Crosswalk.com--The Devotional

[Judy Harder]

What's Happening Behind the Scenes
Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14, NIV

About a month ago I saw a performance of Into the Woods. This Stephen Sondheim musical won a number of Tony Awards several decades back, but I had never seen it in person.

As I watched the performance and the familiar fairy tales (including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel) all converging in one brand new tale, I could hear the small orchestra accompanying from backstage. I knew they were there and could detect their presence by the notes being played, but I never saw any of the musicians on the other side of the curtain.

I'm sure there was a lot of other activity going on behind the scenes as well, but it wasn't visible to me. I was concentrating on the actors and the staging and the story being told through song. Yet in order for the show to go on as I was seeing it, I know there had to have been a lot going on backstage.

All of that activity was being managed by a friend of mine who was the show's director. I greeted him afterward and told him how much I enjoyed the performance. He is extremely talented and experienced in musical theater, and I could tell everything was in very capable hands.

Another story that was in THE most capable hands of all time is that of Esther. God was always working as this story unfolded in the Old Testament, though maybe he's not as visible here. The Almighty's every move is not spelled out nor are there scenes where we see him directly speaking to the different characters or them seeking him through prayer. But what we do witness is God's sovereignty behind the scenes in the lives of Esther, Mordecai, Haman and King Xerxes.

In a nutshell, once Esther was chosen to be the successor to Queen Vashti, she moved into the palace with King Xerxes (but she kept her Jewish heritage a secret). Soon, though, her cousin Mordecai learned of a plot by a high-ranking official named Haman to kill the Jews (since Haman was incensed that Mordecai would not bow down in honor to him).

Mordecai then sent word to Esther in the palace and pleaded with her to help stop this conspiracy. Meanwhile, Haman decided to build some gallows by his house on which he would hang Mordecai. And then meanwhile to that meanwhile, when King Xerxes had a sleepless night he summoned for the official book of the record of his reign for a little late-night reading. And he just "happened" to learn that in prior days Mordecai had exposed two enemies which in turn helped save the king's life.

What transpired next was just too amazing! The king ordered Haman to honor Mordecai for his past efforts to save the king (which meant that Haman had to robe Mordecai and lead him through the streets on horseback for everyone to see). And then in a series of banquets Esther prepared for both the king and Haman, she finally exposed Haman and his plans to kill the Jews. And as a result, King Xerxes ordered that Haman be hanged on the very gallows this hateful man had built for Mordecai.

And after all of that, the Jews were saved.

Wow! Once you can see all that was really going on "behind the scenes" and how God was moving, aren't you amazed? If we believe our God is sovereign, then surely we must believe he is always working on our collective behalf. While his ways cannot always be seen, those undetectable works are no less important than his mighty acts and displays of power and glory that we do see.

And in the end, it doesn't even matter. God wants us to trust him regardless of what we see, because he is always there . . . behind the scenes.

Intersecting Faith & Life: God doesn't always dramatically "part the Red Sea" every day in our lives, so to speak. In what smaller, quieter ways have you seen God's hand move in your life in recent days?

Further Reading:

Psa. 46:10-11, NIV

Isa. 55:8, NIV

1 Peter 5:6, NIV

[Judy Harder]

Bearing With One Another
by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3: 13-14

Sometimes I think the biggest stumbling block to living the Christian life exists in our interactions with other Christians. Those who profess faith in Christ are very capable of hurting each other – perhaps even unusually "gifted" at it.

Yes, fellowship within the Church can be wonderfully fulfilling, offering true glimpses of the unity we will experience in heaven. But (as life frequently reminds us) we're not in heaven yet, so our relationships with one another often fall short of the "Beatific Vision."

So what do we do when we're faced with failure in our relationships, especially when our fellow Christians fail to meet our expectations? Much has been said about the necessity of forgiving trespassers. Scripture makes it clear we are to imitate Christ and show mercy to those who have wronged us, and counselors have written extensively on the personal freedom one finds in forgiving even the most terrible sins. But I think sometimes it's not the huge transgressions that challenge us most. Sometimes it's the smaller infractions that wear on our souls.

