Re: Think 03-29-09

Written on March 30, 2009 by Matt

After a very very long layoff, this is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.  I know the blogging around here has been erratic, but like any other discipline it takes time, and in many ways a schedule to get it accomplished.  Hopefully we can begin being more regular around here.

The past several weeks we have been digging into the lives of the Patriarchs, paying specific attention to the life of Abraham.  The life of Abraham is one we need pay special attention to, since it is his story that dominates the remainder of Genesis, arguably the most foundational book in all of Scripture.  The life of Abraham thus far has been one filled with incredible faithfulness and dynamic failure, as God continues to shape this man into the patriarch He desires him to be.

This passed Sunday we concentrated on Genesis 22 and commented on what we saw as Abraham’s Road to Redemption and Lessons learned along the way.  Specifically, we pointed to three lessons we learn on the Road to Redemption: 1) The Road to Redemption is a journey, 2) The Road to Redemption is where we learn obedience and excercise faith, 3) The Road to Redemption is the only place we meet Jesus.

Part of the journeying aspect of the Road to Redemption is that it takes time.  In the microwave society we live in, it is not our nature to want to take time doing much of anything, let alone “growing in faith.”  Yet, we forget God has made us for eternity, and the entirety of this life is preparation for eternity with Him.  Since all of this life is preparation for the next, we should reject the false bag of goods that tells us if things are rough, there is some kind of defect in us or God.  Life is tough, and glory comes later.

When we look at the whole of Scripture, there is not a whole lot of evidence that suggests those who were faithful to God in this life had much to speak of materially this side of eternity.  More often disciples were those who we find getting, beaten up, spit on, thrown out of town, disowned by families, shipwrecked, in jail and like their leader, nailed to a tree.  So, when we equate “success” in the Christian life with anything that money or smooth talk can obtain, we have traded the truth of God for a lie.

Later we will look at the other two lessons learned on the Road to Redemption, but for today a few questions:

1) What lessons have you learned on this Road to Redemption?

2) How has God used events in your life to shape you?

Thoughts?

Posted in Re: Think