Many years ago, one of my friends in ministry said he thought I had an incredible amount of chutzpah. I wasn’t even sure what that meant, but later I came to find out, according to Leo Rosen’s book, The Joys of Yiddish, chutzpah is “that quality enshrined in a man who, having just killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan.” Now that is truly audacious. I hope my friend was speaking hyperbolically about me. I also hope that my confidence is in God, not conceit in myself. Confidence and courage come from being grounded and centered in our new identity in JESUS.
As the apostle Paul declares, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) This incredible theological truth is where we must find our grounding if we are to live a successful Christian life for the Lord. Paul also uses the term “In Christ” dozens of times in his writings to remind us of our union with Christ. Again, this is our center and the ground of our being as a new creation in Christ. Paul’s goal for himself and for the church is “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:29)
What does that look like? Perhaps it is what the Apostle Peter means when he says: “that we might partake of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4) That does not mean we become part of the Essence of God nor that we participate in the Energies of God. It does mean that we follow in the moral Example of God as we exhibit the communicable attributes of God in our lives.
Communicable attributes are what God allows us to share or participate in. God is love – we are to be loving. God is wisdom - we are to exhibit wisdom. God is perfectly holy - we are to demonstrate holiness in all we do. (I Peter 1:15)
Christian Chutzpa? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Enough said.
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us, Fred | 