Perhaps you've observed imperfections in another that open personal wounds, rub you the wrong way or just plain annoy you. Perhaps there is someone in your life that consistently brings out your ugly side or whose presence simply symbolizes something you desire but have not achieved. This kind of pain is often absorbed interiorly. There's no public stand to take, no 12-step program designed to walk you through.

Over time, we may find that we begin to keep count of this person's failings. We may catch ourselves gossiping about them or avoiding them in our daily lives. Each infraction is like a small stone that eventually builds a wall around the heart, a wall that stands not only between you and that person but also between you and Christ.

One of my favorite Christian heroes, St. Therese of Lisieux, faced such a situation in her community of cloistered Carmelite nuns. Behind the walls of her tranquil convent, relational strife simmered. Some nuns had maddeningly annoying habits that interfered with prayerful contemplation whereas others displayed a variety of mundane vices like laziness or sloppiness. St. Therese had a personal dislike for a particular nun who often acted unhappy and critical. She sought ways to avoid this person in her daily tasks – until she realized she was failing to love one of God's children. Therese had personally experienced Christ's love, with full knowledge of her invisible imperfections, so how could she justify failing to love this nun just because her faults were visible?

As her heart changed, so did her actions. Therese chose to smile at this young woman every time she passed her. She displayed unusual grace in their interactions, always ready to help with a task or share a kind word.

The change in Therese's demeanor did not go unnoticed. This nun made note to others that it seemed Therese had an unusual affection for her, and she began to return Therese's smiles.

I realize I would do well to imitate Therese more often. I struggle with the small acts of charity, the little things that only God notices. Yet, the decision to love in even the most seemingly insignificant ways transforms hearts. And while Therese's actions may not have brought on world peace, they brought Christ's peace to her world.

Intersecting Faith & Life: While it's good to speak out against wrong, some situations call for a silent gesture of love and grace. This week, perform a small act of kindness towards a person you find challenging to love. Remember that Christ knows all of our faults, yet His love never wavers.

Further Reading

Matthew 18: 15

The Command to Forgive

[Judy Harder]

It's Not About Who's Right Or Who's Wrong"
By Stephen Sanders, Audio/Video Editor for Salem Web Network

It's not about who's right or who's wrong. It is about glorifying God no matter who's doing what.

In my role here at Salem Web Network, I have the privilege of being able to see the best (and worse) the Body of Christ has to offer. Unfortunately, it is probably more bad than good in a lot of cases. But I guess it makes sense when you think about what Jesus said: "the road to life is a narrow road and few will follow."


This variety in the Body of Christ has been an ongoing struggle for me since the work environment I'd been in for the 5 years prior was very sheltered. I was working at a church, so I only saw that perspective on the Christian walk. But now I'm exposed to what seems to be millions of different outlooks on what it means to be a Christian.

A recent google search revealed to me that there are approximately 38,000 denominations of the Christian faith. I suppose you could probably lump a lot of those together into a few hundred general categories if you wanted to, or even protestant/catholic if you really, really wanted to. But the point is...even if it was 380 instead of 38,000...that is A LOT. But back to the perspectives...

With these 10's of thousands of denominations come even more views on what is right and what is wrong. What is "Christian" behavior and what isn't and so forth and so on. It is (and has been for me) a very easy thing to get caught up in if one isn't careful. In a recent devotional I wrote titled, "Don't Let Foolishness Get the Best of You" I shared how easy it has become for Christians to share their voice more boldly online. It's been over 2 months since I published that article and I'm still processing this whole ordeal; trying to find my place in all of this chaos.

Yesterday I think I finally came to a conclusion: No one is totally right. (Brilliant, I know) No matter how confident we may sound when we claim that, "__________ is what the Bible says about _________," none of us are right. How could we be? We still live in a sin-cursed world, we all still make mistakes, all still fall short of perfection that only God possesses.

Some of us sound really smart with our proclamations and it can be very easy for someone like myself to become mesmerized with a specific stance on certain matters. But what happens is that these perspectives, once taken to a certain level, become idols of our worship. And that goes for disagreeing with the perspectives just as much as showing allegiance. Let me give you an example.

