“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”   Philippians 3:13

    I would define “spiritual success” as the fervent, consistent, and daily pursuit of knowing and growing in Jesus Christ; being increasingly transformed into His image while reflecting the nature, holiness, and will of God at our very core in such an obvious way that it would result in physical manifestations of Biblical Christ-likeness; and continuing the course until the day we die and are made perfectly complete in Christ.  In the simplest of response “spiritual success” is becoming more like Jesus in heart, mind, and body every single day until we, like Ephesians 4 states, “attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” 

    I do not believe that it is humanly possible to completely attain to the fullness of Christ in finality as long as we operate upon this earth, but instead will be made complete in Christ only upon death as the “mortal gives way to the immortal” (1 Corinthians 15:53).  I do however, firmly support the fact that the overall product is currently and continually under construction by the power of the Holy Spirit and that at any given time I can attain to the fullness of that which God desires of my life, at any given point within the timeline of my life, despite the limitations of the flesh.  This is possible through the yielding and surrendering of self while grasping fully what God has for me in Christ and experiencing the increase of being made more alive in Him as He is made more alive in me!  It is but a glance (or a scratch of the surface) of the final product which is to come but I am confident that Jesus wouldn't have instructed us to pray “Your kingdom (authority) come, Your will (desires) be done on earth (in my life) as it is in heaven (perfection)” in Matthew 6 if it were not possible to experience the gravity of such proclamations while upon this earth in connection to “spiritual success” or personal discipleship.

    However the danger we face in defining “spiritual success” is the fact that our finite mind and earthly flesh tend to limit or hinder the process in light of our own personal experiences or understandings by which we in turn legalistically cast a “dumbed down Christianity” upon others.  We must be careful that we do not allow our own personal growth patterns, experiences, or even traditions to become the instruments or standards by which we measure others.  Instead the call to make disciples is a charge to lead others to measure themselves according to the transformational power and standard of Jesus Christ (in light of Scripture) and in doing so help them to experience “spiritual success” for themselves.  I believe this is in alignment with Philippians 2:12-13 when Paul instructs the Philippians “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose.”  Grace does not allow me to work out my eternal salvation (since it is unmerited favor), but it forces me to work out what that salvation looks like in my own life as I become more and more like Christ.

    Therefore, “spiritual success” could be expanded in definition “as the obtaining to the fullness of that which God expects and requires of an individual life at any given point within that life journey which may or may not be universal in nature as that individual follows Christ.”

    As a father, I expect my 6-year old, 1^st grade son to operate and express the maturity of that which I know he is able, capable and equipped to accomplish and at times even exceed.  I do not determine the standard of measurement by formulas or even the generalization of other 1^st graders, but instead from a personal involvement in his life.  For me to expect less would rob him of certain joys, experiences, and understandings while at the same time to expect the abilities, intellect, and empowerment of his older, 5^th grade brother, or even worse a fully grown man is absurd, abusive, and destructive.  As Christians, we have been given the overall goal (for the image of Christ to be reflected flawlessly from our being) but only the Father (who knows us intimately) can define at any given time what true “spiritual success” looks like at any specific point in our lives.  Thankfully God faithfully reveals these things to us through His Word and the workings of the Holy Spirit as we seek Him faithfully being held in account to that which He desires of our lives, not necessarily the desires of others.

    In conclusion, we have the universal truth of Christ-likeness for all, but the personalized plan of how "spiritual success" is accomplished comes as a result of intimacy with the Father.  I believe this truth is further supported in John 21 when John records the interaction of Peter and Jesus on the seashore.  Jesus instructs Peter to follow Him to the death and upon hearing such a challenge Peter inquires of his friend, John, in which Jesus states in verse 22, “If I want him to remain alive until I return what is that to you? You follow me.”  In other words I believe Jesus was saying to Peter, “My plan for his life is really none of your business, your focus needs to be on following me (discipleship).”  How often do we seek to compare ourselve to others or desire the calling of someone else? Both were called to Christ-likeness and even to die for the faith (universal to all Christians), both accomplished great things for the Kingdom of God and we could draw numerous generalizations from their lives that help guide us towards being more like Jesus, and both men are defined as dynamic, mature followers of Christ.  However, specific “spiritual success” for Peter did not necessarily match what “spiritual success” was for John.  With this said I agree we should stop and figure out in practical terms what God expects of us (personally) while avoiding the dangers of being Pharisaical in proclaiming clear, measurable definitions of “spiritual success” apart from the simple reality of becoming more like Christ (being Jesus in our modern day and culture).  Our definitions of spirituality are too often rooted in personal preferences, earthly successes, or even man-made traditions (casting weight upon others we ourselves have not desire of carrying) and in doing so we bind people in legalism and rob them of experiencing a true, passionate and joyous daily walk with Jesus Christ. 

