Renovation of the Heart
Radical Evil in the Ruined Soul (2|4)
Pages 45-49
• The Prophetic Witness
• Paul’s Summary
• True Understanding
• Not-God
TOGETHER read the devotional and the scripture.
INDIVIDUALLY take notes in your journal on what stands out.
Luke 11:37-44 (NIV) When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”
John 5:43-44 (NIV) I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
TOGETHER pray for one another.
INDIVIDUALLY answer the questions in your journal - process your devotional notes and pray.
The Prophetic Witness
”When the prophet Jeremiah said, (Jeremiah 17:9 NIV) ‘The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?’ we have to recognize from our hearts that we are the ones spoken of, that indeed, I am the one described. Only then is a foundation laid for spiritual formation into Christlikeness. - The initial move toward Christlikeness cannot be toward self-esteem, because of confusion about what self-esteem means, and because realistically, I’m not okay and you’re not okay.”
In helping people to find Christ and follow through with spiritual formation in Him, can we start with self-esteem? Why or why not? Is there a grain of truth in the self-esteem approach to life? If so, what is it?
Paul’s Summary
Proverbs 9:10 NIV The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. “One begins to get smart when he or she fears being crosswise of God: fear of not doing what he wants and not being as He requires.”
What are the key differences between fearing God and being afraid of God? The Bible has the phrase “Do not be afraid” 365 times (once for every day of the year). Why is there a connection between fear of the Lord and wisdom?
True Understanding
“‘Knowledge’ in biblical language never refuses to what we today call ‘head knowledge,’ but always to experimental involvement with what is known - to actual engagement with it. Thus when Jesus defined the eternal life that he gives to his people as (John 17:3 NIV) Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent he was speaking of the grace constant, close interaction with the Trinitarian being of God that Jesus brings into the lives of those who seek and find him.”
What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree?
Not-God
“If God is running the universe and has first claim on our lives, guess who isn’t running the universe and does not get to have things as they please?”
What is your response to this statement? Does it challenge? provoke? sting? encourage?
EXTRA READING:
An Irish prince who chose the monastic life, Columba left Ireland in 563 and settled in Iona in Scotland. He was a large man with a big, resonant singing voice. He was also an excellent scribe and illuminator of manuscripts. He had a missionary zeal and great prophetic insight. His faithfulness to the Celtic tradition fueled the spread of vital Christianity through Britain and beyond as he planted monastic communities to be hubs of prayer and mission, modeling a radical life of discipleship.
“Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.”
- Columba of Iona (521 - 597)