“Moving from rest and not from our own works has always been ingrained in God’s people. . . . It is from resting in [God] and trusting in his work that we respond. Our insufficiency and his sufficiency are the ground upon which we came to him in the first place; and the ground upon which we always stand in the Christian life.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
The Lord declared to his people. “Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you.”- Exodus 31:13 (ESV)
Kyle Strobel and John Coe continue Chapter 9 of When God Seems Distant as they discuss a hard tension in the Christian life. Most significantly, the authors stress, spiritual formation is not:
- simply habit formation; yet we still need to develop habits that reveal God’s power in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- the fruit of self-effort; but you still need to give effort.
- primarily oriented to your formation; but you still must give yourself to your formation.
In addition, Kyle and John underscore, we must not fuel our spiritual efforts with passion. Nor find the ground of our spiritual stance in ourselves. Because no foothold exists in ourselves. Hence, autonomy consists only of shifting sands.
Therefore, the authors state, we move from the rest secured by God, not from our anxious toilings. Consequently, Kyle and John conclude:
“Because of the nature of our life with Christ, faith is not something we simply start the Christian life with. We must walk by faith, and it is only by faith that we know who we are. . We are the redeemed . . . beloved . . . his children . . .those who can rest in the peace he has established. But this rest does not, or should not, lead to passivity.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you in moving from rest, not from your own works? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Spiritual practices – the goal”