“Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life through your word.” –Ps. 119: 37
We all do it. We seek life from things that ultimately do not satisfy and cannot sustain. We allow our problems, desires, feelings and unmet needs to ruse and redirect us; shifting our reliance to the created instead of the Creator.
In a “quick fix” effort to find joy, peace, comfort, wholeness, happiness, etc., we literally put people and things in control of our emotional support and stability. But these things are not meant to meet the needs we’ve been tasking them with; and especially to the extent we’ve been tasking them. And although dysfunctional by God’s standards, it’s working for us in some aspects; so we maintain the status quo.
Here’s how it might play out in the everyday:
These “real world” responses may seem totally normal and appropriate to the situation. But remember, we’re not “world” people; we’re “Cross” people. In turning to people or things first, more than, or instead of God, they’ve become our functional god.
Functional faith is a concept well demonstrated throughout the bible. Contrary to popular belief, faith is not just what we believe or say. What we actually live out, regardless of circumstances, is both exposure and evidence of what we truly believe about God (Heb. 11; 2 Cor. 5:7; 1 Cor. 2:5; Jam. 2:14, 17, 24).
By default, stepping out of alignment with God always leaves us imbalanced and vulnerable. And naturally opens us up to all kinds of deception, disorder and disease. Throughout scripture it’s evident that there are tangible reasons for God’s ways of operating-even if we don’t readily see, know, agree with or understand them!
In a “quick fix” effort to find joy, peace, comfort, wholeness, happiness, etc., we literally put people and things in control of our emotional support and stability. But these things are not meant to meet the needs we’ve been tasking them with; and especially to the extent we’ve been tasking them. And although dysfunctional by God’s standards, it’s working for us in some aspects; so we maintain the status quo.
Here’s how it might play out in the everyday:
- When I feel overwhelmed or exhausted, I just sort of ‘check out’ while watching TV and/or surfing the web.
- When I’m down, shopping lifts my spirits.
- When I’m lonely or bored, social media takes my mind off things.
- After a bad day, meeting up with a friend makes the rest of the week feel more manageable.
- When I have a crisis or a challenging decision to make, my first response is to reach out to my friend, spouse, mentor, etc.
These “real world” responses may seem totally normal and appropriate to the situation. But remember, we’re not “world” people; we’re “Cross” people. In turning to people or things first, more than, or instead of God, they’ve become our functional god.
Functional faith is a concept well demonstrated throughout the bible. Contrary to popular belief, faith is not just what we believe or say. What we actually live out, regardless of circumstances, is both exposure and evidence of what we truly believe about God (Heb. 11; 2 Cor. 5:7; 1 Cor. 2:5; Jam. 2:14, 17, 24).
By default, stepping out of alignment with God always leaves us imbalanced and vulnerable. And naturally opens us up to all kinds of deception, disorder and disease. Throughout scripture it’s evident that there are tangible reasons for God’s ways of operating-even if we don’t readily see, know, agree with or understand them!
7 Truths About the Things We Run to:
1. May appear to help but are temporary and shallow in comparison.
2. Aim at avoiding and/or escaping our discomfort or pain.
3. Don’t build resilience or coping ability for future difficulties.
4. Are not intended or capable of providing what we truly need.
5. Don’t deepen our walk with God or fortify our faith.
6. Can negatively impact our relationships and roles.
7. Can easily progress to a foot hold, stronghold or pathway to sin.
1. May appear to help but are temporary and shallow in comparison.
2. Aim at avoiding and/or escaping our discomfort or pain.
3. Don’t build resilience or coping ability for future difficulties.
4. Are not intended or capable of providing what we truly need.
5. Don’t deepen our walk with God or fortify our faith.
6. Can negatively impact our relationships and roles.
7. Can easily progress to a foot hold, stronghold or pathway to sin.
We’re as sheep in an emerald field, and seeing what appears to be greener grass afar, we wander away from the safety of the Sheppard. The very opportunity the enemy looks for and seeks to take advantage of. No matter how “green” the grass looks over “there,” it is always counterfeit and ultimately lures us away from God and his plan, timing and provisions.
In Galatians 5, we see what life looks like when we live (and don’t live) Spirit directed lives: …the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
If we are not fully experiencing these qualities in any area, we can conclude that we have not completely submitted it to God. He cannot abundantly provide in areas we half commit, much less areas that are totally uncommitted, to him; evidenced by us running to other things first, more than or instead of him. And while he may press us through our experiences, he will not force us.
True transformation requires us to proactively submit to him in 3 key ways: perspective, process and provision:
In all things we are witnesses for Christ. We have the choice to treat everything we go through as a purposeful opportunity to draw closer to God, live out his principles, and impact others. And the extent to which we yield to his perspective, process and provision is the extent to which he can transform us. The more we decrease, the more he can shine through.
A powerful dynamic of this truly functional faith in Christ is that our emotional control becomes more and more spirit led and internally based (Gal. 5:16, 22-25; Phil 2:13), established on who Jesus is, what he says, and what he lived out for us. So we’re less and less flesh driven and externally based-constantly controlled by our circumstances, emotions, people and things (Gal. 5:17-21).
So in our everyday life we’re less and less imprisoned by our feelings and desires to flee to other things, freeze, fight, or fall apart. Our responses stop being reactive-propelled by and held captive to every whim of our emotions, things going well, the motive to blame and change others, or people treating us right (what a rollercoaster?!). Instead the Spirit dictates our responses, so no matter what we’re up against we can respond like Jesus!
Imagine the overwhelming, abundant freedom here! And how this would revolutionize us, all our interactions, relationships and roles! And even transform the lives of those around us as a result of us just living out Christ centered, Christ constructed lives.
THE FREEING TRUTH
Whatever you need, whatever you are searching for in other things is found in him, first and foremost. You won’t find it in anyone or anything else because nothing else has the power to support, stabilize and sustain life like he does. Everything else is supplemental and secondary. He truly is our “life support.”
THE TAKEAWAY
As “Cross” people, we have the power to respond differently, as modeled throughout the life of Jesus. BUT here’s the caveat: we have to humble ourselves, come to him in every situation and submit to his ways-especially when our flesh fights us and justifies things. We must push through! Whatever the circumstance, it can be a catalyst for Christ-like change, not only for us but others as well!
NEXT LEVEL LIVING!
After prayerful consideration:
THIRSTY FOR MORE?
Check out Tony Evan’s “The Risk of Faith 1 & 2.” All the messages in his Seeing is Believing and Heroes of Faith series are really powerful!
Find them here:
https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/the-alternative/listen/ or http://tonyevans.org/tony-evans-sermons/page/5/
Remember, we’re all about “next level living” here. So if this post seemed a bit tough, then good! It’s working to challenge you (and me too, as always)! And you should expect to be further challenged-now that you have this knowledge God wants you to use it. He knows you can handle it with his help!
If we are not fully experiencing these qualities in any area, we can conclude that we have not completely submitted it to God. He cannot abundantly provide in areas we half commit, much less areas that are totally uncommitted, to him; evidenced by us running to other things first, more than or instead of him. And while he may press us through our experiences, he will not force us.
True transformation requires us to proactively submit to him in 3 key ways: perspective, process and provision:
- Perspective. We proactively seek and submit to his perspective of our struggle, situation, ourselves and others, first and foremost.(Jn. 1:1-18; Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 12:1-3; 2 Cor. 3:16-18; Rom. 8:26; 1 Sam. 16:7; Pro. 16:2, 25; Jam. 1:16-18; Jer. 17:9-10; Is. 5:21 & 55:8; Matt. 6:33) His “lenses” (bible study, prayer, conviction of the Holy Spirit, and bible-based counsel or accountability) correct our very limited and grossly distorted “vision;” even when we think it’s at its best! Since he is Light – Goodness, Perfection, Justice and Truth – he is the only true source and standard for these things. We measure our view of everything to his and drop any belief, thought or action that doesn’t align. He is our first line of defense not our last ditch effort.
- Process. We approach the struggle with joy (*Yes, joy!!) and welcome the opportunity it provides for refinement. Jam. 1; *1 Pet. 4:12-19 & 5:10-11; Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; Pro. 27:21; Jn. 16:33; Job 36:15 & 23:10; Deut. 8; Matt. 7:24-27; 1 Cor. 10:12-13; **Phil. 1:29-30; Heb. 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 1:8-10; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; Phil. 4:11-13; 2 Cor. 12:9-10) He uses everything we encounter-our tests, trials, tragedies, triumphs, temptations and adversities-to display his power, mold us into Christ likeness in every way and area; and to help us love him and others his way. We cooperate with these greater purposes when things come our way and aim to see suffering for Christ as a **privilege. Through Christ, our greatest struggle has the potential to become our greatest strength and most powerful platform.
