i just changed the subtitle above, and i meant to say "insights" not "incites." But ya know? i kinda like it better that way! And for now i'm going to keep it!
violent life
Most Christians hold a pro-life stance. And when Jesus talks about life we have to, we must understand what He implies by life. It is not simply being born.
In John 10:10 (ESV) Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." I looked up the Greek for the word "abundantly" here are three of the meanings that were expected: superabundant, superior, and excessive. These alone should force us to look in the mirror. "Does my life with Christ look like i have life and life superabundantly?" "Excessively?" "A life superior to others?"
It gets better, or worse depending on your view. The Greek also means "violently."
Does the life of the Holy Spirit have such great influence in you that your love tackles others? What about joy that strangles others? Can you shoot someone right in the chest... with hope? How about a swift kick to the... the face with compassion? The question is simple. Does life come out of you violently?
You see, the reason why so many people do not affirm the choice of life is because we do not, as Christians, give them a reason to. Our lives look just like theirs in so many ways.
"Among young outsiders, 84 percent say they personally know at least one committed Christian. Yet just 15 percent thought the lifestyles of those Christ followers were significantly different from the norm. This gap speaks volumes." (p.48, unChristian, Kinnaman)
We accept the life of Christ, and are impregnated by His Spirit. But before the life of His Spirit matures in us, changing us from the inside-out, we cut Him off. We choose to abort His life in us! (i must admit, i originally read this in a Rick Joyner writing but can not find it to properly credit him.)
So if you are a Christian, and you are pro-life, do not sneer at people who have a pro-choice stance or have had an abortion. Poke them in the eye with compassion, trip them up with comfort, and assault them (peaceably, of course) with a hope that there is reason well beyond birthing a child that you are "pro-life."
Be pro-life by constantly pursuing a life that violently comes forth from you.
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ReplyDeleteWell said Phil.. Life is like a leagecy. We need to ask ourself.. Am I bringing life into every situation. Live your life so that others see Jesus and want that too.
ReplyDeleteReading the last paragraph reminds me of Monty Python's Spanish Inquisition: Let's torture him with the comfy chair, pillows, and feathers.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, bro! I can't wait to give you a swift kick to the... face with compassion. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments guys! I look forward to the comfy chair and the kick to the... face!
ReplyDeleteIt is as Saint Ineaus (spelling is atrocious, I know) said, "The true glory of God is a man fully alive!"
ReplyDeleteWow Phil, I really needed to read this just now and be convicted by it- I liked your question "Does my life have that overabundance?" and the answer is often "No" because I abort the Spirit instead of carrying it to maturity with eagerness. Thanks for your desire to share what the Spirit reveals to you to the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of "one's love tackling others".
ReplyDeleteDEJ
I like both parts I and II ... well said.
ReplyDelete