Hopefully, no one checks this journal expecting a profound dissertation on the topics I mention. First, I'm not sure I'm capable of such a treatment of many subjects, and second, no one wants to spend that much time staring at a computer screen. But I do have thoughts that seem worthy of being shared or at least preserved for myself.
In two recent discussions, I have found a breakdown in communication over a failure to agree on "the good life." Basically, it boils down to a confusion of our chief end in life according to the catechism, "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever." One side in a discussion views all of life as our striving toward glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. The other side sees glorifying God and enjoying Him forever as life itself. So the one is saying, "I educate my children so that they will glorify God and enjoy Him forever." And the other is saying, "My teaching and my children's learning are ways of glorifying God and bringing us great joy."
Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. says in a message on training children, "To know God is life itself." We don't aim to know God because it helps us have a better life. Relationship to God through Christ is not an aid as we pursue personal peace and affluence. Abiding in Christ is life itself; "to live is Christ." I don't study math and science so that I can go to medical school so that I can be a doctor so that I can then glorify God. I study whatever I study so that I can better know God by understanding who He is, what He has done, and what He requires of us.
I don't go to church so that I can be helped to be a better Christian. I worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ because it is a right response to the amazing grace God has shown me. I commune with my brethren because Christ made the ultimate sacrifice and invited me to His Table to remember His work. I fulfill the one another's of the Scriptures because God has revealed in His Word that we find joy and we glorify Him by loving one another in Christ.
The good life is growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The good life is knowing more of God. The good life is walking faithfully in covenant with God as He preserves us in the faith. The good life is fleshed out as we walk with God with our families and in community with His people.
Having a right perspective of the good life profoundly affects our approach to all sorts of topics. Having a right understanding helps us actually live the good life.
No comments:
Post a Comment