The Way

12/29/2009 Human Observations
After reading the “random musings” of a close friend, it occurred to me to turn my thoughts towards the clarification of a misunderstanding. Adam chose to hearken to the will of his wife rather than to obey the instructions of the Lord our God, while in the Garden of Eden. This act introduced both sin (disobedience) and its result (death) into the experience of humankind, separating us from God and His unmerited favour. God, on the other hand, provided His Son as a substitute for us: to die in our place (to satisfy the law), and to demonstrate for us the acceptable manner of obedience. So, when we are Christ-like, we sacrifice our lives so that another soul will receive the mercy and un-merited favour of our Heavenly Father. Jesus said that He demonstrated what He witnessed of His Father, serving as the Living Word (or instructional voice) of God. What are we demonstrating when we think that we are conducting our lives in a “Christian” manner?
I shudder when I hear phrases like “right thinking”, because it confuses an unlearned believer. When attempting to define “right thinking”, words are inserted like integrity, morals, or ethics; as though such behavior is at the ready command of flesh and bone. Attempting to imitate the perceived behavior of Jesus provides neither a comprehension of the character of the Messiah, nor of the love required to set aside that which is personal to perform that which is obedient. Jesus prayed, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." Though He had a desire, He yielded rather, to what He desired even more, which was to be obedient to the will of our Heavenly Father. And for those who believe that there is ANY other way to be right with God other than through Jesus the Messiah, understand this: If there was indeed another way to be reconciled with God, then Jesus’ prayer was unanswered. But because He is the ONLY way, His death was necessary to fulfill the law (the law that applies to disobedience) that we broke; all of us.
So, then becoming Christ-like is not a process of imitation or emulation, but rather one of transformation whereby I recognize and acknowledge the absolute correctness of God to provide my standard for living.
By the way, isn’t it interesting how the transgression in The Garden of Eden was Adam’s in his deliberate disobedience, and not in Eve, who (prior to Adam’s transgression) was “deceived” by the Serpent? This again speaks to the intent of a person, and not necessarily to the actions of a person: the desires of the heart versus the motions of activity. But that’s another blog.