Spiritual Formation - Part 4 (Post 7)

Let's consider two more principles of spiritual formation today as we watch Jesus train Peter.
First, as you read, watch Peter ...

Mark 10: 17 - 31

Verse 24 tells us that the "disciples" were amazed at this conversation.  The Jewish mindset at the time believed that prosperity was a sign of God's blessings on an individual - so they were pleasing to God.  And yet Jesus had challenged this prosperous, young 'ruler' with the fact that he was not right with God.  O, he was a law-keeper, all right, but Jesus had looked into the heart of the man and seen an idol.  He had seen a love of money that took the place of God.  Therefore the challenge.  "Go - sell it all and come, follow me," Jesus said.  You see, "following" is the most important thing.  It takes precedence over everything else.

I suspect that realization is what may have led Judson W. VanVenter, in 1896, to pen these words:

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow;

Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me, Jesus, take me know.

I surrender all ...

VanVenter must have understood this principle of spiritual formation ...

"Following" Jesus takes precedence over EVERYTHING

I wonder how much you and I really understand this principle.  For those of us who have grown up in churches around the country, how many times have we sung those words in a service?  Have you (or I) ever sung them flippantly - perhaps liking the music or the harmony - but paying little attention to the commitment they promise?   

Jesus' response to the rich young man caused Peter to pause.  That response caused Peter to ask the Lord about himself.  Will you do that right now?  Will you ask Jesus to look deeply into your heart and see if anything is taking the place of following?  Ask Him - then decide if you will surrender it - or walk away "sorrowfully".

The final principle for spiritual formation that we will consider in this particular study around Peter if found in the following passage.  It's familiar to many of you, so slow down and read carefully, asking God to remove blinders.  And watch Peter ...

Read John 13: 1 - 17

What is the principle for spiritual formation that arises out of this scene?  It's not obscure!  It's overt.  It doesn't take any advanced theology degrees to get it!  Service to others matters.  What did Peter learn that day?

One must practice the spiritual discipline of service

And it is a discipline.  It is a choice.  It is a decision.  It is not an option.  It is not reserved for those who are particularly gifted at it - or find it easy to do.  Richard Foster offers a definition that I find helpful.  He defines the spiritual discipline of service as follows:

"Loving, thoughtful, active promotion of the good of others and the causes of God in our world, through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves."

Let's make some observations that flow out of this definition:

How is this service to be done?  Loving (that's the attitude we incorporate), thoughtful (as opposed to random - planned), active (intentional more than accidental), 

What is the goal of service?  promotion (we promote things we find to be important) of the good of others (it shows we care about what is for your 'good' - it is what Paul meant when he said in Philippians 2:4 "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.")  and the causes of God in our world (it shows that, to us, the character and the heart of God is most important for us to reflect to this broken, diseased world)

What is the benefit to the "doer" of the service?  through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves.  (It is the best way I know to literally practice Galatians 2:20  "I've been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.")

Spiritual Formation ... the forming of spiritual life in each of us ... Peter had to learn ... you and I have to learn ... and then, like Peter, we must surrender so that the Spirit of God can do the work in us.  Will you?  

Trust God - and DO Kingdom of God work
Keep your focus on the Lord - not on your circumstances
Choose faithfulness - even when the instructions are difficult
Be more concerned about the condition of your heart than for outward forms & ceremonies
Listen to Jesus - hear His voice FIRST
Forgive - ALWAYS
"Following" Jesus takes precedence over everything

Practice the spiritual discipline of service