Renovation of the Heart
Transforming the Body (2|4)
Pages 169-174
• The Profundity of Paul
• “Nice” Flesh
• The Centrality of Spiritual Formation of the Body
• We Must Take This All Very Literally
TOGETHER read the devotional and the scripture.
INDIVIDUALLY take notes in your journal on what stands out.
Colossians 3:5-8 (NIV) Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Romans 6:4 (NIV) We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:12-19 (NIV) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
Romans 7:17-18 (NIV) As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
TOGETHER pray for one another.
INDIVIDUALLY answer the questions in your journal - process your devotional notes and pray.
The Profundity of Paul
“Once we are clear about the centrality of the body to our identity and the normal course of life, the profundity of Paul’s teachings about the body will strongly impress us. Without understanding this, however, his words become incomprehensible. I’m afraid that’s what they are to most people today. They cannot understand how Paul could literally mean what he said about the role of the body in the life of one who belongs to Christ.”
Do you agree? Could the lack of understanding be a contributing factor in today’s churches on different issues? Church (A) takes a stance on an issue interpreting Paul’s words in a way that supports their stance while simultaneously church (B) interprets Paul’s words to support their stance that either contradicts what is or is not permissible or endorsed by “the church.” OR church (A or B) takes the position that Paul’s words are for a different time, place, and culture and are therefore irrelevant to today’s church conduct and beliefs.
“Nice” Flesh
“In Romans, chapters 5-8 Paul had been describing how sin (and therefore death) has reigned over (governed) human life. But now as he came forward the end of chapter 5, a new kind of “reign” emerged. Death had reigned because of sin, which came into the human world by one man (Adam). Yes, but: Romans 5:17 (NIV) For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign [govern] in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! We must not emphasize that the grace in question is not merely a judicial action, though it involves that too. It is above all a presence and power in life, which provides an alternative to the merely natural forces (flesh) accessible to the individual in and through the body without any specific divine intervention from above.”
“The power of grace” - what grace can/cannot - does/doesn’t - has been debated since the birth of the church. What is your response to Dallas Willard’s statement - in particular the emphasis on grace?
“Because we are in the grip of grace, sin does not exercise control over us except insofar as we allow it. And, with divine assistance provided, we can break whatever strict control remains to it in every aspect of our lives (Romans 6:14), So, just as once - while ‘dead in … trespasses and sins’ (Ephesians 2:1) - we surrendered our body parts to be ‘servants of impurity, and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness,’ so now we are to present our body parts to be servants of righteousness leading to sanctification (Romans 6:19, PAR).”
What does this mean?
The Centrality of Spiritual Formation of the Body
“The proper retraining and nurturing of the body is absolutely essential to Christlikeness. The body is not just a physical thing. As it matures, it increasingly takes on the quality of ‘inner’ life. - That is, indeed, the transformation of the inner reality of the self in such a way that the deeds and works of Jesus become a natural expression of who we are. - When our hearts (will, spirit) come to new life in God, the old ‘programs’ are still running contrary to our new hearts, and for the most part they are running in our bodies.”
What would you suggest to someone who has surrendered their life to follow Jesus (the beginning of heart transformation) but still currently has “old programs” running in their bodies?
We Must Take This All Very Literally
“Various tendencies actually present in our bodily parts can move our bodies into action independently of our overall intentions to the contrary - often quite genuine - and of our conscious thoughts. Thus we act or speak ‘before we think.’ The part of our character that lives in our bodies carries us away. - James had no doubt observed the incredible power of the tongue to stir up the inclinations of the whole body and all its parts - our own bodies as well as those of others. - It is perhaps the last bodily part to submit to goodness and righteousness. ‘No one can tame the tongue,’ James said, and indeed that is right.”
What are your thoughts on James’ view of the power of the tongue? (James 3:1-12) His example of a small rudder controlling the direction of the entire ship for example - how does it happen that the tongue can control the direction of the entire body?
“A person caught up in rage or lust or resentment - or religious self-righteousness, for that matter - basically one whose body has taken over and, at least for the moment, is totally running his or her actions or even life. Sometimes we say, ‘I just lost my temper.’ ‘Temper’ refers to the capacity to handle all kinds of situations and maintain one’s balance. It is in fact close to character, as when we say that someone is ‘acting out of character’ or ‘is not himself (or herself) today.’”
Actions have consequences - what consequences might “losing your temper” have? What consequences have happened when either you are someone close to you has lost their temper? What kind of damage has happened to character when tempers are lost and how do you begin to restore the damage?
EXTRA READING:
“If you want to find rest here below and hereafter, in all circumstances say, Who am I? and do not judge anyone.”
- Joseph of Panephysis (birth and death are not recorded) He lived around the 4th and 5th centuries in the desert of lower Egypt