- Provision. True sustenance and heart-level change results from continual refocus on his perspective and active submission to his refinement process. We become a conduit through which Christ can impact others. (Gal. 5:16-25; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:12-5:20; Ps. 23; Jam. 2:14-26; Jn. 10:10 & 15:5; 2 Cor. 1:3-7; Jn. 13:34; Phil. 4:19; 1 Pet. 2:7-9; 2 Cor. 9:10-15; Phil. 1:6 & 2:1-5; Jn. 3:30) As we use the tools he’s given us to “course correct,” we’re able to tap into the ever-flowing, wellspring of the Holy Spirit’s transformational power and provisions. And as we grow in God, he works through us, compelling us to reach out to others in love. Helping as we’ve been helped; comforting as we’ve been comforted; teaching as we’ve been taught. It’s a ripple effect. Changed people, change people!
In all things we are witnesses for Christ. We have the choice to treat everything we go through as a purposeful opportunity to draw closer to God, live out his principles, and impact others. And the extent to which we yield to his perspective, process and provision is the extent to which he can transform us. The more we decrease, the more he can shine through.
A powerful dynamic of this truly functional faith in Christ is that our emotional control becomes more and more spirit led and internally based (Gal. 5:16, 22-25; Phil 2:13), established on who Jesus is, what he says, and what he lived out for us. So we’re less and less flesh driven and externally based-constantly controlled by our circumstances, emotions, people and things (Gal. 5:17-21).
So in our everyday life we’re less and less imprisoned by our feelings and desires to flee to other things, freeze, fight, or fall apart. Our responses stop being reactive-propelled by and held captive to every whim of our emotions, things going well, the motive to blame and change others, or people treating us right (what a rollercoaster?!). Instead the Spirit dictates our responses, so no matter what we’re up against we can respond like Jesus!
Imagine the overwhelming, abundant freedom here! And how this would revolutionize us, all our interactions, relationships and roles! And even transform the lives of those around us as a result of us just living out Christ centered, Christ constructed lives.
THE FREEING TRUTH
Whatever you need, whatever you are searching for in other things is found in him, first and foremost. You won’t find it in anyone or anything else because nothing else has the power to support, stabilize and sustain life like he does. Everything else is supplemental and secondary. He truly is our “life support.”
THE TAKEAWAY
As “Cross” people, we have the power to respond differently, as modeled throughout the life of Jesus. BUT here’s the caveat: we have to humble ourselves, come to him in every situation and submit to his ways-especially when our flesh fights us and justifies things. We must push through! Whatever the circumstance, it can be a catalyst for Christ-like change, not only for us but others as well!
NEXT LEVEL LIVING!
After prayerful consideration:
- What areas do you feel God calling you to rise to the next level in? What is he specifically asking you to do?
- In what key situations has he revealed that you’re relying on things and people first, more than or instead of Him? What keeps you “tethered” to them?
- According to scripture (Topical Bible Search), what would total victory in this area look like? What does this look like lived out in your personal situation(s)?
- What steps can you take to make going to Christ in these situations your new normal, default response? What safeguards can you put in place to make your old way of doing things as uncomfortable and inconvenient as possible (a VIP key to change!)?
- What possible obstacles do you need to consider in making these changes and what can you do to address each in advance? Who in your life can you partner with for Godly accountability and support with this next level change?
THIRSTY FOR MORE?
Check out Tony Evan’s “The Risk of Faith 1 & 2.” All the messages in his Seeing is Believing and Heroes of Faith series are really powerful!
Find them here:
https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/the-alternative/listen/ or http://tonyevans.org/tony-evans-sermons/page/5/
Remember, we’re all about “next level living” here. So if this post seemed a bit tough, then good! It’s working to challenge you (and me too, as always)! And you should expect to be further challenged-now that you have this knowledge God wants you to use it. He knows you can handle it with his help!
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