On Not Living the Christian Life

October 6, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
In my message this past Sunday, I made a statement that was not original, though I wish it had been. It was this: We cannot live the Christian life! If my memory serves me correctly, the author of that line was none other than Dr. Bill Gillham, the author of “Lifetime Guarantee.” Admittedly, when I first heard it (many years ago, now), I flinched, but after giving it some thought, I had to admit that he was correct. There is no getting around the fact that we cannot live the Christian life.
Today, I want to add this to his line: “and trying our very best to do so is futile.” This is the truth: There is not one of us who can live the Christian life, and our attempting to do so is but vainglory. If you should take a minute to get your breath, and then to be honest with yourself, you would have to admit that I am telling you the truth.
As far back as I can remember, the church, regardless of denomination, has been diligently, urgently, and with good intention trying to teach its members how to live the Christian life. Way back in my Sunday School and MYF days, it was obvious that the main purpose and mission of our teachers (one of whom was my Mother) was to teach us how to live the Christian life, and believe me, they were diligent to provide us not only with the rules of conduct, but also with the consequences of disobedience. Sadly, I have no memory of anyone ever suggesting to me that obedience was impossible. Not one time did anyone stand before us and say, “Give it up guys; you cannot live the Christian life!”
Oh, I do think a few people realized that the mission was failing, but no one could actually verbalize what was undeniably true (the cost would have been too great!). In an effort to shore up the failing foundation, to deal with the obvious without really dealing with it, the message became “do the best you can; give it all you have; and God will be pleased,” which, as I trust you know, is ultimate vainglory!
Like it or not, Jesus set the standard for our living the Christian life in the Sermon on the Mount, when He spoke these words: “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 NASB). Well, if this is the standard (and it is!), then I have the strong conviction that our best efforts will fall far-short of whatever Jesus had in mind by His use of the word “perfect.” If you want a clearer picture of what He had in mind, read verses 20-48 from the same chapter, as I think doing so will not only clear that up for you, but it will also show you how futile your “best efforts” are!
I will continue this tomorrow, but for now, I do want to tell you that although you cannot live the Christian life, you can live the life of a believer, and you can do so very successfully.
You think about this—