Gregg's Weekly Rest Stop (October 4, 2010)

Published: Mon, 10/04/10

Journey in Christ

FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY

Gregg's Weekly Rest Stop

October 4, 2010

Appropriate Grammar

Put on the new man

created according to God

in righteousness and holiness

(Ephesians 4:24)

I've been attending a Bible study at a facility that houses men being freed from addictions. The men have graduated from Haven of Rest's rescue mission and have committed to a one-year discipleship program based on the same Christ-centered truths as Journey in Christ's discipleship counseling and training.

I want to grow in relating to such men. Ministry is through relationships. Just me being at the study with the men ministers to them. And the men minister to me as I witness their attentiveness and responses to the truths...a true work of the Lord.

The Bible study teacher is a country gentlemen who passionately teaches. At a recent study, he taught on how to appropriate (to receive and to experience) truths. He said the verb appropriate (pronounced uh-pro-pree-ate) means:

"It's yours, take it!"

I immediately recognized this statement as simple yet so profound. Later, after much pondering, I shared this with a friend, and we realized that the verb appropriate is associated with the adjective appropriate (pronounced uh-pro-pree-it).

The verb appropriate means to receive and to welcome into your life something that is your very own. The adjective appropriate means what you have received is fitting for you, i.e., it is appropriate for you.

Ephesians 4:22 and 24 says to "put off the old man" (spiritual grave clothes) and to "put on the new man" (spiritual grace clothes). This is a call for us to appropriate (the verb) what is already ours.

Note: I wrote the terms "grave clothes" and "grace clothes" in the margin of my Bible, but I don't recall who gave me the terms. I love these terms.

For years I sought to put on, i.e., to appropriate (the verb), the new man from the outside just as I do my physical clothes. However, it is most appropriate (the adjective) to put on my grace clothes from the inside, i.e., from the deepest inside of my being...my spiritual heart.

You see, the finished work of Christ has made me a complete new man in my heart, and now I can appropriate (the verb) from Christ, who indwells my new heart, all of His resources for my needs and His glory.

For example, I no longer have to strain and strive to put on hope, joy, etc. from the outside world. These no longer fit and are increasingly uncomfortable.

I can receive all of Christ's hope, joy, etc. from my inside life with Christ all of the time! These may not fit my feelings all of the time, but they do fit me (i.e., who I really am at heart) perfectly. These grace clothes bring me comfort and warmth.

Discipleship is leading others to put on their grace clothes.

And Christ Himself is our hope, joy, etc! He's given Himself to you. Go ahead. He's yours, take Him! Clothe yourself with His presence. His presence transforms.

May we appropriately appropriate Christ's rest during this Rest Stop!