    As a church we may define “spiritual success” by various definitions of passion and calling but I believe the root of it must boil down to “being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.”  Reading your Bible, praying, giving, serving in ministry, fellowship together, reaching the lost, going on missions, loving others, etc. must be the result or product of “loving and following Jesus Christ.”  Spiritual success should not be defined by events, programs, or processes which do not necessarily result in true, genuine, or personal discipleship, but instead the result of transformed lives.  Our discipleship process (Accept, Connect, Equip, Serve) is designed to help people apply a practical theology to everyday living, but if you are not passionately pursuing Jesus Christ within the process you are just a better equipped or informed "prodigal of the heart."  Ultimately our goal as individuals and as a church is to produce passionate disciples of Jesus Christ who experience “the fullness of Christ” on a daily basis and then lead others to do the same which in turn should establish the standard for everything we do! Continually transformed by the power and love of Christ to the point that others experience Him and are transformed for all of eternity...that's what I call "spiritual success!"

I am one week away from completing the class, "The Practice and Theology of Discipleship" through Rockbridge Seminary which has been both a challenging and inspiring class.  One book that has been a huge help for me in the area of spiritual disciplines is "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster (a "must read").  

Each week in class we are required to make posts online concerning different discussion topics, complete reading assignments, write papers based on the reading questions, and complete additional class projects that reinforce the doctrine or practice of study.  I had to answer the following question in connection to finishing the last reading assignment paper...How do the members of your church define “spiritual success”?

I have completed the project, but for continued study I ask for your help as I place this question into your hands.

How do you define “spiritual success?" 

I look forward to receiving and hearing your responses.  God bless.

Made Alive in Christ,

Pastor Clayton

“I no longer live but Christ lives in me!”  Galatians 2:20

FBCRH I want to hear from you!

Post here to share a testimony of how God is using you to touch the lives of others with the Good News of Jesus Christ!  It could be something that is ongoing like a weekly Bible study at your work, AFEC5, or it could be a Divine Encounter from the week.

By posting you will encourage others and as followers of Christ we partner together to make Him known!

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."   Matthew 5:16

Mark Olmstead brought this article to me in light of our ongoing equip classes and “Mission Launch” (coming up in May).  It is vital that we, as followers of Christ, don’t just go to church, but instead BE THE CHURCH!

Know that as your pastor I love you and am praying for you today.  BE THE CHURCH in someone's life today!

Made Alive in Christ,

Clayton

 "Passion turns Thomas Road Church "Inside-out" by Norm Miller

http://www.baptistpress.com/BPnews.asp?ID=29442

When I was in high school I drove a Nissan Hardbody pickup and just about everyday I would put $2.00 worth of gas in it (which was just enough to get me to school, football practice, work, and home for a day or two).

The plan…if my dad wanted to take my truck to work he would have to put gas in it and his nature was to fill it up (which paid off for me a few times).

But my strategy failed if I got busy and did not stop at the gas station because there was a chance that I would run out of gas on my way to school the next morning.

After I sat stranded on the side of the road on more than one occasion waiting for my dad to bring me gas he made a new rule…if your gas tank gage goes below a ¼ of a tank at any time you will loose your keys for two weeks!

My only way to school was the bus, so I learned my lesson.

My dad forced me to learn a very valuable lesson…it’s hard to operate on fumes, you’re better prepared for what comes along when your tank is full, and you actually waste more time, resources, and energy when you fail to take time to stop and refuel.

We have become so conditioned as a society to running on fumes and ignoring the gages and warning signs of our lives that we now have levels of empty.

Jessika’s Chevy Astro actually has an electronic gage that will tell her how many miles she has left before she runs out of gas (and it is very accurate).  So the pattern goes like this...

