Almost universally we see faith as a private matter, but if this private matter is transformative in nature there will always be a public result.
This is expressed in the purposely ridiculous lyrics I used in a sermon a few weeks ago from Steve Taylor…
“I’m devout, I’m sincere and I’m proud to say
That its had exactly no effect on who I am today.”
We hear these types of statements all the time in political moments, “Keep my personal life out of it” or “my personal beliefs don’t shape my policies or my actions don’t define me.”
Well, they do. The sum total of my actions is my character. and the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior… except when…
We become participants with God on this journey of Spiritual Formation. If I learn how to love the way Jesus loved, there will be public witness to that effect. If I learn to serve the way Jesus served, there will be a change that people will witness.
Which leads to the potential question of “why” it’s happening. Is it happening because Christ has become my focus and I’m learning to live His way? Or is it happening as a result of my just trying a little harder to make sure the externals have better optics. The first one is sustainable and bound for continued improvement all my days. The later is a white knuckle ride of highs and lows where it works sometimes and fails at others.
There’s no doubt that all of this can be a bumpy ride and I wish it was always a steady trajectory towards godliness. But this formation in our hearts, rooted in His love and the power of the Holy Spirit will change who we are. As Isaiah says “We shall become oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”
Truth, Grace, and Time 