Pastor _______ writes a book on ______ perspective on ________. Some agree with his refreshing insight while others accuse him of blasphemy. 1000's of people chime in and before you know it, it has become a bigger topic amongst Christian circles than the Gospel itself. Isn't that more evil than good? Isn't that behavior exalting the flesh and not the Spirit?

It becomes even more disturbing when it becomes more personal.

A first time visitor walks into a church sanctuary or youth group that is more about the issues than it is the Gospel message. They develop a perspective of what Jesus is like from these encounters. After all, that's why people come to church. To hear about Jesus, right? Will they leave confused not knowing what they've just witnessed? Perhaps worse, will they become fascinated and faithfully follow a "man of god" who isn't Gospel-centered in his preaching.

Galatians 5:16-26 says, "...walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Now the works of the flesh are evident: ...enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger,rivalries, dissensions, divisions...and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love...peace, patience, kindness...gentleness, self-control. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

So, realizing the harm I've witnessed first hand on such matters, I've come to the conclusion that humility is key. As a Christian, I must never make certain things "sins" that the Bible doesn't claim to be sin. I must never make certain spiritual gifts bigger than they actually are. I must never become so involved in perspectives that I lose sight of how the Bible tells me to conduct myself. I must never make definitive statements about anything other than Jesus being God and the only way to eternal life. Because when I do that, it becomes more about me and less about Him.

Intersecting Faith and Life

I've been forcing myself to not become a part of such matters, not because I'm so fantastic, but because I think about how this causes others to perceive our faith. What must it look like to people who don't believe in Jesus when we act like this? Is this something you'd want to be a part of? Analyze your walk with me today and ask God if there are stances you are taking that overshadow Him.

[Judy Harder]

Trials of Prosperity
Alex Crain-Managing Editor at Christianity.com

"...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:11b-13

A friend of mine who lives in another part of the country (let's call him Joe) works as a recruiter. He specializes in finding jobs for lawyers, consultants, and accountants. When Joe places someone in a job, the hiring firm pays him a percentage based on the annual salary. A few years ago, when housing prices began taking a nose dive and the job market dried up, my friend nearly lost everything.

Every week, Joe and I would talk on the phone and pray together. We asked God to provide for our families and help us not get consumed with worry. God faithfully met our needs and the answers to prayer for Joe's finances came in small quantities, until just recently when the floodgates opened.

Last year, Joe made a couple of moderate placements while he tapped away at something he called his "needle in a haystack." A law firm in Asia was seeking a senior partner whose starting annual salary would be around $3 million. The bonus for Joe would be the biggest in his career if he could land it. Well, Joe's candidate eventually got the job. When Joe called me to share the news, we rejoiced and praised God together.

Then, because this less-than-joyful bit of news was fresh on my mind at the time, I shared with Joe (anonymously) about an acquaintance who was no longer living for God. He had inherited a good amount of money around the same time Joe's income had dried up to a trickle. The inheritance money fueled secret vices that eventually led him to the point of abandoning his wife and six young children for another woman. My wife and I stayed in this family's home just a few years ago. We still can't believe it.

Joe and I still pray on the phone and ask God to bless his business and keep him close to God as he tastes financial success. In light of the tragic break up of this other family, we've become more aware what a blessing it is to just have daily bread. The temptation to forget God in times of abundance is strong. When God allows trials of prosperity in our lives, we need to depend on Him even more.

Intersecting Faith and Life:

Though it might sound cliché, Satan will destroy us if he can. As Luther's hymn says: 'His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate.' No matter our circumstances, God wants us to trust Him, not piles of money.

Further Reading:

8 Things Contentment Opposes, by Tim Challies

Philippians 4

[Judy Harder]

June 6, 2012

The Wedding Day
By Ryan Duncan, Editor for TheFish.com

As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. - Isaiah 62:5

Last weekend one of my best friends got married. The wedding took place outside at their old college, the place where the two had first met. A few of the groom's friends and I helped raise a white tent on one of the school's grassy fields while the bridesmaids rushed back and forth setting tables, adjusting flowers, and making everything look just right. The ceremony was beautiful. The bride and groom received their parents' blessing, exchanged vows, and kissed with loud applause from the audience.

