until our heavenly Father, through His love and mercy, made us alive once again in the spirit of Christ Jesus. However, Paul also talks of the sons of disobedience, who continue to walk in the spirit of the power of the air as we once did ourselves. Yes, there are those who yet have not recognized their "True" identity, their original spirit identity. We see them every day among us. We who have accepted Christ Jesus no longer know such things. For our identity now lies with Jesus, this is what now defines us. It is not our sins, environment or sense of adventure which ultimately tells us who we are, but the spirit of Christ Jesus who is in us. I believe that John Eldredge could have titled his best selling book "Wild at Heart In Christ." Just as we cannot deny a mans desire for danger and adventure, we also cannot deny his true spirit identity.
~Scott~
1 comment:
I will add one comment to this post, as Dennis attempted to point out this morning. If indeed we now live our lives as Jesus who is in us, then Jesus Himself longs for that adventure, danger and to rescue the maiden as Eldredge points out in his book that is the hard wiring of a man.
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