not been in vain

In an article by J.I. Packer, titled, ‘Crises of Faith are Yardsticks of Growth,’ available, here, he lays out some ways we can observe if we are becoming more Christ-like.

First, growth in grace means increase in humility, and in the passion for  so one’s gratitude for God’s love in salvation raises up in greater adoration.
    
Those who are growing spiritually tread in their inner life the path of punctured pride and passionate praise, and become ever more ardent in effacing themselves in order to exalt their Savior-God.
    
Second, growth in grace means increase in faith that will forfeit worldly security.
    
Fifteen years ago a man in an electronics shop said to me,  “what you have faith in is what you’d bet your life on.” He was right! Growing in faith in the God of all grace produces willingness at his call to enter situations of material insecurity and, by human thinking, of risk. Once it is clear that the call really is from God and is not just a foolhardy fancy of one’s own, those who are growing in grace will obey the summons and, as Oswald Chambers put it, “smilingly wash their hands of the consequences. “That is not irresponsibility; it is, rather, faith in action, the kind of faith by which, we are told in Hebrews,  “Abraham obeyed when he was called … and … went out, not knowing where he was to go.” Such faith sees obedience as top priority, and trusts God’s care. It embraces the path of obedience as the place of real and ultimate safety, however hazardous and indeed ruinous it may look from outside. In this sense all who grow in grace bet their lives on God constantly.
    
Third, growth in grace means increase in love that gives. Folk wisdom divides humanity into two classes, the givers and the takers, and many born-again Christians seem to remain takers rather than becoming givers. But those who are advancing into Christ-likeness renounce self-absorbed self-seeking. They actively love God and others, giving up to the limit of their time, talents, and treasure to honor God and help humans. Cheerful self-denying generosity, that gives and goes on giving even then, marks all who are growing in grace.

It is interesting to contrast Packer’s point third point with a quote I recently read by Ayn Rand;

If any civilization is to survive, it is the morality of altruism that men have to reject.

That statement is at odds with Christ-likeness.

Now, you might argue that what Rand was really advocating was not selfishness directed toward family and friends, indeed, that our love and sacrifice for them is a “positive” form of selfishness, a form of self interest-one, an argument that she made herself. Christ asks us to go beyond this. Matthew 5 addresses this “positive” selfishness;

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Verse 48 is impossible outside of the indwelling and activity of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, it is the visible fruit of the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work in us. Arthur Pink once said;

Not only is true sanctification an important, essential, and unspeakably precious thing, it is wholly supernatural.

So, Poppets, who are you becoming more like?