The Practice of Renunciation

In ancient Christianity there was recognized a Christian discipline called “The practice of renunciation.” It was an intentional fight against temptations that the things and possessions of this world inherently posed as a threat against the Christian faith.

          Amma Theodora expressed it this way: “Just as the trees, if they have not stood before the winter’s storms, cannot bear fruit, so it is with us; this present age is a storm and without many trials and temptations we cannot obtain an inheritance in the kingdom of heaven” [F. M. Young. (2007). Brokenness and Blessing: Towards a Biblical Spirituality. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing House; page 22].

          Standing up before the storm, in the form of trials and temptations—what a daily challenge! We prefer not to have to do that. But as Theodora so rightly points out, we know that facing the storm develops strength, fortitude and resiliency.

          The apostles James confirms this reality when he says, “ Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

          Not only is it hard to stand up before the storm, but James is so bold as to challenge us to do it with joy! Why is it this way? Notice the reason:

·        Testing of our faith produces perseverance

·        Perseverance finishes its work

·        So that we can be mature and complete

Our faith-walk in maturity and completeness demands facing trials and temptations! This is the reason for such joy. We have the ability to perceive the eventual outcome and the blessings of facing many different kinds of trials. James and Theodora nowhere indicate it has to feel good at the moment! But, the eventual outcome is so rich and so formative that we would desire no other way to live! In Christian love, Curtis

Joint-Heirs with Christ

Paul says: “The Spirit himself joins with our spirit to bear witness that we are children of God. And if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17).

When we start living according to this truth, our lives will be radically transformed. We will not only come to know the full freedom of the children of God but also the full rejection of the world. It is understandable that we hesitate to claim the honor so as to avoid the pain. But, provided we are willing to share in Christ’s suffering, we also will share in his glory (see Romans 8:17). http://henrinouwen.org/meditation/joint-heirs-christ/

            The above thoughts are provided by the Christian writer, Henri J. M. Nouwen. It brings to the forefront of our awareness who we really are. Our inheritance is our present possession now! That is why we are the richest people on the face of the earth.

            I  have no idea how the Spirit himself joins with our spirit to bear witness that we are indeed the children of God! But the awareness that this is happening daily is a gospel blessing that goes largely unrecognized in the Christian community. Think of how this helps us in our daily living as a Christian.

            When I feel like I have no inheritance, and there appear to be no blessings in sight because my daily life has become so chaotic, painful and desperate, I can go forward in the faith that the Spirit himself is still bearing witness as to who I am.

            This means that my external situations and frustrations and anxieties do not define my spiritual childhood with God, nor does it negate and take away my inheritance as a joint-heir with God and with Christ.

            Another astounding aspect of all this is, that in our own suffering we share in the suffering of Christ. The pain of life helps me appropriate the pain of Christ’s suffering which is mysteriously and divinely appropriated toward making me more like Him.

            Being a child of God, with Spirit’s testimony, and being a joint-heir with my inheritance being enjoyed now redemptively transforms the pain in my life. Being open to God’s providential working in the world, my commitment to a faith walk with God says that I will open up my pain for others to see the glory of God working through it all to transform me to be more and more like Christ.

            What a blessing to be a joint-heir! And, I wonder how those of us who are in Christian leadership roles understand our being a joint-heir with  Christ, and do we embody the joy of our inheritance for others to see?

In Christian love, Curtis