For me though, the best part came during the reception when the bride and groom had their first dance. As I sat there watching my friend and his wife dance to "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham, it struck me why Jesus often used weddings to describe the Kingdom of God.  You see, in that moment the only thing that mattered to the two of them was each other. It didn't matter that the road to marriage had been crazy, stressful and hard. It didn't matter that the weather wasn't perfect or that they had to wait a few days for their honeymoon. The only thing that mattered to my friend was holding the woman he loved in his arms and knowing that she loved him in return.

Life really is like a wedding banquet. The time leading up to the ceremony will be chocked full of mistakes and uncertainty, and there will be moments when we're unsure if we can live up to Christ's expectations. But if we continue to believe in Christ, then on the day when we stand before him, we will realize that none of those mistakes matter anymore. All that will matter is that he loves us, and we love him in return.                         

Intersecting Faith and Life

Married couples, take a moment to appreciate your spouse and reflect on Christ's blessing in your life.

Further Reading 

Jeremiah 33:11

[Judy Harder]

A Mouth That Got Washed Out
Laura MacCorkle, Senior Editor

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3, NIV

Have you ever had your mouth washed out? I have. Not recently, thankfully. But when I was still a child.

It happened while my mother and I were talking at the dinner table. In fact, my whole family was on hand as we were finishing up our evening meal. I remember disagreeing with something she had said or maybe just not liking whatever instruction she had given to me. And before I knew it, out came the dreaded words.

I knew that I shouldn't say them.

They were forbidden in my household.

I knew that they were disrespectful.

They were so very far from honoring my mother.

And yet, I wasn't deterred.

So out they came ...

"Shut up!" Gulp. Before I knew it, my mother took me by the collar and marched me down the hallway to the bathroom. On went the faucet. Whether it was hot or cold water, I can't remember.

Next, the bar of soap was quickly lathered into a frenzy. And then the unthinkable: my mother washed out my mouth. Suds and all. For what seemed like HOURS.

I know that I gagged, and I'm sure I played it up for dramatic effect as I cried with giant tears and struggled against the cleansing agents (my mom and the soap). But you know what? It worked. Never again did I say "shut up" to my mother. I had learned that lesson. And my mouth was a little less full of bacteria to boot!

At this point in my life, I'd like to share with you that this act of getting my mouth washed out has translated into all of my speech patterns and conversations going forward. But alas, as someone who is afflicted with chronic foot-in-mouth disease and having a mind that thinks and reacts quickly combined with a tongue that is happy to join forces and play along, I routinely find myself feeling sorrowful for things that I have just said.

While the tongue may be one of the smallest parts of the human anatomy, could it not be one of the most dangerous? In all of our cases, a thousand times yes! (James 3:6).

Like David, in Psalm 141, I know that there is one side of me that really does want to please the Lord with my speech and make sure that it is right and pure. But then there's that other side that really wants to appear witty and funny and, yes, truthful. But what may seem witty and funny and "truthful" to me can very quickly become that which kills a relationship, crushes a spirit, pollutes a mind, spreads hurtful information or divides a family or a group of friends.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths," says Ephesians 4:29. "But only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

So today, I'm going to do a virtual cleansing of my mouth. And then I'll take a thorough mental inventory and do some soul-searching to see what other unkind or sinful words I'm being convicted of saying.

Will You join with me? Let's ask the Lord to help us be wiser and more edifying in our conversations (Proverbs 15:4). Let's think before we speak (Proverbs 13:3). Let's say less and listen more (Proverbs 21:23). And then let's see what happens in our interactions with others (Proverbs 16:24) and in our walk with the Lord (Psalm 51:15).

Intersecting Faith & Life: Write or print out Ephesians 4:29 and affix it to your bathroom mirror, your rearview mirror in your car, somewhere on your desk or at your kitchen sink, or wherever you will see it the best. I've already done so, and I hope that we will both be able to hide these words in our hearts over the coming week and think about them as we speak.

