State of the Church: The Celtic Revival (4)
A Christian not middling but perfect, a priest not worthless but outstanding, a martyr not lazy but pre-eminent, says: “It is now that I am beginning to be a disciple of Christ.” As for you, like that Lucifer who was cast out of heaven, you thrive on verbiage, not power.
– Gildas, The Ruin of Britain
Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
– 1 Corinthians 4.18-20
A godly example
Gildas used a lengthy section to put before his readers the faithful shepherds of the Old and New Testament. Then he turned to honor church leaders from beyond the New Testament, especially Ignatius, the early second-century shepherd of the churches in Antioch.
On his way to being martyred in Rome—where he was subsequently torn apart by lions—Ignatius took care to look after the churches which had been planted by Paul and nurtured in the faith by the Church in Antioch. Ignatius knew these churches would be shaken by his being marched to Rome, and he wanted to put them at ease. The comfort, counsel, and encouragement of the letters he wrote to these churches show the heart of a true shepherd. In one letter, having urged the churches not to weep for him, he wrote concerning his ensuing martyrdom, “It is now that I am beginning to be a disciple of Christ.”
Gildas used Ignatius’ example to expose the middling, worthless, lazy ministries of the priests of Britain and to recall them to a ministry, not merely of words, but of the power of the Word of God to make all things new.
Not word, but power
Many have pointed out that, in our day, Christianity seems to be a kind of mental buffer against the world, a buffer that requires for its maintenance merely agreeing to and affirming the words of Scripture, especially as they are preached, taught, and read. A true Christian need only say a hearty “Amen!” to the Word of God to fulfill all that is required.
But, as Gildas pointed out, such a view of the Christian life—which characterized, in many ways, the pastors and people of Britain in his day—is strictly of the devil. They had convinced the people that, as long as they “believed” the words they heard in the churches, they were doing all that was required. Gildas insisted that this way is the path to hell.
Christians are called to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3.18). We can’t do this on our own. We need a power from beyond to make us the kind of people who are perfect, outstanding, active witnesses for Jesus. That transforming power comes by the Holy Spirit working with the Word of God in our lives (2 Cor. 3.12-18). The Word of God has all the power we need to “begin to be a disciple of Christ”. But not if we only assent to the words without steeping in the Spirit.
We are a royal priesthood, called to worship God and bring others with us before His majesty and glory. We seek daily excellence in everything we do, for the sake of our lived and spoken witness for Jesus. We long for perfection, though it shall never be attained it in this life. We strive to stand out in our faith by living as salt, light, and leaven in our world. And we would be energetic and consistent in bearing witness to Jesus in everything we do.
Then we can say that it is now that we are beginning to be disciples of Christ, because we see His living and active Word at work in and through us (Heb. 4.16), teaching and admonishing and correcting and equipping us for every good work, and not merely as an intellectual obligation (2 Tim. 3.15-17).
The Kingdom of God is not just something to talk about or wait for at some later day. It is power. Power that comes from the Word and Spirit of God. Power to transform us into the image of Jesus and to make all things new in our sad and broken world. Power to turn this world rightside-up for Jesus, one Personal Mission Field at a time.
Let us not be found like those priests and believers of whom Gildas wrote, content only with the words of Scripture. Let us daily lean into the power of God’s Word and hoist the sails of our soul into its steady power, that He may do in and through us the good works that glorify Him day by day.
For Reflection
1. What does it mean to be “steeping in the Spirit”?
2. What are the opposites of middling, worthless, and lazy?
Psalm 119.81-83
(Ripley: Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah, O My Soul)
My soul faints for Your salvation, and my hope is in Your Word!
I have searched Your Word with patience seeking comfort from You, LORD.
Like a wineskin, LORD, You test me; I am withered with despair!
Let Your statutes my sweet rest be as I call on You in prayer.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Church” we consider what the Church is and why we need it. Our Read Moore podcast continues through our book, If Men Will Pray. The focus of our Scriptorium daily study is on “Matthew: The Coming of the Kingdom.” Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
