In order for any of this to make sense we have to
have an understanding that formation is a process. If you believe that being a Christian is an
event, only a wedding if you will, then formation doesn’t make sense. Ben Johnson, professor emeritus at Columbia
Theological Seminary states that our relationship with Christ does not grow,
that we do not grow closer to Christ but that our relationship only becomes different. The relationship with Christ changes, he
contends, but this ”does not mean improvement.”
He even uses the example that his marriage is different now but is not
better than it was on their wedding day.
How sad.
If our relationship with Christ is not improving, getting
better, then it is dying. As with any
relationship, there is no middle ground.
So we have to have this understanding that there are stages of actual growth,
there are mature and immature Christians We are all un-formed Christians but some of us are less formed than others.
This is easy to see in children but adults have a harder time thinking
that they are immature or need to grow.
To return to the wedding/marriage analogy, my position at St Johns is like a
marriage counselor for your marriage to Christ.
A wedding is a great thing and it is critical to make a public statement
of fidelity to your wife. Making a
public confession of Christ is critical, but, as with marriage, is there
more? Are marriage preparation and
marriage quality an issue? In his book, Unchristian,
Kinneman’s research shows that 85% of Americans state that they have made a
public profession for Christ. Now, only about
30% of the population says they attended church “last weekend” so where are the
other 55% of believers. Obviously we
have a lot of “wedding” Christians with little or no marriage. So….
How are you doing? Is
Christ there for you, walking with you through the tough spots that you can’t handle
on your own? You obviously participate
in church since you are here. And most
of us are involved in a Bible study or Sunday School class. Jesus has an impact on who you are and how
you act. Got your ticket and you're
done?
These talks are an invitation to take a step, for some a
leap maybe, to see if there is more to your life with Christ than what it is
now. Kind of like -
You got married to Christ at baptism and confirmation and
now... what? You’re on speaking terms? Life
perks along and is happy enough. Nothing
is really wrong with life – troubles but everyone has troubles. Not quite content but is anyone? Being a Christian doesn’t mean I supposed to
be happy all the time, does it? So what are you talking about? Life is good enough.
Well… is it?
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