Further Reading:


Psalm 19:14, NIV

Psalm 37:30, NIV

Proverbs 16:21, NIV

[Judy Harder]

June 8, 2012

Fiery Faith
by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2: 2-4

This week we celebrate Pentecost, one of the oldest feast days on the Christian calendar. It traditionally falls on the 50th day of Easter, marking the close of the season - and talk about ending things with a bang.

The spectacular scene described here has understandably captured the fascination of countless artists through the ages. While traveling in Spain, I was blessed to encounter one such painting by El Greco which quickly became a favorite of mine.

The vibrant piece, stretching from floor to ceiling, portrays the Apostles and Jesus' mother Mary with rapturous facial expressions illuminated by the brilliant flames of God's Spirit hovering above their heads. The fiery tongues seem to be the only source of light in the room – anything outside the reach of the Holy Spirit's glow quickly fades from dazzling color into shadowy darkness.

And yet for all the glory of that moment, the moments leading up to the descent of the Holy Spirit were, according to Scripture, filled with fear and uncertainty. The disciples had witnessed a roller coaster of events from the devastation of Jesus' crucifixion to the stunning miracles in the days following Jesus' resurrection to the promise that somehow, Jesus would be with them until the end of the age even after his ascension into heaven. They had experienced doubt, despair, awe, and amazement. Their lives had been turned upside down, and they could only wonder what might happen next.

After a pregnant pause, God came through for this faithful bunch, and the Church was officially born. Pentecost marks the day the apostles received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, allowing them to spread the gospel and baptize all nations.

Pentecost reminds me that even those who witnessed the miracles of Christ firsthand had to face and overcome uncertainty and fear. The disciples weren't perfect, and they weren't always clued into the details of God's bigger plan. Just like the early disciples, we are often called to simply take one day at a time and trust God with whatever the future may bring.

Pentecost also reminds me that while God often works in seemingly ordinary ways, sometimes He bursts through the veil that separates heaven and earth and wows us beyond our wildest hopes and dreams. He doesn't wait for us to be perfect or holy to bless us with His presence, but instead fills our frail selves with His glory and empowers us to do great things.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you remember times in your faith when you were truly "on fire" for God? When His presence was tangible and your heart was willing to go wherever He led you? Reflect on those times, and ask God to renew your fire for Him.

Further Reading

1 Corinthians 12: 4-7

John 20: 19-23

[Judy Harder]

Living in a Dream World
By Stephen Sanders, Audio/Video Editor for Salem Web Network

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23: 1

A life with no challenges would be awesome, wouldn't it? Always making the right decision, never running out of money, your kids always doing what they are supposed to do, never biting off more than you can chew... circumstances just magically falling into place so that we can effortlessly waltz through life in a state of constant enjoyment. Man, that sure would be nice...

Let's just close our eyes for a few seconds and imagine what that would be like...

I'm 32, and I have 3 daughters. One of them just turned 13. The other is 7. The youngest is 2. They are all very, very different. I cannot begin to tell you how overwhelming this can be sometimes.

The baby is absolutely the cutest little thing ever. However, she has turned out to be the "stubborn child." She writes on everything no matter how many times we tell her to stop. She refuses to use the potty. She will do a halfway-pee in her diaper, hold it and wait for you to change it, then pee in the fresh one immediately. It's not like we don't discipline her because we do!

But she's cute, and she's little and can only really get into so much trouble, so she doesn't stress me out too much...

The middle child is fairly drama free these days. She recently got 1st and 2nd semester honor roll and citizenship awards at school with pretty much zero supervision. But a couple years ago she was the bane of her K4 teacher's existence. I got called to the office, seriously, almost every single day that school year for her bad behavior. The principal felt like our daughter might have psychological problems. The teacher broke down in tears in the middle of multiple conversations. We had no answers.

The very next year my daughter was the teacher's pet. But, at the time, we blamed ourselves for these issues because we were her parents. Now we don't feel like such failures.

