Changing Lives By Changing Hearts

My facebook friend and preaching colleague, Edwin Crozier, has apparently been reading a book by Dallas Willard this week entitled, “Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ,”

Edwin has posted several quotes from Willard to challenge our thinking about our Christian discipleship, the condition of our heart and our motives. I found them thought provoking. I hope you will too.

“So–and this is of utmost importance to those who would enter Christian spiritual formation–life as normally understood, where the object is securing myself, promoting myself, indulging myself, is to be set aside.” –Dallas Willard

Me thinks this is more of a challenge than most of us are willing to admit. It’s one thing to talk about “being crucified with Christ’ (Gal. 2:20), to read the verse, and teach the text, but quite another to really put self to death.

A serious reflection of the lyrics of Theodore Monod’s hymn, ”None of Self and All of Thee.” might prove a helpful exercise.

“Much of what is called Christian profession today involves no remorse or sorrow at all over who one is or even for what one has done. There is little awareness of being lost or of a radical evil in our hearts, bodies, and souls–which we must get away from and from which only God can deliver us.”

“To manifest such awareness today would be regarded–and certainly by most Christians as well–as psychologically sick. It is common today to hear Christians talk of their ‘brokenness.’ But when you listen closely, you may discover that they are talking about their wounds, the things they have suffered, not about the evil that is in them.” –Dallas Willard

King David is a good example to see the connection between true brokenness, and a contrite heart.  Following his confession of sin with Bathsheba, David was truly broken. Psalm 51 reflects his realization of sin’s seriousness, when He cried to the Lord, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight — “

A man or woman after God’s own heart will soon see the evil that may have consumed them and truly admit it. Confess it. And turn from it.

“Now I must say something you can be mad at me about. A fundamental mistake of the conservative side of the American church today, and much of the Western church, is that it takes as its basic goal to get as many people ready to die and go to heaven…It aims to get people into heaven rather than to get heaven into people…”

“Now the project thus understood and practiced is self-defeating. It implodes upon itself because it creates groups of people who may be ready to die but clearly are not ready to live…”

“…The way to get as many people into heaven as you can is to get heaven into as many people as you can–that is, to follow the path of genuine spiritual transformation or full-throttle discipleship to Jesus Christ.”  –Dallas Willard

Willard’s observation reminds me of an observation I heard years ago. It’s easy to claim we would die for Christ, but for most of us there is little or no chance of that occuring. So the more pressing question is “Would we live for Christ.” Or as Willard challenges us to really live with a heavenward focus.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:1-4).

Finally, Edwin shared that this quote from Willard may be his “favorite book quote ever.” “Breakfast is a good idea, and I do not plan to give it up because Hindus practice it.”

This is a good thought for pastors, preachers, and church leaders when planning the work of the church. Let’s not dismiss a good idea just because other people, with whom we might disagree practice it. Rather, is it scriptural? Does it edify? Will it help disciple people? Does it assist in fulfilling God’s purpose?

Thanks, Edwin, for sharing these quotes. Looks like I’ve just added another book to my Amazon “wish list.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman