Chapter 3 - Much of What We Thought We Knew Is Wrong

Notes for "Much of What We Thought We Knew Is Wrong"

Introduction:

As we continue our journey from the Wilderness of Religious Legalism to Grace Land, we, like the Children of Israel, will discover some very new things because we "have not passed this way before" (Joshua 3:4). Much of what we thought was "right" about living the Christian life, was wrong. It looked and sounded good, even Biblical, and it certainly made sense because it lined up with our experience in other areas of life, but it was still wrong!

I have discovered that the Bible is written in such a way as to allow people to draw very different conclusions and support their beliefs with scripture. That happens for two reasons: 1) It is the nature of any written document, even one that is Divinely inspired, that different individuals will read the contents and draw often very different, even opposite, conclusions. If you have a problem with that statement, how do you explain all the different Christian denominations? And 2) It is the nature of God to always give us choice. He never "backs us in a corner" with indisputable evidence. If He did, we would never have choice.

Does that mean that we can believe anything we want…absolutely! That is God’s way with humans. You have the choice to believe anything, everything, some things or nothing. But as for me, I’ve decided that I cannot believe anything that cannot be supported by the Bible and I’m confident that the Holy Spirit will lead me to discover the error of my beliefs and show me the truth in every area that is essential to having a friendship with God.

My limited understanding of God’s grace has liberated me from the prison of "having to be right all the time." I can now honestly face my convictions without the fear that I might be wrong. If I am incorrect, it’s alright, God can fix that if I’ll be willing to admit my error and let Him lead me into all the truth.

Name on area of your beliefs where you have experienced a radical change from what you used to believe.

I’ve discovered two basic views of living the Christian life: 1) When I receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, He, through the Holy Spirit, comes to indwell me and provides both the desire and power to make changes in my life so that I will be transformed into the image of Christ; I will be able to follow His example and live my life for Him; and 2) When I receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, He, through the Holy Spirit comes to indwell me, my sinful nature dies, that "old self" that not only was attracted to sin, but was not uncomfortable with living in sin, and He exchanges that meaningless existence for His life, and I become a new creation. He now lives His life through my body, even though my flesh remains contaminated by sin…every cell is defiled. I am the "earthen vessel" that now contains the Divine life of Jesus and to the extent I am willing to allow Him to do it, He will express His life through me to others…I don’t have a changed life, but an exchanged life…I don’t live for Him, He lives through me.

The main difference between the two is the focus. In the first scenario, my focus will invariably be on me…egocentric. In the second, my focus is on Jesus. My concern with the first scenario is my EGO…Edging God Out! My personal experience, and I’ve seen it with many others, is that an egocentric view leads me to become religious or rebellious. It always leaves me either feeling arrogant and superior because I think that, as compared to others, I’m doing quite well. Or, and this is more frequent, I realize how rotten I am in the flesh and began to feel hopelessly discouraged and I rebel. The scenario that keeps me looking "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2) seems to work better for me.

What should be the response of the Christian when confronted with ideas that are new to him?

Most of us have compartmentalized our lives into manageable units and when "new" information comes to us, we try to fit it into one or more of these compartments. If it doesn’t fit pretty easily, we tend to disregard it. That’s why it’s hard for those of us who have a well-worked-out set of mental compartments to appreciate anything new. By the way, nothing of importance is really new, only newly realized!

If we want to grow in our understanding of the things of God, we must be willing to acknowledge that what we now believe, may not be true, otherwise, we can never move beyond were we are presently. If we want to go into Grace Land, we have to leave the Wilderness of Religious Legalism!

The safe-guard for investigating and evaluating new information of a spiritual nature, is found in Acts 17:11. These Jews were more willing to listen than the Jews in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true. Study the scriptures to see if this new information is true, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you.

This chapter suggests that Jesus Christ doesn’t want to be number one in your life. Discuss both sides of this statement giving the pros and cons of each side. What do you believe? Why?

Here’s the central issue: Is the "new creation" my life or is it Christ’s life in me? The subtle problem with the idea that Christ wants to be number one in my life is the assumption that it’s still my life. And further, that He would be willing to be on any list I would design and that I could decide His position on that list! The God of the universe isn’t on anybody’s list! He is the whole list…He is our life or He is not involved with us at all!

List three problems with asking ourselves the question, "What would Jesus do?"

	Trying to imitate Christ’s life is impossible. God’s doesn’t grade on the curve, the only passing grade is being perfect in thought and deed 100% of the time from our conception to our death!
	Trying to imitate Christ causes me to focus on myself instead of on Him which always leaves me trying instead of trusting; achieving instead of receiving!
	Trying to imitate Christ and failing, which is always what happens, not only discourages us, but gives non-believers a serious misrepresentation of Christianity. Even worse is the situation where the Christian thinks he/she is succeeding at imitating Jesus!

What would be a better question for the Christian to ask?

"How can I expand my opportunities for allowing Jesus to express His life through me to others?" I really like the WWJD that stands for "Watch What Jesus Does!"

What is the difference between imitating the life of Christ and participating in His life?

Imitating the life of Jesus puts the focus on me. Participating in the life of Jesus puts the focus where it should be, on Him and the many ways He will work through me to benefit me and others.

What are some obstacles that prevent people from changing their opinion about something they have long believed?

The more intricately a belief has been embedded into our minds and lives, the more difficult it is to admit we’ve been wrong. The longer we have held a belief, the harder it is to give it up. The more we have shared our beliefs with others, the more reluctant we are to change. The more documentation (writings, tapes, videos, etc.) that exists to remind us of what we’ve believed, the less inclined we are to adopt "new truth." We’re too proud to acknowledge we didn’t "have all the answers."

The Good News of God’s Grace, frees us from the shackles of having to be "right" all the time. We can trust Him and rest in the confidence that He will lead us into all the truth essential to having a friendship with God!

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