And you...he has now reconciled in his body...to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him...

  - Colossians 1.21, 22

...therefore every perfected virtue which is inseparably fixed in the mind is truly and properly called a condition.

  - Eriugena, Periphyseon, Irish, 9th century

Theologians talk about our relationship to Christ in terms of position and condition.

Position relates to our standing in Christ, in the grace of the Lord and the hope of glory (Rom. 5.1, 2). Our position in Christ is that we possess and are heirs to eternal salvation. Our position in Christ cannot be improved; we are forgiven, renewed, sanctified, and bound for glory.

Our condition relates to the temporal state of our salvation. In the New Testament, some believers were regarded as “babes” in Christ, while others were more “mature.” Our condition can, and must, improve, as we apply ourselves to growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3.18).

Hopefully, we are working to improve our condition day by day, through the disciplines and means God graciously provides.

This is a lifelong process, and we must never grow weary of the struggle. We are reconciled to God, and we are being reconciled in holiness and blamelessness, so that we may not be a reproach to God.

Moving toward holiness is a matter of commitments and practices which enable us to make progress, in the power of God’s Spirit, in becoming more like Jesus Christ. Persistence in these disciplines and practices brings virtue into our souls – more of the mind of Christ, more of the heart of God’s Spirit, and more of the will of the Lord, as revealed in His Word. The more such virtue becomes “perfected” in us, the more our condition improves in the direction of our position in Christ.

For example, consider how we use our tongues. Appropriate practices for our tongues are spelled out in Scripture: speak with grace, for edification, avoiding all vulgar talk, and striving to spread the peace of Christ. When we become convicted of the truth of these practices, and make a commitment to actually practicing them, we move toward actually doing so before the Lord in prayer, seeking His help to be able to carry them out.

Then, still in prayer, we consider (plan) how we will carry out these practices during the day ahead, trusting the Lord in each situation, as we by faith obey Him in the use of our tongues, to meet us with the power to carry the gesture off.

The more we do this, the more virtuous speech becomes a facet of our character, and the more our condition improves in the direction of our position. This is working out your salvation in fear and trembling, God working in you to will and do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2.12, 13).

This is what it means to move toward holiness.

But it’s a daily task. Including today.

What commitments and practices will you take up today in order to bring your condition more into line with your position in Christ?

Psalm 84.5-7 (Holy Manna: “Brethren, We Have Met for Worship”)
Blessed are they whose strength is founded in Your strength, O Lord above.
All whose hearts in You are grounded journey in Your strength and love.
Though we weep with tears of sadness, grace shall all our way sustain.
In Your presence, filled with gladness, we shall conquer all our pain.

Teach me, Lord, how I may make real, albeit small, steps toward holiness in all my ways.

This Week at The Fellowship
This week’s question about the Law of God:  What did Jesus teach about the Law of God? You might be surprised.  If you have not yet worked through your Personal Mission Field – mapping and beginning to work it – may I encourage you to visit the website (or click this link) and download the worksheet to get you started in the life of being sent as Jesus was sent. Later this month will be introducing a packet of resources to help you in working your Personal Mission Field. For now, the place to begin is in mapping yours out and starting to pray. Your gifts and prayers to support this ministry are always appreciated. You can use the donate button here or at the website, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

T. M. Moore, Principal

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