City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

^“20 But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:20-24

“³ But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

II Corinthians 11:3

Reflection

As an instructor I have had to learn how to consider the student. There are many learning styles, but often there are common stumbling blocks to learning. One of my favorite teaching methods is to make the student fall into every one of these common traps.  There is an uncommon pleasure in seeing a student fall into them and then realize the nature of the problem. They are transformed from victim to victor. They go from being owned by the problem to owning it. It is the type of lesson not easily forgotten. But the consequences if making these mistakes are small, have the benefit of decreasing the likelihood of repeating them.

However, the craftiness of the serpent, using the same technique, yielded a different outcome. Only part of the story was presented, so Eve’s judgement was impaired for the moment, and she fell into this trap that is not so common.  The choice was presented as simple, but it resulted in many complications. Unfortunately, for this lesson, while eyes were opened and knowledge of the problem was gained, the mistake was to her doomed and was to be repeated over and over by all who were to follow. The student was transformed from glory to gloom.

But Christ

Application

I know that this sounds like a rather abrupt ending to a reflection, but it is intentional.  The end of your gloom is remarkably simple and abrupt. Christ. It is not more complicated than that. The simple devotion to Christ, His likeness, and the His Kingdom (note the Oxford comma.) You see, God intends you to be a particular thing, and for you to be that thing He must have His way with your life. The best way, really the only way, for that to happen is for you to submit; submit to what Jesus taught and what the Holy Spirit leads. No other ingredients are needed. If someone offers you Jesus plus a book, or Jesus plus a program, or Jesus plus an apple, then they are not offering you Jesus at all. So, live your life, read your Bible, and attend to whatever the Lord puts on your heart.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I have been pursuing many things that distract me from Your plans for me. I pray that You give me the grace to recognize the distractions and the strength to put them away. To the praise of Your glory and grace. Amen.