Self Help Christianity
What is it that separates the ethical advice of the Bible from that of other forms of spirituality, or, for that matter, Dr. Phil’s counsel on television? After all, don’t most religions and self-help books generally say the same thing?
At first glance it might appear to be so. However, the difference is not so much in what they say, but in the foundational truths that support their ideas.
For example, a book might encourage you to cultivate a positive self esteem, to refuse to be bitter about your past, to believe the best will happen even if things look gloomy. These are all good advice. A religious or spiritual teaching may encourage you to accept others, to be a giver rather than a taker, to honor your marital vows. Again, excellent counsel.
But what is the basis, the foundation, the root of all this helpful instruction? Is it valid simply because we think it’s a good idea, or is there a deeper basis? More to the point, how am I to manufacture these good attitudes and habits when everything within me and around me screams otherwise?
This is the genius of the Christian faith. Its truth is not based in the whim and fancy of human ideas, but in the historical reality of the resurrection of Jesus. Moreove, it contends that the resurrection life of Jesus is present and active in the hearts of everyone who follows him.
Think for a moment about the plants in your yard. Which is more vital, the part underneath the ground, or the part above it?
Obviously, it is the part under the ground. The life of the plant is in the root system. No amount of water, soil, sun, or wishful thinking will cause it to grow without living roots beneath those leaves.
Healthy roots give to plants both foundation and sustenance. In fact, many shrubs which appear dead due to the winter frost are not dead at all. Their strong roots will cause further growth.
It is the healthy root, both in plants and in Christian spirituality, which are the key to fruitful living.
The strength of the Christian faith is that its spiritual truth is not centered in the fickle fancies of human emotion (“I feel alive and well; therefore it is so”). Neither is it subject to the whim of human volition (“I choose to be alive and well; therefore I am”). Even better, it does not rely on the changing climate of human opinion (“She says I look well; it must be true”).
Instead, Christianity grounds its experience and ethic in the complete and finished work of Christ (“Jesus is alive and well; therefore, I am, too”). The difference is of vital importance.
Since Christian spirituality is grounded in the truth of Christ’s resurrection, it remains constant in the face of huge challenges. And because the resurrected life of Christ resides within Christians by virtue of their faith in him, they find that his life grows up in them even despite overwhelming obstacles.
This is why you cannot kill Christianity. For at the root, it is not Christians who make it so. In fact, if it were up to Christians, we would have likely killed it long ago. God knows we’ve tried.
No, the essence of Christianity is not found in its teachings, or in its followers. It is found in Jesus himself, resurrected from the dead, ascended to the heavens, returning one day to finish the work he began. Jesus is alive and well, and, as baffling as it might seem, living in the hearts of those who love him.
Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong (Eph 3:17).
At first glance it might appear to be so. However, the difference is not so much in what they say, but in the foundational truths that support their ideas.
For example, a book might encourage you to cultivate a positive self esteem, to refuse to be bitter about your past, to believe the best will happen even if things look gloomy. These are all good advice. A religious or spiritual teaching may encourage you to accept others, to be a giver rather than a taker, to honor your marital vows. Again, excellent counsel.
But what is the basis, the foundation, the root of all this helpful instruction? Is it valid simply because we think it’s a good idea, or is there a deeper basis? More to the point, how am I to manufacture these good attitudes and habits when everything within me and around me screams otherwise?
This is the genius of the Christian faith. Its truth is not based in the whim and fancy of human ideas, but in the historical reality of the resurrection of Jesus. Moreove, it contends that the resurrection life of Jesus is present and active in the hearts of everyone who follows him.
Think for a moment about the plants in your yard. Which is more vital, the part underneath the ground, or the part above it?
Obviously, it is the part under the ground. The life of the plant is in the root system. No amount of water, soil, sun, or wishful thinking will cause it to grow without living roots beneath those leaves.
Healthy roots give to plants both foundation and sustenance. In fact, many shrubs which appear dead due to the winter frost are not dead at all. Their strong roots will cause further growth.
It is the healthy root, both in plants and in Christian spirituality, which are the key to fruitful living.
The strength of the Christian faith is that its spiritual truth is not centered in the fickle fancies of human emotion (“I feel alive and well; therefore it is so”). Neither is it subject to the whim of human volition (“I choose to be alive and well; therefore I am”). Even better, it does not rely on the changing climate of human opinion (“She says I look well; it must be true”).
Instead, Christianity grounds its experience and ethic in the complete and finished work of Christ (“Jesus is alive and well; therefore, I am, too”). The difference is of vital importance.
Since Christian spirituality is grounded in the truth of Christ’s resurrection, it remains constant in the face of huge challenges. And because the resurrected life of Christ resides within Christians by virtue of their faith in him, they find that his life grows up in them even despite overwhelming obstacles.
This is why you cannot kill Christianity. For at the root, it is not Christians who make it so. In fact, if it were up to Christians, we would have likely killed it long ago. God knows we’ve tried.
No, the essence of Christianity is not found in its teachings, or in its followers. It is found in Jesus himself, resurrected from the dead, ascended to the heavens, returning one day to finish the work he began. Jesus is alive and well, and, as baffling as it might seem, living in the hearts of those who love him.
Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong (Eph 3:17).