This is the introduction to a message series I am preparing called Define:Reestablishing definitions of Christian life. I hope you enjoy it.
Def-i-ni-tion: (noun)
1. The formal statement of the meaning of a word or phrase.
2. To make definite, distinct, or clearly outlined.
Every day we use words coupled together to communicate thoughts with others, creating conversation. We subconsciously use these words without the need of thinking of the definitions of each word used. There is no need because we know it.
What about defining ourselves? Why is it so hard to define who we are or what we believe in? Just like at the very core of our conversations lie the definitions of the words used, our lives too have definition. How then do we not have definite, distinct, or clearly outlined lives? Have we forgotten the definition of our lives?
Jesus came with clear instruction. He knew the definition of his life and in turn gave us the definition for our lives. Throughout scripture God reveals to us instruction and gives us the means in which to never forget our life's definition. Jesus was able to sum up our definition when some religious leaders tried to catch Jesus in a mistake. The greatest commandment is to love the Father with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; everything we are. The second greatest which fulfills the first is to love people as we love ourselves.
Everything outside of these commandments leave our life's definition tainted and obscure. When we allow things other than the love of the father to dictate our direction we will forget our meaning. It seems as though we have lost the meaning of several terms that must not be separated from the life of a believer. We as the body must remember these crucial elements and return to a life definite, distinct, and clearly outlined as lives lived for Jesus Christ. May there be no question about who we are or what we believe.
There are several key terms that I believe we as the church have forgotten their true or full meanings. These terms are the underlying foundations of our beliefs as believers. Some of the terms are: Christian, Church, Sin, Holy, Grace, Mercy, etc. We need to look at these words and remember their definitions. For the next several weeks we will be traveling down this road, searching for and reestablishing definitions of the believers life.
Father I pray that you remain my source for defining my life. May I never forget my purpose, my meaning, my God given definition for living. Lord I pray this for others as well. I pray they too will realize that the dictionary for life is your holy scripture and insight is given by your gentle Holy Spirit. Father I pray to you in the name of your son Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, amen.
1 comment:
Kyle, I absolutely loved this and want to actually make more of a comment about defining our own lives. I love how you worded how we don't need to actually define certain words because they are just inherently apart of our vocabulary. You're right, our lives need to be defined just as easily as those certain words and sometimes my life is but not quite always the way I would like it to happen. I'll say something and one of my friends will say, "oh well, that's just Chris..." Normally it's not in a bright light because I said something sarcastic or even mean spirited, but what would I give for people to see something I do or see something I say and they ask the question, "What was that?" And the response by my friends goes something like, "well...that's (just) Chris."
You have inspired me Kyle, I really hope you know that. Thank you for helping ignite this thought in me.
-Chris Peters
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