Any discussion of the anatomy of discipleship would be incomplete without spending some time exploring the skeletal structure that provides the form and framework for all the other vital functions. Both our physical and spiritual skeletons are hidden from sight, but they are vital, extremely relevant and should not be ignored. Likewise just as our physical skeleton grows as we mature so also our spiritual skeletal system must develop if it is to support the weight and activity of adulthood.
I suggest that there are three key components to our spiritual skeleton: Reconciliation, Adoption, and Naturalization. These three form an integrated framework for our new identity in Christ. They are a both a gift and a birthright given through faith in Christ. Each one involves a transaction that forms our new identity. Each one is amazingly wonderful, critical, and complex.
As we continue to develop our personal spiritual health, as well as help others develop theirs, we need to periodically do a bone scan and check for osteoporosis. Bone loss can lead to problems when we least expect it. A spiritual diagnostic scan is more than asking, “Am I born again?”, “Have I prayed the sinner’s prayer?”, or “Have I invited Jesus into my heart?” It involves examining the strength of our major skeletal structure.
1. RECONCILIATION is the means by which we are reconnected with our Creator. Our relationship with Him had been severed by sin and our rebellious hearts made us worthy of God’s condemnation. Reconciliation is how God has brought us back into right relationship with Him through the saving work of Jesus Christ.
As Paul wrote, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2Cor. 5:18).
Reconciliation is the heart of the Gospel message and as such is like our spine; it supports everything else. If our understanding of reconciliation is weak or broken, discipleship is vulnerable. For example, if our understanding of the Gospel and salvation is that it is a get out of jail (hell) free card or a quick fix for our hurts, hang-ups, and habits, it is like having spiritual Spina Bifita. Such a belief system creates an underdeveloped and weak spinal structure that is inadequate to support the life God intends us to live.
Reconciliation involves several key ideas that are often misunderstood in our current Christian culture: forgiveness, pardon, and judgment. Sloppy thinking on these concepts weakens the spine and causes spiritual chronic pain, loss of strength, and even paralysis. We will look at these more closely in the next few blogs.
2. ADOPTION is another part of our spiritual skeletal structure and is the reason we have a Father/child relationship with God. Not only does adoption make God our Father, but it also makes other people of faith our extended family and Jesus Christ is our elder brother. As part of His family we are now His heirs and joint heirs with Christ.
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are (1 John 3:1).
Notice that John is saying we are not just called children of God; we actually ARE His children. He is not saying we are naturally born children of God, as liberal theology proposes, but rather we are adopted into God’s family through faith and repentance. Family status is now our birthright. Understanding what that means and living accordingly is how we honor that birthright.
3. NATURALIZATION is the third part of our spiritual skeleton. Naturalization is the “act of making someone a legal citizen of a country that they were not born in” (Cambridge Dictionary).
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13-14).
The privilege of citizenship in God’s kingdom was central to the message Jesus preached during His ministry on earth. He announced that He is the door – the entrance – into this new kingdom (Mark 1:35; John 10:9). It is essential that we adapt our lives to fit into His kingdom which is what our journey of discipleship is all about.
Embracing the gospel should lead naturally to the question, “How do I learn to live in this new, invisible, yet real country?” This is not a simple question. Saints through the millennia have wrestled with it. How do we live in, but not of, this world? How do we contribute as aliens and strangers to a world that is no longer our home? This kingdom transfer is now a part of our new identity and should motivate us to live as good citizens.
Notice that spiritual naturalization requires that we relinquish our allegiance (our old passport) to gain a new one. There are no duel citizenships in God’s kingdom. Repentance means turning from (rejecting) the ungodly rebellion of this world and transferring our allegiance to the kingdom of God. Our new spiritual country has different values, laws, freedoms, responsibilities and currency than our old one. We still live in the old kingdom, but it is no longer our home. Discipleship is learning how to live in our new kingdom.
An earthly example might be Roman citizenship. Historically it was a trump card that opened doors and provided protection. Anywhere in the Roman Empire, if you identified yourself as a Roman citizen, you had the power and privileges of the Empire at your disposal. But citizenship also expected the person to live in a way that honored Rome. Privilege carries responsibility.
Reconciliation, adoption, and naturalization are gifts that we live out of; they are not ones we live to gain. In other words, we do not do good works to gain reconciliation, adoption, or naturalization. Rather, as we live in accordance with them, they are the basis for our new identity and they give us freedom, confidence, and courage to pursue our relationship with God as friends, children, and citizens of His kingdom.
Over the next several blogs, I want to explore and strengthen our spiritual skeleton.
Questions for reflection:
How do you see yourself most of the time? What forms your identity? How prevalent is the idea of friend, child, and citizen?
This is very good, Ron! All 3 aspects of our spiritual skeleton are very important and I accept and enjoy them!!