Dale Cresap's blog

Are you a good citizen? Does your faith make you a better citizen, or worse? Believers have a duty to obey the law of the land, and to love their enemies, and should have a world view that supports community, even beyond the walls of their church. Is it possible to be in a conflict between obeying the civil authority and obeying God? Yes, but how often does this happen? Have you ever experienced it personally? I have a special measure of grace for those in such a conflict.

Have you heard of fighting fire with fire? This implies that you can do unto others as they do unto you, but fire is more commonly fought with water, and this alone should cause you to question this proverb. Have you also heard it said that all is fair in love and war? This goes beyond the previous idea to say that there are no limits on behavior. Do you see how these both go against the teaching of the Bible; that you should act with character and integrity, doing what is right by internal motivations rather than allowing others to set your standards, or doing without any.

Do you think of your faith as primarily intellectual; that it is verifiable truth claims? There is an intellectually rigorous approach to faith. Do you think your faith is primarily emotional; something deeply felt, and meaningful for that reason? Your emotions are a valid expression of human experience despite what a rigidly rational culture would tell you. These are both valid aspects of human experience, but is your faith reducible to either, or both of them? What else is there? Your faith is transcendent, and your Kingdom is not of this world.

The Bible says you see in a glass darkly, but then face to face. Do you think of this only as a distinction between this present world and the world to come when you shall know as you are known? Is there an application of this principle that may apply before you transition from one realm to the other? How difficult is it for you to discern in those you meet whether you are getting their full clear presence or a dark and clouded version of themselves? What quality of presence do you bring to other people?

Do you know that you are a child of God? What effect does this knowledge have on you? An identity crisis is a serious foundational problem, but how many people do you meet who really know who they are? A foundational sense of being goes beyond nationality, church, family, education, wealth and all the other markers that people normally identify with. It should neither inflate nor depress you, but give you a sense of stability. This knowledge that you are connected to eternity and divinity should give you the courage and confidence you need to face a future that is otherwise uncertain.

Is it more important to you to get paid for your work or to do something worthwhile? It would be desirable to have both, and economic necessity may force you to take paid employment that you don’t find to be satisfying. If you are independently wealthy then you can be selective in the work you choose. Everyone needs money, but everyone also needs to feel that their life and efforts are making a difference. You are fortunate if you can satisfy both of these requirements with the same activity.

What does your church teach you? Do you receive instruction in the Bible and in prayer? What else? Does your church teach you how to deal with a faith crisis? This is rare, more so than faith crises are, so people who experience them are normally left to deal with them on their own. A faith crisis can be an opportunity for growth and development, but it is helpful to have considered the matter before you are in the midst of it. Do you double down on all your original positions? Do you examine them for revision? You don’t have to assume that you got everything right at the first.

Are you familiar with the stories about the Road to Emmaus and the Road to Damascus? These dramatic encounters with me took place on a journey from one place to another. Neither was scripted in advance. In this way they had much in common and they were still very different. Have you had an encounter with me that fits either profile? You could have an unexpected encounter with me of a different variety altogether. Is this the characteristic of a believer, or is that more doctrinal? These encounters are transformative. You can’t arrange them but you can be open to them.

The New Testament speaks much about freedom. You are to stand fast in the liberty in which I have made you free, and whom the Son sets free is free indeed. If you continue in my word you will know the truth and be free. What does freedom mean to you? Having enough guns to defeat any tyrant or oppressor? But these passages were written in an occupied country and nothing in the context suggests a political uprising. Then what dimensions of freedom do these passages refer to? Do you know anyone in a state of internal bondage? Can anything more severe be imposed from without?

You have my promise that everyone who seeks the truth hears my voice. Do you see this as an open-ended promise that everyone will respond to the gospel message? Yet how many people do you know that seek the truth? 1%? Seeking the truth is costly and painful. It is easier to seek acceptance and approval. These are deeply felt human needs. Are they stronger than the desire for truth? The pursuit of truth may lead you away from the comfortable and familiar. Are you willing to take this risk and move forward not knowing where the path will lead?