Therefore leaving the
elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying
again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of
instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the
dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits. For in the case
of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and
have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of
God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is
impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to
themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame
(Hebrews 6:1-6).
For whom did Jesus die? For first-century Jewish people in their society? For
gentiles then also? For those who lived for the next 2000 years world-wide? For
us now? For people in Fort Smith not in Christ? For those in our world who are
not in Christ?
Ask the same questions from another perspective. Is Jesus a “world Savior” or an
“us” Savior? Does he prefer my background and concepts? Since he was never
American, never ate hamburgers and fries, never spoke or read English, never
went to college, does he prefer another background? Does he have any background
preference?
Hopefully, if we took a thin slice of the “midsection” of a congregation and
placed it under a microscope to determine make-up and needs, we would find
visitor needs, new convert needs, young Christian needs, growing Christian
needs, and mature Christian needs. Hopefully, we would find a diversity of
people with a diversity of backgrounds. Hopefully, we would find numerous people
being stretched spiritually to meet a complex situation, and people in Christ
using an understanding of God to meet that challenge. These Jesus-led,
God-directed people of faith have the courage to walk righteously.
A practical question: What is the newly baptized person learning from me? How to
“safely” gossip? How to be bitter and hold grudges? How to “get my way”
correctly? How to exploit people? How to “be political” in the church? Generally
speaking, how to “play the religious game” to achieve “my interests?”
Or, how to serve? How to sacrifice? How to encourage? How to be godly even if
wronged? How to be committed to a Savior’s values? How to be God’s light in an
evil world? How to trust in God in hard times? How to endure injustice (which
God and Jesus did in Jesus’ cross) and yet remain spiritually true to God’s
character?
Or am I a confusing mixture of both?
Nothing is more powerful than a godly example. Effectiveness in helping others
spiritually depends on people holding themselves to a high level of
accountability that exists because of a love commitment to God. It exists
voluntarily, not by force. Mature congregations are filled with individuals who
dare to be Christ-like examples. Spirituality is not a veneer finish only
surface deep—it is intentional godliness!
Link to other
Writings of David Chadwell