My oldest is actually my stepdaughter, and this relationship comes with its obvious trials. She's also a very attractive 13-year old; this poses even more issues. And if that wasn't enough already, there are the unexpected things that happen. They are like dreams you hoped would never happen but did. Then they rear their ugly heads and taunt you like a nightmare you swear you've had before...

...they cause you to wake earlier than you want to type a devotional at 4am...

I remember living in a dream world when I was her age. I knew everything. Everyone else was wrong and stupid. I know that will change. What I don't know is what scares me. Will she get involved in the wrong crowd at school? Will she make one bad decision and end up pregnant before she graduates? Will she grow up and want to live a life that is pleasing to God or pleasing to her? These are new questions that have started popping into my head recently.

I try so hard. I desire more than anything for her to grow up and have a perfect life; a life where she always makes the right decisions. A life where she never runs out of money. A life where... yeah...

I begin to realize that my expectations for her life are unrealistic. She is going to make bad decisions. I just need to be here to listen, to guide and to comfort her. Let her fail. In those things, listen to her worries and hurts and remind her why we need Jesus in the first place.

He isn't our God for our benefit... even though our relationship with Him does benefit us. He isn't our God because He will make us rich and healthy and free from the pain and difficulties of this world we live in. But He is here with us through these trials.

Intersecting Faith and Life

I recently started studying the Book of Psalms; a part of the Bible I've always neglected to see the true value in. I suppose God must have inspired them for times when His people were having times like I'm having right now. It's only by God's grace that I am as content as I am these days. I honestly don't stress too much about the things that are going on in my life. Even when I do begin to stress, God brings others to my attention, like homeless people, and I realize things could be so much worse. Or maybe the material things I deem so important actually cause me more stress... who knows.

All I know is that God continues to teach me how to be more like Him. My kids will be OK. My family will grow and become everything they are supposed to be. I just have to have faith in God and know that He has a plan that is so much greater than I could ever predict -- that this crazy world I live in isn't going to change. I will probably have a few more sleepless nights because of it; some nightmares may actually come true, but He is with me to provide peace and restoration and comfort.

For Further Study

Psalm 1

"In The House of God, Forever" by Jon Foreman

[Judy Harder]

The How of the Christian Life
Alex Crain, Editor, Christianity.com

"...be it unto me according to Your word."
Luke 1:38

"How It's Made," the Science Channel's hit show, regularly makes the most of people's curiosity about how household items like gummie candy, aluminum cans, and flavored bacon actually go from raw materials to finished product. It's easy to become mesmerized when cameras are leading you behind the scenes into the inner workings of factories making a few of your favorite things. By the end of each segment, the mists of your own vague ideas about process and production have been utterly dispersed.

This week's reading in chapter four of Francis Schaeffer's True Spirituality is a bit like "How It's Made" in that he delves into the secret of how the Christian life is effectively lived. While many of us know this secret in theory, the daily mist of our own residual fallen nature makes it necessary to review the blazing truth so that we might see ourselves (and God) accurately and live out our faith practically.

Moving forward from last week's teaching in chapter four about the normality of believing in unseen things, Schaeffer issues the biblical call this week to engage in what he terms "active passivity" when living the life of faith.

Schaeffer points out that belief in the Holy Spirit is one thing. Now what do we do with that belief? Second Corinthians 13:14 says that "the communion of the Holy Spirit" is to be with all true believers. We are to rely fully and constantly on Christ's promise to send us the Holy Spirit. He is the agent of the power and Person of the glorified Christ.

"There is not enough strength in ourselves, but placed before us is the power and work of the glorified Christ through the agency of the Holy Spirit. Surely this is exactly what Christ meant when he said, 'I will not leave you as orphans.'"
(John 14:18)

"As we look at the book of Acts, we find in the early church not a group of strong men laboring together, but the work of the Holy Spirit bringing to them the power of the crucified and glorified Christ. It must be so for us also."

"As with Mary in the virgin birth when she gave herself with her body to God in response to His promise, so we are in the same situation in [a certain sense] that we have these great and thrilling promises we have been considering, and we are neither to think of ourselves as totally passive, as though we had no part in this; nor are we to think we can do it ourselves."

