tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4086668138493346844.post8403247282203828218..comments2024-02-24T03:24:55.631-05:00Comments on In Others Words: In a letter. To my daughter. After a sermon. (Part I)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4086668138493346844.post-3529058280021590302014-09-26T15:58:01.193-04:002014-09-26T15:58:01.193-04:00Hi Craig, and thank you for sharing.
I can give a...Hi Craig, and thank you for sharing.<br /><br />I can give a loud "Amen" to the "perspective adjustment" that you prescribe as a way of broadening our understanding of costs and benefits. I think it is true that there is a very different angle of approach in how our "analysis" operates when "Christ has so changed our hearts." And I like the way you described it as an "I CAN / BECAUSE" approach to serving God and others.<br /><br />Also, I can agree that what you found to be missing was a result of assumptions that I made. And I appreciate you speaking to what was missing for the benefit of others.<br /><br />But here's one small rub that I offer for your consideration. Allow me to speak briefly to these assumptions. Assumptions are sometimes necessary to achieve effective communication.<br /><br />For example, if I were speaking to one of my daughter's future suitors, it would be not be wrong to characterize strong physical advances by him towards my daughter as categorically "selfish" in nature. If, on the other hand, I was having a heart to heart talk with the husband of my sister, then the doors of "YOU CAN / BECAUSE" are able to be swung open.<br /><br />In this case, I made assumptions in the context of writing a letter to my unsaved daughter, in response to words that she heard regarding "the way by which we lay hold of the benefits that [Christ] secured for us".<br /><br />Instead of hearing "I CAN/BECAUSE", there was the possibility that she was hearing "I SACRIFICE/SO THAT". It is this possibility that I was attempting to address.<br /><br />Lastly, I'd like to share one of the ways Martin Luther describes a life of "I CAN/BECAUSE" in his treatise on Christian Liberty:<br /><br />--------------<br />"Lastly, we will also speak of the things which [a christian] does toward his neighbor. A man does not live for himself alone ... nay, rather, he lives only for others and not for himself. And to this end he brings his body into subjection, that he may the more sincerely and freely serve others. <br /><br />But none of these things does a man need for his righteousness and salvation. Therefore, in all his works he should be guided by this thought and look to this one thing alone, that he may serve and benefit others in all that he does, having regard to nothing except the need and the advantage of his neighbor.<br /><br />Lo, this is a truly Christian life, here faith is truly effectual through love; that is, it issues in works of the freest service cheerfully and lovingly done, ... without hope of reward, and for himself is satisfied with the fullness and wealth of his faith.<br /><br />...[And] each has such abundant riches in his faith, that all his other works ... are a surplus with which he can by voluntary benevolence serve and do good to his neighbor."<br />-------------------<br /><br /><br />After reading this, however, I can't help but wonder:<br /><br />1. Does he describe a transformed "analysis"? YES<br />2. Is his an "I CAN/BECAUSE" model for serving? YES<br />3. Does he describe a cost/benefit analysis? (I'm not convinced)<br /><br />Some food for thought.Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15865797234105834438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4086668138493346844.post-89935954724647569252014-09-26T11:52:59.545-04:002014-09-26T11:52:59.545-04:00Amidst several good thoughts, might I add one pers...Amidst several good thoughts, might I add one persepctive adjustment to your analysis of the cost-benefit analysis?<br /><br />YOur analysis assumes that "benefit" by its very nature msut be "selfish." But when benefit is understood to be "the thing I really want most" -- and when conversion to Christ has so changed my heart that the thing I really want most is the benefit of my brother, the glory God, the honor of Christ, etc. --- then my "cost-benefit analysis" reads this way: I can sacrifice, suffer & endure hardship awaiting the resurrection because what I want most is the gathering of the church, the saving of souls, and the honor and glory of Christ which he recieves when all the saints stand before him made perfect. Wanting this is not selfish. Wanting this is the fruit of a heart made new by Christ.Craig in Vermonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230945635763766229noreply@blogger.com