When the regular gage hits "E"... you wait for the yellow light to start blinking...after the yellow light blinks for a while...you click the electronic gage...you change it from "Direction/ Temp" to "Distance" to view actual miles...when the "Distance” gage changes from actual miles to the word "LOW"...  You better get to a gas station soon because you are literally running on fumes.

What about our spiritual tanks? Not only are we conditioned to ignore physical warning signs, but too often we ignore the spiritual signs that tell us that we are spiritually drained.  Despite the blinking yellow light of the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts we are just too busy to stop and refuel.

As Christians, upon salvation, we are indwelled and sealed with the Holy Spirit and we are imparted the very nature of Christ, His presence, and His resurrection power! But to remain in His presence and to operate fully in His power Paul tells us in Ephesians that we must “be-being filled” or “continue on a regular basis” to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Does this mean we lose our salvation every time we sin? Does this mean that Christ departs from our lives when we act in disobedience? Absolutely Not! But like our vehicles we need regular times of refueling or much like a frozen webpage to be “refreshed.”

When we allow our flesh, will, and earthly desires to cap the ever-flowing movement of the Holy Spirit we hinder or grieve His working in our lives and the lives of those around us.  We stifle His presence, we limit His effectiveness, and we cut off the spiritual supply line that keeps us full.  We drain the tanks by continuing to operate in our own power (which is sin).  We can be guilty of this even when we are trying to do good works.

On a regular basis we must confess our sin and once again yield or surrender to the workings of the Holy Spirit.  The good works will then be the product or the fruit of the Holy Spirit working from within us, reflecting the character of Christ (Galatians 5:22)!

Sunday’s alone are not enough…make sure you take time to stop everyday (or more as needed) to refuel in the power of the Holy Spirit through personal study, devotion, confession, and prayer.  If you are running on “E” stop right now, get alone with God, and allow Him to fill you back up!

I would love to hear from you.  My question for you…What are the signs that a Christian is operating on an empty tank?

God bless as you walk and live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Made Alive in Christ,
Pastor Clayton

Solomon in all of his wisdom understood a very simple truth...two are better than one.

Two have a better return in their work then one, two have a better chance of traversing difficult terrain then one, two have a better chance of surviving a cold night than one, and two have a better chance of fighting off an attacker then one. So he came to the following conclusion...if two are better than one, how much greater are things multiplied when you add just one more to the equation?

A few things come to mind when I think of the strength of 3...the fact that we serve a Triune God (Father, Son, Spirit); we consist of mind, body, and soul; a Christian marriage full of the Holy Spirit; Jesus ministry on earth (3 years); 3 key relationships every Christian should have (a Paul – mentor, a Barnabas – accountability, a Timothy – disciple)…I could go on.

Most of all I feel the verse speaks of teamwork…the kind of teamwork that results when the identity of individuals is yielded to the successes and victories of the whole. I truly believe this level of teamwork can only be accomplished in Christ, but is demonstrated through the church when it consists of a genuine community of Christ-followers who are not only surrendered to Him individually, but also fully committed to one another and to carrying out His purposes together with unprecedented power, passion, and effectiveness while perfect in strength, unity and love.

Going back to Solomon…

How often do we try to accomplish ministry on our own only to get frustrated or “burned out”?
How often do we seek to walk difficult paths without proper prayer or the assistance of others?
How many times have we faced cold and dark times because of stubborn pride?
How often do we try to fight off the enemy or overcome temptation without the aid of accountability?

As I faced some tiresome challenges this week I was blessed by the aide of others and I thank God for their friendship and partnership in the Gospel. As I prepare for the challenges that are ahead I am reminded of a verse in Deuteronomy that speaks of “one putting a thousand to flight, two putting ten thousand to flight…” With each person added to the equation the result is exponentially multiplied!!! I call that Divine Multiplication! (Or is that what Anthony and Alissa are doing?).

Take a moment to thank God for His promises and that He is with you until the end of the age through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment to thank God for the partnership you have with His people who He has placed in your life to walk with you through life’s trials and to help accomplish the call that has been placed on your heart.

Take a moment to thank God for your church. Pray for perfect harmony, unity, and teamwork among the ministries of FBCRH. Pray for Divine Multiplication!

Made Alive in Christ,
Pastor Clayton

"I am crucified with Christ!" Galatians 2:20