Spiritual Formation (Spiritual Friendship part 2)

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… Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you… (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, Gen. 12:1)

Boaz replied to [Ruth], “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. (Ibid. Ruth 2:11)

           In the last blog, we began to look at the relationship between Naomi and Ruth, and because of what we find in the Ruth narrative, we can see how one person can help to affect  another person’s spiritual formation.  With the benefit of hindsight, we can see that this relationship led to Ruth becoming a progenitor in the Davidic line (Ruth 4:13-17); i.e., leaving her pagan origins and joining with Naomi was the catalyst that put her in the matriarchal line of the Messiah (Matt. 1:5).

            

          Although their period in the history of Israel is quite different, there are striking similarities between the Abraham story and Ruth’s story.  Both were pagans in their homelands (Josh. 24:2).  Abraham lived as an alien in a foreign land as did Ruth.  Interestingly, where Abraham has direct encounters with God to give him instructions and guidance (Gen. 17), Ruth has Naomi to guide and direct her (Ruth 2:22, 3:1-5).  Keep in mind, the Ruth narrative has for its backdrop the period of the Judges.  A time when people did what was right in their own eyes.  This period in Israel's history sounds very similar to our modern experience.

           Therefore, the spiritual friendship between Naomi and Ruth has great value to modern readers.  Imagine how strange the pre-monarchy structure of Israel would have been to an outsider, like Ruth.  This same sense of strangeness can exist when someone with no background in the Bible attempts to understand Christianity.

            

           As has been previously mentioned, the Ruth story happens during the period of the Judges.  The book of Judges is often misrepresented in our modern day because people have failed to understand its descriptive nature and mistook it for prescriptive.  If a person misunderstands the book in such a way, it is difficult to see its value and purpose.  That is where spiritual friendships are incredibly valuable.  Someone with a biblical background can guide and direct someone new in the scriptures.

            

           This is, of course, only one example of the value of spiritual friendships. Next week, we’ll continue our exploration of this topic. (Click here for Part 3)

Written by Pastor Ozzy

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Works Cited

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.

Spiritual Formation (Spiritual Friendship part 1)

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But Ruth said [to Naomi], “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, Ruth 1:16)

Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life. (Ibid. 1 Sam. 20:17)

            We are relational creatures, and the need for relationship is seen even in the Garden of Eden.  There the Lord God observed that the man should not be alone and when there was no suitable partner for the man, God created the woman (Gen. 2:18-22).  Thus, there was a right relationship between the creator and the creation and right relationship within the creation.  This is still a need we have today.  Why are there dating websites?  Why are there social media websites?  Why do most restaurants have tables with more than one chair?  Without giving tacit approval to dating websites, it is because we are social creatures and we seek relationships.  We seek to continue relationships, and we seek to nourish relationships.

As has already been cited, the Bible has many stories that revolve around relationships, and although, cultural norms may have changed, the basic concept remains the same.  There seems to have been an implicit spiritual connection between Naomi, who was an Israelite and Ruth, who was a Moabite.  Moabites were the descendants of Lot and his elder daughter (Gen. 19:37) and there was always war between the Israelites and the Moabites.  You may recall the episode when Balak king of Moab hired the Mesopotamia diviner, Balaam to curse Israel as they were trying to enter the promised land (Num. 22-24).  Although we are not told in detail why Ruth was willing to abandon her people and her god Chemosh, she chose to follow Naomi back into Israel, saying to her, “… your God [shall be] my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Notwithstanding, the fact that Naomi and her family had left the land of Israel due to famine (1:1) and when in the land of Moab, her husband and sons died, all of this would seem in the ancient mind to be a punishment from God.  Moreover, Naomi herself seems to have felt some distance from the God of Israel, since she wanted to be called Mara, which meant the Almighty has afflicted me (1:20).  Yet, there was something about Naomi’s faith in the God of Israel that attracted Ruth to the worship of Yahweh.

So, in this series, we’ll explore the topic of Spiritual Friendship and how it can relate to our Spiritual Formation. (Click here for Part 2)

Written by Pastor Ozzy

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Works Cited

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.

Spiritual Formation (Spiritual Reading part 1)

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♫ I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God, He calls me friend ♪ (Houghton 2004)

“… encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,”… (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, Hebrews 3:13)

            For close to 1,985 years there have been Christians trying to follow Jesus.  Throughout those years, many Christians have left their writings, telling of their Spiritual Formation; although we may not agree on some issues, their writing can still inspire and instruct our lives today.  Without neglecting the nourishment that comes from personal time in the word of God, let us explore some of the writings that have come down to us from these Christians.  Many of them never knew what a car or an airplane was, some of them would not understand the internet; but they knew what it was to try to live their lives for God.

