New Creation...

I have been mulling over 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 this week. Well actually I am speaking on it tomorrow night at InterVarsity's Large Group.

So the first verse says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come!" This was the first verse I committed to memory, using the Navigators Topical Memory System. And in that day, in my newness in Christ it meant so much! I could leave behind all of the junk of my life. I could be made NEW, a new creation as it were.

Those things that got me down could now be turned over to God - He was the one re-making me! So anger, fear, envy, jealousy, lust, pride - all of those old things that controlled me could be GONE. my life would be marked by the Newness that was part of God's kingdom! I would be a man of love, a man of prayer, a man of the Bible. I would preach the Gospel at all times and use words only when necessary. I would pet dogs, hold kittens (well maybe not that), help old ladies across the street, feed the hungry, care for the infirmed and on and on.

I was really looking forward to this new life. Now 36 years later, How am I doing? Oh yes, He has made me a new creation! There is nothing of old Marty (or was it Martin, back then) left. I think differently. I act differently. I am different. I am a child of the King. I know it everyday. There is nothing like it! And even if I were not "paid to be good", I would still be marked by Him, His grace, His love.

But I still carry around those old sins, those OLD traits that used to drag me down before He made me new. How can that be? I am still self-centered, still envious, still angry - like yesterday when my computer got a virus that crippled the OS! ##@$%%@@**)(##!

Well no easy answers on this one - but perhaps... Is this the way He knows that I will continue to be dependent on Him. If he completely made me NEW, I would be perfect or close to it and not have a need to come to Him regularly. But if I remain a NEW CREATION in a flawed state in order to continue to be made new I will have to continue to come to Him and rest In Him!

what is this tendancy to be Hush-Hush when someone becomes a Christian

Yes I don't get it!

It seems to me that one of the greatest celebrations that can be had is the entry of someone into the kingdom of God. Especially since for many of us - the subject has been the object of prayer for weeks, months, or even years. For some reason, it seems like we do not express this miracle very well.

We make it seem like it is no big deal - "Thanks for joining." or "You'll have to come back next week." In reality, it seems like this event is one that has all the angels in heaven rejoicing! Can you imagine that All of the angels in heaven rejoice (have a huge party) when just one sinner repents and enters into the Kingdom of God!.

I have even had some students tell me: There is a guy in 'Dupont' that has accepted Christ. I'll say: "That is great! Let's go talk to him and welcome him!" And their reply will be - "Well let's just wait until he tells you - we don't want him to feel awkward."

Awkward, are you kidding! This is the greatest moment of his life! 100 times more significant than his acceptance to W&M.

Let us make a commitment this year - When we hear about someone making a personal commitment to Christ or a return to acceptance of the Christian Faith that we honor him or her with a personal visit or conversation. We introduce him to our friends, our small group leaders, our IV staff, our pastors, and anyone else who would help us throw a party for this lost one who is now found.

This is Ministry!

I attended a Leadership conference recently - the Summit sponsored by Willow Creek Community Church and Bill Hybels. There was so much good stuff offered by the speakers, interviews and extra resources. I loved it and learned so much.

There was one talk by Hybels where he was giving us his AXIOMS (a new book he has published). You know AXIOMS; they are those pithy statements that communicate profound things in a few words.

One AXIOM was "This is Church!" And what it communicates around Willow is that when something is hard or shows a dose of reality - they will say "Well, this is Church." It has nothing to do with the meeting or the program or the building or the things that run right, but it has everything to do with going through the tunnel of chaos with those we rub shoulders with everyday. For instance, when there is a man in the church who serves faithfully, gives generously, provides for his family, is always available for whatever will benefit the fellowship goes through the tunnel of chaos (or as Dick Woodward says: "Going through the Wringer."). Perhaps he gets a bad report from the Doc, or loses his job, or some financial issue - and the people around the church meet him where he is at and bring to him the Grace of God. Hybels' folk say - "Well, this is Church." This communicates that life is hard, and often unexplainable, but when the people of God come around the needs of hurting people. - well, this is church! Does that make sense?

So I am starting to do some of this applying myself. I have seen and talked to a lot of people this summer: friends, family, InterVarsity staff, WM alumni, missionaries, new acquaintances, etc. There are a lot of people going through the wringer! There is a lot of hurt out there. And while this idea of CHURCH applies in the general sense - much of what I do is more itinerant, or independent - rather when I visit with someone, I don't necessarily represent a particular church. I am a pastor, but not of a particular congregation - I am a floater, as it were! So if I started saying "This is Church" people would ask me, "Where?" So I think a parallel that would work for me is "Well, this is ministry." As I walk through the Tunnel of Chaos with people I want to be able to look up to the Lord and say: "Well, this is ministry. Well, this is what the ministry is all about! Well, this is what you've called me to do."