Purpose, Renewal, and Daily Spiritual Practices

So often we recognize that something in our selves, and the world, is just not right. We attempt to muster up the will power to do better with our own character and actions (New Years resolutions are a good example). We want to fix it on our own, but eventually we give up or just burn out. However, in the midst of this struggle we also may not be asking a key question: What is the source of the problem?

So what is the core problem? We, in some way, are “broken images” of God, as one scholar puts it. The book of Genesis talks about humankind being made in God’s image. As many scholars point out, this idea of living, breathing “images” was in contrast to the “images” that were statues and representations in the temples of other faiths. As living images of God, we are in relationship with Him, but also given stewardship to carry out His good intentions for His overall good creation.

Unfortunately, sin impacted us (there are various interpretations within the Christian faith of how this impacted humanity), our relationship with God, and prevented us from being the true, whole selves that God had intended. Thus it also impacted how we participate in His creation.

The good news is that our loving Creator God, who thus knows what is best for us and wants us to flourish, wanted to fix that problem and restore humanity to whom He intends us to be- images, or reflections of Him. This is not mean we will do away with our specific individual traits, but rather those unique traits that each of us have are brought back towards their intended, healthy fullness.

Colossians 3:1,10 “Since then, you have been raised with Christ….(you) have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge, in the image of its Creator.” Here we see that God himself initiated that process. The Creator did not give up on His creation, including those He created in His image. He humbled himself so we could be reconciled to him, the images restored, and the beginning of a great renewal, Which brings us to our first point:

1). Renewal is something that is made possible by the work of Christ. Lest we think it is our responsibility and burden to get the ball rolling, Christ handled that starting point and heavy lifting for us, through His death and resurrection. He is the only one that could have accomplished that. The kind and loving Creator takes that amazing responsibility upon His shoulders. And perhaps for discussion another day, His work goes even beyond our lives. Knowing this can provide so much joy and awe.

2) Spiritual growth is done by God. He is the one who transforms us. As it says in Philippians, “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” John Wesley commented on this passage by saying, “Because of this grace, we faint not.” God will work within us, and the center of our being. We do not necessary notice it. I almost wish that it was something we could feel or see. But it is a quiet impact, only recognized upon reflection.

3) It is a wonderful display of the glory of the Trinity. Titus 3:5b “He saved us by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Again, John Wesley’s words speak well of the meaning- “the renewal of the Holy Ghost; which purifies the soul, as water cleanses the body, and renews it in the whole image of God.” Note that Wesley shows the full scope of this, and brings it back to the image of God. Too often, especially in certain quarters of Christianity, we limit what God has done to just Jesus dying on the cross. And as important as that is, and it is very important, the work of the Triune God in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ is even bigger than that. It is about the fullness of reconciliation, restoration, renewal, etc…. The whole “Trinity” thing can blow our minds, and we cannot get our heads fully around it, but the reality of it has a great impact on how God works in us.

4) But is there anything we should do? Romans 12:2- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” As Richard Foster writes in his classic “Celebration of Disciples”, “God has given us the Disciplines (ie. practices) of the spiritual life as a means of receiving his grace. The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us.” Silence, solitude, prayer, Scripture, corporate worship, service, etc… all are healthy spiritual practices.

A word about the terms “transform” and “renew”. In some sense the two words can and seem to be used interchangably. In another sense, there may be a difference, but a close connection, if not an overlap. As put in one church’s pastor said in the sermon about that passage, “…that’s a couple of interesting words to put together: transformation and renewal, because ‘transformation’ suggests continuity with the old and ‘renewal’ suggests discontinuity. So as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, we don’t leave behind who we have always been, but our attitudes change, our character is reformed and renewed and the old becomes new.”

5) The goal for renewal and transformation is to become closer to God, and more loving like God. As Dallas Willard said, “Spiritual formation is the process of shaping the individual so that they love God with all their heart, all their soul, all their mind, and with all their strength. And they love their neighbor as themselves.” Like a football team who takes time during the game to evaluate how they are dong, we can examine where we stand in our daily journey. A spiritual practice of the daily “examun” is a wonderful place to start (more on that at a later time).

6) Perhaps renewal is then not just something done to us and just for our benefit. It is something God, the one whose image we are made in, does and displays towards us. And although we cannot renew others, should we not then see that as something we should emulate towards others, through encouragement, assistance, etc…?

So we should ask ourselves and consider- are we placing ourselves in a posture for God to do a work within us? Are we taking time for the daily spiritual practices of prayer, silence, Scripture, self examination, etc….? If not, deep down, why not? Each of us may have different answers to those questions, but recognizing where we stand can help us go forward on life’s path.

As one friend likes to say, Journey well!