February 1, 2006

My greetings come from Chicago where I am attending our denomination’s Midwinter Conference. It has been a wonderful time of refreshment and encouragement.

This morning I finished reading George Barna’s newest book entitled Revolution. Barna, an evangelical, is a prolific author and leading researcher. Revolution is stimulating and challenging as Barna examines the state of the church and compares the trends his research reveals with the biblical picture of the church as God intended it to be. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for your critical interaction.

This morning, while in the gym, I read the last chapter where Barna lists affirmations of a revolutionary. My pace quickened, and I reread the affirmations two or three times...they give language to what I would hope I, and every person who calls PCC home, would hold as core convictions.

The affirmations are listed below for your edification and meditation. Can I encourage you to print them out and review these biblical tenets often? Please don’t miss the musings and my closing comments below!

The Affirmations of a Revolutionary

I am in the service of God Almighty. My life is not my own; I exist as a free person but have voluntarily become a slave to God. My role on earth is to live as a Revolutionary, committed to love, holiness, compassion, justice and advancing God’s kingdom. My life is not about me and my natural desires; it is about knowing, loving and serving God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Therefore, I acknowledge the following:

• I am a sinner, broken by my disobedience but restored by Jesus Christ in order to participate in good works that please God. I am not perfect; but Jesus Christ makes me righteous in God’s eyes, and the Holy Spirit leads me towards greater holiness.
• God created me for His purposes. My desire is to fulfill those ends and those ends alone. When I get out of bed each day, I do so for one purpose: to love, obey and serve God and his people.
• Every breath I take is a declaration of war against Satan and a commitment to opposing him.
• God does not need me to fight his fight, but He invites me to allow Him to fight through me. It is my privilege to serve Him in that manner. I anticipate and will gladly endure various hardships as I serve God; for this is the price of participation in winning the spiritual war.
• I do not need to save the world; Jesus Christ has already done that. I cannot transform the world, but I can allow God to use me to transform some part of it.
  My commitment to the Kingdom is sealed by my complete surrender to God’s ways and His will. I will gladly do what He asks of me simply because He loves me enough to ask. I gain my security, success, and significance through my surrender to Him.
• I am called to be the Church rather than go to church. Worship is not an event I attend or a process I observe; it is the lifestyle I lead. I do not give away ten percent of my resources. I surrender 100 percent.
• God has given me natural and supernatural abilities, all intended to advance His kingdom. I will deploy those abilities for that purpose.
• The proof of my status as a Revolutionary is the love I show to God and people. There is strength in relationships; I am bound at a heart and soul level to other Revolutionaries, and I will bless believers whenever I have the chance.
• To achieve victory in the spiritual war in which we are immersed, there is nothing I must accomplish; I must simply follow Christ with everything I have. There is no greater calling than to know and serve God.
• The world is desperately seeking meaning and purpose, I will respond to that need with the Good News and meaningful service.
• Absolute moral and spiritual truth exists, is knowable and is intended for my life; it is accessible through the Bible. I want nothing more than to hear God say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
  
  I want nothing more than to hear God sayThank you, Lord God, for loving me, for saving me, for refining me, for blessing me and for including me in the work of your kingdom. My life is yours to use as you please. I love you.
  
  I will continue the Margin portion of our Thrive! series this Sunday looking at financial margin. I want to tell you from the outset: I want nothing from you as a result of this look at finances--I actually only want something for you. Come hungry on Sunday, and you can prepare by reading Malachi 3:6-12. See you on Sunday!