Kingdom Values (4)
I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments. Psalm 119.59, 60
New values, new light
Participating actively in the divine economy will shed new light on our lives in many ways. We will begin to see things, in our lives and in the world, that are not consistent with the presence and progress of the Kingdom of God: That (situation, condition, action, attitude) doesn’t look like righteousness, feel like grace, or lead to peace. Distractions and diversions will obscure God’s calling and deter or threaten to derail our Kingdom-seeking efforts; and transgressions and lack of diligence will find us straying from God’s path at times. If we don’t overcome these, we’ll end up frustrated and perhaps even abandoning the Kingdom values we’re trying to embrace.
The Christian life is always a work in progress. What Paul described as a “law of sin” continues to operate in our soul, so that our mind, heart, and conscience still bear some of the marks and tendencies of a more self-centered than God-centered agenda; and our words and deeds, as a result, will at times fall short of glorifying God in Kingdom ways (Rom. 7.15-25).
Thus, we need to put in place yet another Kingdom value, so that, when we recognize these distractions and potential deterrents or failings, we won’t back down before them, but we’ll take them on and overcome them and continue making progress in seeking the Kingdom to which God is calling us (Rom. 12.21).
And that value we may refer to as renewal.
A work of God
The work of renewing our souls and lives is God’s work. Our role is to agree that we will always have need of renewal, to be alert to when renewal is called for, and to seek it by the Lord’s prescribed means.
Renewing our souls and lives in the Lord is a process that involves three steps. As we, by faith, take each of these, the Spirit meets us with the Kingdom power we need to keep moving forward (1 Cor. 4.20; Phil. 2.12, 13).
First, we must be clear about what needs to be renewed. Whether it’s a thought we continue to indulge, some affection that’s out of whack, or particular words or deeds that are not in line with the righteousness, peace, and joy of God’s Kingdom, we need to face up to our shortcomings and name them for what they are. This is the work of confession—agreeing with the Spirit that we have turned away from the Lord in whatever area He indicates.
By settling the value of renewal in our conscience, we’ll be ready to redirect our thoughts and affections so that, whenever the Spirit of God convicts us of some sin or shortcoming in our lives, our immediate response is going to be not to excuse or defend ourselves, but to confess our transgression, and thereby begin the process of turning back to the Lord.
Then, second, we will seek the Lord’s counsel for whatever next step will enable us to resume our journey of seeking the Kingdom to which God is calling us. This begins the work of repentance. The same Spirit Who convinces us that we are in sin also directs us in the way of righteousness (Jn. 16.8-11) and empowers us for obedience (Phil. 2.12, 13).
Let’s say we become aware, under the leading of the Spirit, that we’ve been harboring a bad attitude toward a co-worker. We resent him for whatever reason. We speak uncharitably about him behind his back, and secretly wish he’d get fired. Whenever we think about this person we scowl and get angry or depressed.
And then in His way and time, the Spirit reveals this sin, thus engaging our soul for renewal.
So what do we do now? We look to the Spirit, waiting on Him in prayer, to lead us back onto the path of righteousness, which He will do one step at a time (Ps. 139.23, 24). Perhaps the next step, after confessing this sin, will be, whenever you think of this person, rather than scowling and getting angry, to offer a brief word of thanksgiving to the Lord for him. Think about whatever is that person’s positive contribution to the workplace, and then dwell with thanksgiving on that, remembering that we are all made in the image of God. Take up just that much of a next step, and when you need the next one, to replace those negative thoughts with ones more like the way you’d like others to think about you, the Spirit will be there to lead you.
Finally, you must act. This is the work of penance. Inward transformation must come to expression in outward actions—words and deeds. When renewal is established as a value in your conscience, you’ll want to bring renewal to full fruition through active obedience. Look for opportunities to show the love of Christ to this unlovable colleague, and when those opportunities arise, make the most of them (Eph. 5.15-17). If you have said anything unkind or hurtful to him, seek his forgiveness.
A lifestyle of renewal
What applies to us as individuals also applies to our churches. Churches need renewal whenever the Spirit indicates that they have left the path of the Lord, whether in worship, disciple-making, or mission. The same process of confession, repentance, and penance applies for bringing renewal to a congregation as to an individual.
Having renewal—the need for it and a readiness to enter into it—as a value in our soul will help to ensure continuing growth in the Lord. The more sensitive we become to the Spirit’s leading, and the more diligent we are at practicing the steps of renewal, the more renewal will work out in every area of our lives. We will grow in our Kingdom calling and realize more consistency in Kingdom-seeking as we take up the work of renewal every day, in every area of our lives, every time the Spirit leads and guides.
For reflection
1. What are the signs that renewal is needed in your life?
2. How would you explain confession, repentance, and penance to a new believer? Why is each necessary?
3. How might a local church know when renewal is needed, and what should it do then?
Next steps—Conversation: How can believers help one another take up the work of renewal more consistently? Talk with a Christian friend about this question.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: Our Read Moore podcast invites you to bring Joy to Your World!. In our Scriptorium series, we begin a new study, Matthew: The Coming Kingdom. And our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a brief series on the early 6th-century Irish saint, Coemgen. Check out our other excellent writers. 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. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
