Notes from the book:
2Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, there is a
new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”
The author then gives the analogy, “You know how a butterfly becomes a
butterfly? The butterfly was once a caterpillar, a worm. It could only crawl,
and could not fly. But it goes into a cocoon, a chrysalis, in which the root
word, appropriate, is ‘Christ.’ And it emerges a butterfly, completely
transformed, a new creation! The old has passed, the new has arrived! It was once weighed down
by gravity; now it can fly. Christians were once under the reign of sin, but
now we can live in freedom.”[1] In
response to this analogy, the author’s friend joked, “When I hear a Christian
say, ‘I’m just a sinner saved by grace,’ I want to say, ‘That makes as much
sense as a butterfly saying, “I’m just a worm with wings.”’” In Christ we have been
raised up with Jesus to new life. We have been given a new identity, one in
which Christ dwells. We have received the indwelling Holy Spirit.[2]
However, even though we have become new people spiritually,
we still live in our old self’s body, which contains the remnants of sin. We
still have our old narratives, our old memories and our old habits. We still
live in a world that stands diametrically opposed to the truth of God. That’s
is why we struggle with sin even after we’re regenerated.[3] Paul
writes in Galatians 5:17 that “What the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit,
and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to
each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.” The battle between the
flesh and Spirit does not end when we come up from the waters of baptism – in
fact, that is precisely when it begins.[4]
You are one in whom Christ dwells. Your glory is not in what
you do, but in who you are. You are meant to house the fullness of God. Knowing
that this is our true identity is the secret to walking in holiness.[5]
Furthermore, it is in our weakness that God’s power is revealed. The broken
feel they have nothing to offer; legalists feel their perfection is what makes
them valuable. Both are wrong. We minister out of our weakness. We heal others
through our vulnerability because that is where Christ shines most brightly.
Henri Nouwen writes: “The question is not: How many people take you seriously?
How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? But: Are you
in love with Jesus?... In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an
enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God; a heart that
forgives, cares, reaches out and wants to heal.”[6]
Reflections:
The author gives us this amazing paradox: “We minister out
of our brokenness. We heal others through our vulnerability because that is
where Christ shines most brightly.”[7]
In my own life I find this to be true. It is hard for me to
understand the pain of others unless I have been through the same pains, and it
is not convincing for me to tell others what to do when I haven’t experienced
the same things as they did. Furthermore, I find it harder to turn to God when
everything is smooth sailing. I cry out to God for help when I realise my
limitations and vulnerability. For example, a previous relationship breakup many years ago produced
such brokenness that there was nowhere to turn but to God. As a result I
experienced a powerful encounter with God which healed my wounds and built my
character. Having walked through such a trial, I can better empathise and help
others who are going through this type of trial. In fact, this triggered a
rapid spiritual growth in me that could not have happened if I had not
encountered such trial. I developed increasing self-insight and gradually I see
my own problems instead of placing blame on others. It pushed me forward and gradually
gave me the courage I need to face my own problems and take ownership over these
problems, soaring up to a higher level.
(An old song which I like very much)
Bibliography:
Smith, James Bryan.The Good and Beautiful God.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2010.
Wang, Ying-fan Yvonne. Dr Yvonne Wang’s Blabberings. Last
modified May 9, 2015. http://dryvonnewang.blogspot.com.au.
[1]James
Bryan Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,(London:
Hodder and Stoughton, 2010): 155.
[2]Smith,
The Good and Beautiful God, 156.
[3]Smith,
The Good and Beautiful God, 156.
[4]Smith,
The Good and Beautiful God, 157.
[5]Smith,
The Good and Beautiful God, 162.
[6]Smith,
The Good and Beautiful God, 163.
[7]James
Bryan Smith, The Good and Beautiful God,
(London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2010): 163.
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