As a Christian, I’ve been down a lot of different roads. As in many different types of churches and schools and groups that each have their own peculiar lists of good and bad behavior.

Or of what constitutes the characteristics and works of a “good Christian”.

And each with their own certainty about the correctness of their specific views. Keeping in mind that we are talking about solidly biblical lists and ideas. Not simply some false religious traditions. Or stuff that a group has decided to camp out on that is debatable.

And there are a lot of groups that do that.

And, as I think back on these many exposures to Christian ideas, I can see a common denominator among them. Which is that the will power or self-discipline of the dedicated, sincere believer is often confused with the working of the Lord’s Spirit.

As in a Christian who works to do his best for the Lord versus a Christian who is dependent upon the Lord to do His own work in and through the believer.

Which is the difference between misery and Rest.

The book of Galatians is a perfect place to see this conflict spelled out. (Galatians 3)

Along with Romans which delves into the unceasing conflict between the flesh and the Spirit within the believer. (Romans 7: 14-25)

And, of course, Colossians which talks of various self-imposed disciplines called “will worship”. As in the trust one might place in his own ability to do stuff. Especially the stuff we really don’t want to do. Because we think that the Lord is happy with us when we do things that way. (Colossians 2:18-23)

In other words, we get backed into a place where we try to do all kinds of stuff that a “true disciple” would do or not do.

Which, in the most general sense, is not a wrong way to think. Since we think that we should desire to do whatever the Lord has told us to do. That we should want to please Him in all things.

However, Getting There is a whole different ball game. And a whole different can of worms.

Which is the cosmic struggle every believer must face and come to understand. Because we are stuck here to deal with our own hideous strength. Our own inner “Christian flesh”.

And there is only one way to deal with this monster.

By faith.

The Common Faith Replacement

How one interprets this “faith” process determines how much grief one will experience.

Because most Bible churches, whatever form they take, will turn “faith” into a form of discipline. Into a series of good works that a church will teach a good believer must do. And bad works he must not do.

And if you want to be a leader in that church, then you will exponentially increase your grief quotient. Or what one might call the cost to participate.

The problem simply is that the church today has replaced faith with good works and good intentions. Which, again, in the most general sense, are not bad. But these “things” (works, service, etc.) have replaced faith in our lives.

The way all this tends to work has to do with how we actually learn to hope in the Lord. Or to what EXTENT we hope in the Lord.

Or how we actually arrive at this place of true dependence.

Finding Christ as Our Life and Not Just Our Salvation

A believer who has a lot of natural abilities or who has found the church to be very supportive and encouraging and has elevated that person to a lot of positions of leadership and authority, is in deep trouble.

Potentially.

Because that affirmation can become like a drug. We all like it and want to have more of it.

We like the affirmation that others give us that makes us feel we are acceptable to the Lord. And then we mistakenly believe that His approval is based on our standing with the local body and its leadership. As well as the affirmation of others.

Until the day we begin to grow weary of it. And tired. And in need of something real.

Or the day we begin to question why our local body does not emphasize biblical truth and doctrine.

But just about everything else.

And we long for something deeper than the “service” high that has replaced the sweet depths of faith the Lord gives us when we go deep into His His word. Taking All of His words seriously.

And, of course, that inevitable point when we reach the end of our rope. When the Christian “service” and all the Christian “stuff” just doesn’t cut it anymore.

When we come to the end of our own strength, energy, and motivation. The end of our own Christian dedication.

In other words, we reach the point where we want what is real.

When we want “to see Jesus“.

When we are ready to look to Christ alone as both our Righteousness and also as our Sanctification.

And as our Life.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

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