“For what I received, I passed on to you …” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:3
Previously, we looked at ten commands for the Christian writer. Great general guidelines. The prerequisite, of course, is an intimate knowledge of Christ. To grow as His scribes, we must be growing in grace. Our part is simply to abide; He does the growing.
It also seems we best express the truths of the Kingdom when we’re walking in them. Otherwise, we only parrot what we’ve yet to understand, and hurting people can sense a lack of authenticity. So, to “write down the revelation and make it plain,” we begin with surrendered hearts, attuned to His Spirit.
Bearing this in mind, I remember:
We’ll write humbly, rightly divide the word of truth, disciple without preaching, and honor God when we’re writing from the place of grace. Knowledge puffs up, but God is glorified as Christ’s Spirit is allowed to reign in us. No need to be perfect. He anoints writing as He sees fit, to touch the hearts of every reader who needs Him.
But it’s relationship that gets us there, not all the rules. ♥
“God will teach you more than even the most mature Christian could. He will teach you better than all the books in the world could. Why are you so eager to chase after knowledge? Don’t you realize that all you need is to be poor in spirit, and to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified?” Fenelon
Many years ago, more than I care to count, I clipped a little sidebar entitled, “The Ten CWG Commands.” Can’t remember where it came from. I’d love to credit the author, but the only clues left are the yellowed dog-eared corners, and a couple of dried coffee stains.
Back then, I was dead serious - about life, the written word, my Christian duty. I stressed myself out, trying to “rightly divide the word of truth.” In some ways, these writing commands seem akin to Mosaic Law; they remind me how much I need God to equip and enable me on a daily basis. While others fair enormously well with their gifts and talents, I can do nothing apart from His Holy Spirit.
Take a look at these; see what you think. Next post we’ll discuss which ones I’d change. Can you guess? Praying that God will fulfill His purposes in us as we abide in Him, not just for writing, but all of life.
1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and let that love precede all you do or say. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Every word you write shall be offered in a spirit of love and respect for your readers. (Matthew 22:37-39
2. Your words shall help make disciples of your readers; you will use Scripture to teach them to obey all that Jesus has commanded. (Matthew 29:18-20)
3. You shall be a perpetual, disciplined student of the Word of God, one who daily immerses himself in the truth, rather than one who merely tastes of it. (Isaiah 50:4)
4. You shall pray regularly and fervently for God’s wisdom and direction, for your readers, and for the editors to whom you write. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
5. You shall remain humble in the knowledge that you are redeemed by Grace and that what you write glorifies the Father, not yourself. (1 Cor. 14:37)
6. You shall “rightly handle the Word of God.” (II Timothy 2:15)
7. You shall not bore your reader; but you shall be intellectually challenging, presenting your writing skillfully and in a timely manner. (Romans 15:15)
8. You shall not preach to your reader; rather, establish common ground, presenting your writing skillfully and in a timely manner. (I Corinthians 9:19-23)
9. You shall avoid divisiveness among Christians; rather, encourage unity among believers of all Christians denominations. (Romans 16:17-18)
10. You shall be well-read, a student of many great writers, both secular and religious. (Proverb 1:5.7)
What new thing is God calling you to do this year that requires creativity? What about this week?
I think about this a lot lately. Your family and certain friends may not understand, but I understand. More importantly, God understands. And no wonder:
“The Spirit moves in us, giving us the mind of Christ that feeds our creative life. This abundance is scary; it is deeper than we can imagine. What would we do if we were epxeriencing God continually, available in every minute to use our abilities fully for him? It is too much for our little selves to handle. So don’t handle it. Do the thing God has put in front of you. Start there and be fully available to the new thing he will acomplish as you do it.” ~
The Creative Life: A Workbook for Unearthing the Christian Imagination
“Faith in small things has repercussions that ripple all the way out. In a huge, dark room a little match can light up a place.” ~ Joni Eareckson Tada
“You will find as you look back upon your life, that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.” ~ Henry Drummond
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love.” ~ Sophia Loren
“Take your needle, my child, and work at your patten; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that; one stitch at a time taken patiently, and the pattern will come out all right like embroidery.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
“Live your life while you have it. Life is a splendid gift - there is nothing small about it.” ~Florence Nightingale
“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher
The chocolate layer reminds us that we are sinful.
The red layer reminds us that Jesus shed his blood for our sins.
The white frosting reminds us that Jesus has given us a clean heart.
The green layer reminds us to grow in Christ.
The yellow decorations remind us of heaven.
The candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World.
“Here, let me pour you a cup of hot tea. No, no trouble. But you seem a little blah. Tired, maybe? Something’s bothering you - I can tell. Let’s just sit here, be together, and sip on this apple-cinnamon tea. I’m really glad you dropped by. Hey, don’t go acting all cheery for my sake. We’re friends - remember? Tell me, what’s on your mind?”
And so it goes. Christmas: “Tis the season to be jolly!” We try, but circumstances beg to differ. Gumdrops and mistletoe clash with disappointment, pain. I’m thinking today of those whose holiday has been broadsided with unexpected grief. These things don’t take a holiday, do they? So many close to me are dealing with relational problems, job loss, cancer treatments, and stunned disbelief over changes out of their control. I don’t blame them for not feeling the fa-la-la.
By a certain age we realize that life’s not a sleigh ride. Life here is tough. But earth is not our home; we’re pilgrims Homeward bound. Even when it feels like a jerky roller-coaster ride with loud clanging bells trailing behind us, as believers, Christ Jesus is with us. My heart’s easily taken with temporal concerns, even in trying to comfort others. In a holiday rush, I catch myself missing the Hand that reaches for me, all the while needing His restorative touch. Slow down, I tell myself. We desperately need Him, don’t we?
You are not alone. Neither am I.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 37: 14
What’s crowding your heart right now? Shopping? Parties? Gift-wrapping? Maybe something is crushing your heart. Loneliness. Health. Finances. A broken relationship. I hear you. More importantly, the Lord hears you. And He is Immanuel, “God with us”… so very close to us.
Pull away from the noise; sense His nearness. Know that only He can heal what hurts, so let Him. Let Him in, surrender the tough, turn to His beating heart. We do that every time we confess our need, open His Word, and wait for inward strengthening through the power of His Holy Spirit.
This is why Jesus came - to impart His Life in the midst of our difficulty.
I’m praying for you. Can I pour you another cup?
