Righteousness and Freedom

Recently my thoughts focused on the concept of hunger and thirst for righteousness. Our Lord declares that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be satisfied. Such a hunger and thirst seems to mandate a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to take us on an inward journey that we might discover the attitudes and desires which fertilize our thoughts and actions with unrighteousness. Such an inward look is necessary, but it is difficult—difficult because we fear the discovery of sinful attitudes, strongholds, or experiences which shatter our self-concept or the images we project to others. Often we avoid such a journey because of deep hurts, disappointments, or failures that we have managed to bury without knowing deliverance from them.  An inward look is difficult but necessary.

In Romans 6:15-23 the apostle Paul reveals his understanding of the tyranny of unresolved sin in the inner person. He clearly states that choices we make will determine either our freedom in the Lord or enslavement to selfish, shallow desires. In Romans 7 Paul takes the inward journey and acknowledges that he recognizes sin in his members. It is a difficult but blessed journey because Paul did not remain in the frustration of chapter 7. The inward journey is just that—an inward journey. The inward journey intends to take us beyond ourselves into the very heart and love of God. Thus, Paul can say in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He goes on in Romans 8:11 and in verses 28-39 to describe the steadfastness of our Lord’s love for us, which fills us with hope and security.  

Therefore, as we dare to allow hunger and thirst to call us to an inward journey, the following wonderful things occur:  we find freedom from the tyranny of sin; we are filled with the steadfast love of God as we move beyond ourselves; we are enabled to love ourselves and others; we are enabled to fulfill the two great commandments—to the love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, strength and soul, and to love others as ourselves—upon which all the law and the prophets hang.

“Those who abide in Me will produce much fruit,” our Lord declares.

Piety—A Real Consequence of Abiding

It has been sometime since I offered an entry to my blog, for many reasons. Life has been very busy with moving, a daughter’s wedding, and other life considerations. The greatest reason however is due to what our Lord has been speaking into my life concerning faith and authentic Christian piety.

 

Once in my early experience I would hear the word piety used to negatively describe one person or the other.  It gave me the impression that piety was a term of derision for those who were overly spiritual.  I however have come to understand piety as a virtuous quality that has been lost in much of western Christianity.  It is true that a false piety feigned or projected in a rather nauseous manner seems to be an expression of self-righteousness or spiritual superiority, but this false projection or image does not negate true piety. 

True piety is the essential quality of Christian growth, and in my mind it results from an authentic poverty of spirit, a mourning of one’s sinfulness, an attitude of meekness, a spirit of mercy and a hunger for righteousness, all of which give rise to a pure heart. In brief, it is what sanctification is all about—to be conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of the Father. 

True piety is the result of an abiding relationship with our Lord that calls us to an inward cleansing and renewal. Such a renewal draws us deep into God’s love and nature, and thus creates a supreme love for Him and generates loving acceptance and ministry to others. In addition to saturating life in love, true piety results in a peace and joy, which only our Heavenly Father can bestow through the Holy Spirit.  It is a life of fruitfulness for the Kingdom of God.

John 17:19|ESV

And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Once again, let us abide.