Comments on: The Aims of Jesus: Part 2- Fear is the Victory

By: John W Frye

John W Frye — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:16:56 +0000

DC,
You raise a very real and current issue, but what you took away from the last paragraph isn’t exactly what I was addressing. The church in Acts fearlessly engaged (a sometime hostile) culture; they did not hunker down and just try to survive. Now, your concern: fear of the model in Acts of Christian living. I suggest we take the early church’s behaviors seriously and then (this is key) surrender to the leading of the Spirit in the context of a missional community. The model does not become a new “command” to tightly dictate our behavior, but a vision into which we step as guided by God’s Spirit as we participate in the community that primarily exists for those who are *not* in it.

By: DC

DC — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:35:27 +0000

John-
Forgive me if I appear inept, but a lot of that went WAY over my head. I just read your 4 blogs and it’s got me thinking. The last paragraph resonated with me a bit on this one and it has to do with the idea of fear in relation to the book of Acts. I know you describe fear in a defensive manner. However, I think the average Christian reads Acts and is scared not only by the implications of christian living set as an example, but that we by no means live up to that “standard”. I certainly am terrified by the idea that I should have to sell my home and possessions. It’s safer to encounter the situation as a concept than a story. A concept can be rationalized, and broken down as an openness to the will of God by serving others. The story says “do it” in a literal manner. And what about if I do, and keep some of it for myself, I really tick God off to where he might kill me and my wife! You’ve always provided a lot of insight. Am I looking at this wrong, or am I holding back from God?

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