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CHALLENGES IN LIVING
TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY
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A Hole-y and Leaky
Christian
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by Tom
Caballes
"So we
do not lose heart. Though our outer
self is wasting away,
our inner self is being renewed day by
day."
- 2
Corinthians 4:16 ESV
One indisputable fact we face as disciples of
Christ is that we spiritually “leak” – it is as if
our spiritual life is naturally full of holes. We
forget our promises to God; we neglect and
overlook things we have learned in the past about
discipleship and the Word of God, and we cannot
easily be faithful to what God has called us to do
and to be. The world challenges us
constantly about our commitments, and our weakened
human nature always wants us to return to our old
way of living. Our physical health and memory fail
as we get older. Our emotions can at times run
amok within us. Even though we are God’s new
creation [2 Corinthians 5:17], we need to
continually “top up” our faith so that we can
continue to run our race to the end. Our
inner-self is to be to be renewed day by day, as 2
Corinthians 4:16 indicates. Instead of being
naturally holy, we are inherently hole-y! If we do
not “refill” our faith frequently, we might run
out at the end, and not finish the race!
So How Do We
Become a “Filled” Christian
Thoroughly Inside and Out, and
Stop the Spiritual “Leak?”
- We
always need to be connected to the vine –
see John 15:1 to 11. Jesus is the source of
our spiritual life; we will wither
spiritually once that link is lost [John
15:6]. Prayer is the key to being renewed
daily.
- Form
holy habits like daily prayer and Scripture
reading. We are creatures of habits, and we
need to adapt to a new method of living that
conforms to God’s ways. Our minds and bodies
would eventually adjust to the new way of
living in Christ. Be faithful in reading the
Bible, even if you have read it many times
before.
- Form
holy attitudes like initiative, positivity,
and generosity. Serving others helps us to
have a servant-like attitude. God’s word
should form our outlook on life and
attitude, so we need always to be refreshed
by the Word of God. We are like a GPS
needing to connect to a satellite so that it
can find its bearing again.
- Weed
out patterns of sin and temptation in your
life. Know your weaknesses and shut
down opportunities for sin. By avoiding
temptations to sin and committing sin, we
retain our faith values and thinking; but
once we compromise, we open an opportunity
for the enemy to come into our life to rob
us of Godliness. … and give no
opportunity to the devil (Ephesians
4:27 ESV). Ask the Holy Spirit to change
your stubborn and sinful ways.
- Be
humble and teachable; try to learn from
something you have heard a few times in the
past; God can give you new insight or
understanding if you are teachable and
humble, but not when you are arrogant and
proud. Be humble and know you need to
reinforce what you have learned in the past.
- Renew
your mind and spirit by spending time with
your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Experiencing Godly fellowship helps us renew
our faith and tops up our zeal for God. When
challenges come, it is good that we have
more mature brothers and sisters in Christ
to help us move along in our journey,
especially if we feel we are “stuck” in
life. When challenges in life come, brothers
and sisters help us face the adversity
well.
- Take
time to rest and renew your life and faith
in God. Take time as a family, a couple and
as individuals to refresh your weary souls
by having some personal or family retreats,
holidays, and vacations. The journey is a
spiritual marathon, not a sprint. Make sure
you finish the race well because that is
what truly matters.
Other Scripture passages:
- Brothers,
I do not consider that I have made it my
own. But one thing I do: forgetting what
lies behind and straining forward to what
lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in
Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)
- Do
not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is
the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)
- Other
Bible verses: James 1:23-25; Colossians
3:13; and Hebrews 12:1-2.
For
personal reflection or
group sharing
- In what ways are you a “hole-y” and “leaky”
Christian?
- What long-term plans can you make so you
will never run out of spiritual energy and
finish the race?
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Tom
Caballes is the
National Senior
Administrator and a
National Coordinator
of the Lamb
of God, a
community of the
Sword of the Spirit
with 7 branches
located throughout
New Zealand. Tom
also leads Kairos
New
Zealand, an
outreach program for
high school,
university, and
post-university aged
people.
Tom and
his wife Mhel and
their two
daughters live in
Wellington, New
Zealand.
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