"If we are to bring forth this fruit through us by the agency of the Holy Spirit, there must be a constant act of faith, of thinking: 'Upon the basis of Your promises I am looking for You to fulfill them... bring forth Your fruit through me into this poor world.'"

"We do not have to beat ourselves or be dejected, [but simply say]"Be it unto me according to Thy Word." This is what I mean by active passivity. This is the how, and there is no other."

Finally, as if to say "this is really how it's done!" Schaeffer reemphasizes that this is not just theoretical access to the power of the crucified, risen, glorified Christ. This is access that we have in reality—in the here and now.

Intersecting Faith & Life: 
Are you depending on your own energy, cleverness, persistence, charisma and talents to present the Christian life as attractive to your lost friends and family members? By faith (Hebrews 11:6), gaze upon Christ—His atonement, perfections and promises. Respond with active passivity: "Be it unto me according to Thy Word." 

For Further Study:
Romans 6-8
The Wind of the Holy Ghost Blowing upon the Dry Bones in the Valley of Vision, by Ebenezer Erskine
John Owen on the Spirit in the Life of Christ, Dr. Sinclair Ferguson

[Judy Harder]

The Duty of Living in the Reality of the Supernatural
Alex Crain
Editor, Christianity.com

"...without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6 ESV

"Doctrine is important," writes Francis Schaeffer in chapter five of his book True Spirituality, "but it is not an end in itself. There is to be an experiential reality, moment by moment... in the power of the crucified and risen Christ, through the agency of the indwelling Holy Spirit, by faith."

Yes, yes, yes... we nod our heads, agreeing with such a fine statement of what ought to be the daily experience of one who follows Christ. But is that our experience? Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that little by little, the reality of the supernatural is all too easily lost in our generation?

What seems to elude most Christians is a daily experience of living in the reality of the supernatural. We can polish and refine our doctrinal statements and discuss the finer points of what's going on in the world and how to fix our institutions and churches until the cows come home. But what often gets crowded out of the picture is the simple reality of God.  When that happens, the world squeezes us into its way of thinking. To quote Schaeffer on this...

"Our generation is overwhelmingly naturalistic [i.e. meaning everything is the result of natural causes in a closed system]. If we are not careful, even though we say we are Biblical Christians and supernaturalists, the naturalism of our generation tends to come in upon us."

Schaeffer compares this creeping in of the world's naturalistic mindset to barnacles that grow on the bottom of ships, creating drag on vessels that were meant to efficiently cut through the water. So, as an antidote, he points us to classic Scriptures that teach the nearness of the supernatural all around us.

For example, Luke's passage on the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:31) says that their eyes were opened and they realized it was Jesus, then He ceased to be seen by them. Paraphrasing Schaeffer: "It wasn't that Christ was no longer there, but that they simply did not see Him any longer. John 20:19 and 26 gives the same emphasis."

Another classic text that Schaeffer takes us to is 2 Kings 6:16-17 where Elisha is surrounded by an enemy, and the young man standing with him is overcome with fear. "Elisha prayed and said, 'O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.' So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

"The supernatural was not something far off; it was there. All the young man needed was to have his eyes opened to see it. As soon as we remove the supernaturalness of the universe, all we have left is Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, in which religion is viewed simply as a sociological tool... a mere psychological mechanism."

Schaeffer rightly notes that this is precisely where the battle rages today. The naturalists are determined to get rid of the supernatural, to argue against it, that it is not there. Therefore...

"...we have thrust upon us the high calling and the duty to live in light of the existence of the two parts of the universe, the seen and the unseen parts, in the realization that the "heavenlies" are not far off. They are about us here."

Losing the reality of the supernatural is no small, insignificant detail. It is not an optional feature of true spirituality. When it is absent from our experience, all we are left with is a dead sociological tool; a mere psychological mechanism for manipulating ourselves and other people. As the Apostle Paul said, "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:19)

Intersecting Faith & Life: 
Are there any barnacles of naturalism built up on the hull of your "ship" lately? Ask God for renewed eyes of faith as you dig deeper into these Scriptures... 

For Further Study:
Luke 24
2 Kings 6:16-17
1 Corinthians 15