That which is truly life.

I love this phrase from 1Timothy 6:17-19: "that which is truly life." That's the life I want to live, the life that's mine because of my new position as a son of God. But what does it mean? Let's look at the context:

"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storying up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of THAT WHICH IS TRULY LIFE."

All of the daily "disasters" that we face, such as anxiety, anger, guilt, greed, bitterness etc. can be thought of as the fallout of a life lived in the service of self, a life lived in celebration of the gospel of a domesticated Christ (where Jesus has come to serve me, forgive me, and clean up my life rather than me serving Him). It is the "good life" where we are on the throne, material possessions promise to bring fulfillment and our future is what we make it (i.e. the "American Dream"). What God is offering us in the gospel is nothing short of freedom from a dead life and a life of self-service, a life where love is the currency, peace is the result, and our boast is the cross.

This is what Paul tells Timothy is "truly life."

The gospel of the real Jesus is perfect. It's all about him. In the real gospel, I get to confess my greed and call it the sin that it is. The central focus of the gospel of the real Jesus is the cross. Sacrifice isn't something I do to gain acceptance. The cross already did that. Sacrifice and suffering can be the avenues God uses to help us find our treasure in him.

Yes, Christ promises us abundant life, but I'm not allowed to define the ins and outs of abundance. It doesn't mean I'll drive the fastest car, live in the nicest house, and have the best job. But it does mean that God is the one who is sovereign over all these details in my life. Because of the cross, I can't claim a pain-free life, but I can know the grace that promises to sustain me no matter what the cost.

The abundance Jesus promises has to do with peace in the midst of turmoil, grace in the midst of pain. Confidene replaces fear, and hope dawns after the darkest of nights.

Because I hold the hand of the real Jesus, I don't need to be afraid of sacrifice and risk. If he's in control and I'm in hardship, then I believe he has allowed it for my good.

Because the real Jesus demands our all, the gospel will always stand juxtaposed against the American Dream. That means that the true gospel will never find itself in the "in" position in American culture.

Do my attitudes always conform to the gospel fo the real Jesus?

Sadly, no.

But that's why I'm challenging myself (along with you) to dissect below the skin of our belief structure.

Let's make sure that Christ is at the center.

Then, the fallout of the real gospel will start.

And that's where "that which is truly life" begins.

Love,

Harry