            Gregory of Nyssa was a Christian who lived during the fourth-century AD, and was known for his work, The life of Moses.  In this he wrote that Moses was God’s friend and serves as an example for us to copy (Gregory of Nyssa, 136).  Consider this passage:

… it is time for you, noble friend, to look to that example and, by transferring to your own life what is contemplated through spiritual interpretation of the things spoken literally, to be known by God and to become his friend.  This is true perfection: not to avoid a wicked life because like slaves we servilely fear punishment, nor to do good because we hope for rewards, as if chasing in on virtuous life by some business-like and contractual arrangement.  On the contrary, disregarding all those things for which we hope and which heave been reserved by promise, we regard falling from God’s friendship as the only thing dreadful and we consider becoming God’s friend the only thing worthy of honor and desire (Ibid. 137).

Although specifically Gregory was focused on Moses’ friendship with God (Exodus 33:11), we also hear Jesus’ words, “You are my friend, if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).  Motivation is a powerful tool and Gregory points out that there can be wrong motivations regarding our friendship with God.  The scriptures say that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7), but Gregory did not think that fear of punishment was an adequate motivator for seeking God’s friendship.  Instead, friendship with God was the only thing worth seeking and this not merely motivated by hope of gain, but because it can lead to what Gregory called the perfect life.

            

            Perhaps, you can reflect on this thought of God’s friendship as you also reflect on “[God] who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, 2 Timothy 1:9). Consider reading the Life of Moses by Gregory of Nyssa and next week, we’ll look at another Christian’s writings.

Written by Pastor Ozzy

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Works Cited

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.

Houghton, Israel. 2004. "Friend of God." Live from Another Level.

Nyssa, Gregory Bishop of. 1978. Gregory of Nyssa. New York: Paulist Press.

Spiritual Formation (Prayer Life Part 6 Unanswered) Final

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But now, O Lord, You are our Father,
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand. (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, Isaiah 64:8)

In the United States, you can go to a bank or other lending institution and apply for a loan.  If the institution rejects your application, they are required to give some indication as to why they rejected your application.  God on the other hand, is not required to give any reason why one of your prayer requests was denied.  How many parents in world history have said no to something their child has asked for?  If you’re a parent, have you always given a full and detailed reason to your child?  If you’re a child or have been a child and had a parent deny your requests, did you always understand why?  Moreover, if they did explain why, were you always satisfied with their answers?

            As was pointed out in Part 3, one of the most common illustrations of our relationship with God found in scripture is the father-child relationship.  In fact, in the sermon on the mount, Jesus uses this illustration regarding prayer, “…[W]hat man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? … If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him”(Matthew 7:9 & 11 NASB).  Jesus’ words paint a picture of God as a good and loving Father who wants to provide for His children.  So, again, why does it seem that some prayers go unanswered?

            We’ve seen from Biblical passages, that prayers may be unanswered because we pray with wrong motives.  Also, sins and lack of repentance separates us from God, so much so, He’s even said that He won’t listen to some people’s prayers.  Some passages portray prayer as a struggle and like other spiritual disciplines (fasting, scriptural meditation, sitting quietly with God, etc.) there is purpose in the struggle.  Moreover, prayer is not an Aladdin’s lamp and God is not a genie just waiting for wish requests.  In His Gethsemane prayers, Jesus submitted His requests to the will of God; that is, He did not demand His own way, but accepted the will of His Father.  From this, we should also see that our prayers should always be submitted to the will of God.

            Therefore, perhaps, we experience unfruitfulness in our prayers for one or more of these reasons.  Examining our prayers based on scripture is one way for us to submit our minds, our desires and our lives to God.  If Spiritual Formation (Christ being formed in us) is our goal, then as difficult as it may be, unanswered prayers can be how God is reaching into our inner selves.  Keep praying.  Examine your prayers in the light of scriptures.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.*

Written by Pastor Ozzy

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Works Cited

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.

* There are other scriptures that we did not cover, such as 1 Pet. 3:7 that suggests the way a man treats his wife may hinder his prayers.  And Daniel 10:12-14, where something, likely a satanic force impeded the response to Daniel's prayers.  Therefore, we must not forget, we have an enemy of our souls, who is not flesh and blood and his goal is the kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).

