Preparing for "Work" Series

I've been continuing to read and study in preparation for an upcoming series on "Work" with respect to the Gospel. In my study, I've come across the following quote, written by William Diehl in a book called Christianity and Real Life :

In the almost thirty years of my professional career, my church has never once suggested that there be any type of accounting of my on-the-job ministry to others. My church has never once offered to improve those skills which could make me a better minister, nor has it ever asked if I needed any kind of support in what I was doing. There has never been an inquiry into the types of ethical decisions I must face, or whether I seek to communicate the faith to my coworkers. I have never been in a congregation where there was any type of public affirmation of a ministry in my career. In short, I must conclude that my church really doesn't have the least interest whether or how I minister in my daily work.

In the church, I think it's safe to say that people aren't thoroughly equipped to apply their belief to work because there is often a dualistic mentality in the church, where we separate the sacred from the profane, the holy from the unholy, the in from the out. Therefore, the everyday attitudes of Christians towards work are heavily influenced by the dominant values of the society.

In light of this, I'm really looking forward to this series...as I desire to see Immanuel more effective engage the world around and live out the Gospel in everything...

Real or Fake?

This past Sunday I shared about the fruit of the Spirit, and how we must be careful not to assume that when we display love, joy, peace, patience, etc. that it is fruit of the Spirit, because we are capable of producing counterfeit fruit that comes from selfish motivation rather than from love. It is very important for us to consider this because only as we understand the Gospel deeply will we produce the qualitatively different fruit of the Spirit. Only in the power of the Gospel can we overcome our sinful nature. Therefore, we must not "settle" for external "virtue" that does not flow from the Spirit because of the Gospel, but we must continue to live in the freedom of the Gospel and seek to produce true fruit. The following list helps to understand what true and counterfeit fruit looks like. It is taken from Redeemer Presbyterian Church's bible study series on Galatians written by Dr. Timothy Keller.

1. Love
Definition– To serve a person for their good and intrinsic value, not for what the person brings you.
Opposite– Fear: self-protection and abusing people.
Counterfeit– Selfish affection. Rescuing someone but really rescuing self. Attracted not to person, but to how this person’s love makes you feel about yourself.

2. Joy
Definition– Delight in God and his salvation for sheer beauty and worth of who he is.
Opposite– Hopelessness, despair.
Counterfeit– Elation that comes with blessings not the Blesser! Mood swings based on circumstances.

3. Peace
Definition– Confidence and rest in the wisdom and sovereignty of God more than your own.
Opposite– Anxiety and worry.
Counterfeit– Indifference, apathy, not caring about something. “I don’t care.”

4. Patience
Definition– Ability to take trouble (from others or life) without blowing. To suffer joyfully.
Opposite– Resentment toward God and others.
Counterfeit– Cynicism. Self-righteousness. “This is too small to be bothered about.”

5. Kindness
Definition– Practical kindness with vulnerability out of deep inner security.
Opposite– Envy. Unable to rejoice other’s joy.
Counterfeit– Manipulative good deeds. “Right hand knowing what left hand is doing.” Self-congratulation and self-righteousness.

6. Goodness (integrity)
Definition– Honesty, transparency. Being the same in one situation as another.
Opposite– Phoniness; hypocrisy.
Counterfeit– Truth without love. “Getting it off the chest” for your sake.

7. Faithfulness
Definition– Loyalty. Courage. To be principle-driven, committed, utterly reliable. True to one’s word.
Opposite– Opportunist. Fair-weather friend.
Counterfeit– Love without truth. Being loyal when you should be willing to confront or challenge.

8. Gentleness (humility)
Definition– Self-forgetfulness.
Opposite– Superiority: self-absorbed self-aggrandizement.
Counterfeit– Inferiority: self-absorbed, self-consciousness.

9. Self-control
Definition– Ability to choose the urgent over the important thing.
Opposite– A driven, impulsive, uncontrolled person.
Counterfeit– Willpower through pride or through more “functional” idols.