Friday, October 30, 2009

The Dynamic In Christian Spiritual Formation



Behind Every Sin


There Is Temptation [peirasmos]

Behind Every Temptation [peirasmos]**

There is a Test [peirasmos]

Behind Every Test [peirasmos]

There is intended godly Wisdom and Illumination

Behind godly Wisdom and Illumination

There is Awareness For Divine Direction

Behind Awareness and Divine Direction

There is True Fulfillment for our
Dire Personal Needs...

(Because of Our Depravity, Brokenness & Woundedness)*

Behind the Fulfillment of Our True Needs

There is Peace [Shalom] & Restoration [Imago Dei]**

Apart From These...

There is only Our Falleness

Behind Our Falleness

There is Only SUFFERING & DEATH****


Note*

Depravity = The Will & Desire To Sin
Brokenness = The Image of God is Damaged
Woundedness = What Others Do To Us That
Accelerates & Intensifies Our Depravity &
Brokenness

Note: **

Cornelius Plantinga offers the following comments and definition of "Shalom."

"This webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets called shalom. We call it "peace," but it means far more than than just peace of mind or cease-fire between enemies. (As a matter of fact, the area-over which two armies may declare a cease fire-fire may be acres of smoldering ruins.) In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight - a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, all under the arch of God's love. Shalom, in other words, is the way things are supposed to be."


Note***

That which is in Red represents "Sin Management"
This is where most Christians live out their entire faith

That which is in Green represents: "The Inner
Life In Christ"

rsg 10/30/2009


1 comment:

Lori said...

Truth is a balm that burns and hurts at first but brings cooling and healing as it works to restore perfection.