Spiritual Formation (Relationship with God part 2)

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“… [Simon Peter] fell down at Jesus’s feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, Luke 5:8)

“… [A] man ran up to Him and knelt before [Jesus], and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” … Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “… go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. (Mark 10:17-22 NASB)

            

          Our last blog mentioned that new, old, steady, strained, and broken relationships are a universal experience of the human condition.  Perhaps we remember a childhood friend that we’ve not seen or heard from in decades.  Those kinds of relationships are relationships in name only, with no actual current association.  In the above scriptures, we meet Simon Peter and a nameless man, both of whom it’s safe to assume are second-temple Jews[i].  Peter’s story happens before he is designated an apostle (Mt. 10:2) and after he, Andrew, James and John had fished all night, but caught nothing.  Then by listening to Jesus, they catch so many fish their boat begins to sink (Lk. 5:7).  This makes Peter aware that Jesus is someone important.  Based on his confession, it is likely he understood Jesus to be a holy person, possibly a prophet of God.

          On the other hand, the anonymous man comes to Jesus seeking eternal life.  This story appears in all three of the Synoptic Gospels.  We can see that he is a religious person, saying that since his youth he has obeyed the commandments (Lk. 18:20-21).  However, he is not able to part with his riches and turns away, not following Jesus.  The man’s question regarding eternal life reveals that he was influenced more by Pharisaic Judaism than Sadduceeic Judaism, since they didn't believe in life after death (Mt. 22:23).  All of this to make it clear, that this is a person who knows there is a God and even has some right beliefs about Him.

          It could be stated then, that since their infancy, both Peter and this man had a covenantal relationship with the God of Israel.  It seems that both had a genuine belief in God through their religion.  Both were called from an old relationship into a deeper relationship, but what kept the man from answering yes?  Perhaps we could all reflect on our relationship with God and ask, is it an old relationship, or even a relationship in name only?

          We could continue surveying types of relationships with God from the scriptures. Samuel or Enoch could be examples of a steady relationship.  Moses or Elijah could be examples of strained.  The kingdom periods of both Israel and Judah could be examples of broken, and to examine these would give us great insight. However, starting next week, we’ll begin exploring how we have relationship with God through communication, starting first with hearing from God through His word. 

Written by Pastor Ozzy

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.

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[i] Second-temple Judaism is a designation for Jewish traditions between 538 BC and AD 70, this was the time of the second temple.  It was constructed after the Jews returned from exile and was destroyed by Titus Vespasian during the Jewish Roman wars.

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Spiritual Formation (Relationship with God)

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Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. (Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible, Gen. 3:22-23)

The purpose of the Edenic expulsion was to prevent eating from the tree of life and thereby to live forever in a fallen state; however, it has also cause us to forget that we were created for relationship with God.  Almost everyone has new, old, steady, strained, and broken relationships, these are universal experiences.  These relationships can also be seen in the Bible.  Notice that unlike Noah (Gen. 5:7-29), it seems when Abraham is called there is no reason from the Genesis account to assume Abraham already had a relationship with God.  In fact, there are ancient Jewish legends outside of the Bible that Abraham’s father Terah was an idol maker (Ginzberg, Kindle location 2061)[1].

            Therefore, it seems that the Lord’s relationship with Abram (Gen. 12) is a new relationship.  In a new relationship, there is learning about each other.  Notice that Abram believed God when He promised a biological child (Gen. 15).  However, when Abram tried according to his will to bring about its fulfillment, his action of polygamy (Gen. 16:1-4) mirrored the practices of the ungodly line of Cain (Gen. 4:19).  On the contrary, it was God’s intention for Abram’s first wife Sarai to be the mother of the child of promise.  Could this be a case of Abram needing to know the Lord better?

            

            There may be another example when Abraham is tested by the Lord (Gen. 22).  In a classic movie, when the Lord tests Abraham, he questions Him, “Are you really the Lord my God?” (Scott 1966).  However, consider that Abraham was called out of a pagan and idolatrous culture.  To us, human sacrifices sound like a barbaric ritual of the unenlightened, but to Abraham, was it a normal religious practice from his culture?  Perhaps, when the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham and stopped him from sacrificing (Gen. 21:15-16), God was revealing more of His character to Abraham.  Was He saying, “You imagine a god similar to the gods of your culture; however, I AM a God much different than those gods worshiped by the pagans.”

            

            Therefore, in the new relationship, Abraham had to learn who God really was.  In like manner, we may follow the gods of our culture, or we can learn from the Bible about the character and nature of the true and living God.

Written by Pastor Ozzy

Ginzberg, Louis. 2011. Legends of the Jews. Amazon Digital Services LLC.

1995. Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. LaHabra: The Lockman Foundation.

1966. The Bible: In The Beginning. Directed by John Huston. Performed by George C. Scott.

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[1] This type of Midrash is called Aggadah (lore) and was never understood literally and is not doctrine.


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