Omaha Church of Christ

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. — 2 Corinthians 3:17

Happy New Year! Where does the time go? This past year went so fast and so slow. As 2007 begins, I have reflected on how I want to grow as a disciple this year. I have also considered how our church can bring greater glory to God in this coming year. My thoughts have pointed to the lesson we learned from all the challenges of this past year: SPIRITUALITY! The Spirit has got to transform us from the inside out. We have for a long time done much hard work for the Lord. We have been determined to be obedient and live righteous Christian lives. True disciples have sacrificed great amounts of time and energy to spread the gospel around the world. We have been encouraged by many blessings from God in our efforts but it has been obvious it is time to grow in the areas which have been lacking. Our externals have looked good like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day but God is more concerned with the internal. Burn out occurs without the Spirit renewing us. Trying to walk in the footsteps of Jesus is overwhelming and impossible without increasing spirituality. Have some of us outgrown the measure of the Spirit we received at baptism?

Growth spiritually occurs from spiritual exercises which can include: Prayer, Meditation, Fasting, God’s Word, and Journaling. Christian virtues take time and discipline to develop. As Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth, spiritual growth occurs one degree at a time. Spiritual transformation occurs as you meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus. The formation of Christ in your life will lead to sincere obedience to his commands and direction. We unveil our faces as we remove the sin from our lives that blind us of everything spiritual. “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:1-4

Reverence is defined as the well developed capacity to have the feelings of awe, respect, and shame when these are the right feelings to have. Spirituality creates awe, respect, and shame. Did you catch that reverence is a feeling? Feelings are so hard to control. To have the right feelings at the right time in the proper measure can only be a product of the Spirit. I do not know about you but I do not always feel the way I would like to feel. Is it hard to control anger or fear or moods? Spirituality will produce the proper feelings. It is easier to control our thoughts and our behavior than our feelings. Most disciples I know who are mature have got their behavior and thoughts going in the right direction but the feelings vary.

Reverence requires belief in a transcendent God, knowing our place and an understanding of our finitude. Pride rejects belief in the transcendent, accepting our limitations, and the mystery of death. Too much faith in the potential of mankind, science and technology has lead to society full of apathy, agnosticism, and atheism. Examples of spirituality and reverence need to reflect the greatness and glory of God to a lost world. Brothers and sisters become the examples of reverence which your neighbors, workmates and family need to witness. Exercise your faith on a daily basis to develop the virtues of Jesus as your second nature. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

I am excited to see where God leads us in 2007! I am determined to be a more spiritual person. It is my prayer for the Omaha church that we all reflect Jesus in increasing measure this year. May our church be a place of reverence for God which inspires many friends, classmates, neighbors and family to join us in the Spirit.