information security 300 semester 2 2012 bentley campus int

7/29/2019 Information Security 300 Semester 2 2012 Bentley Campus INT

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=20failure of the usual Christian, in his =

country at=20the time, to be different from =

non-Christians.=20Then Law writes:

***

It may now be =

reasonably=20inquired, how it comes to pass, that the =

lives=20even of the better sort of people are thus =

strangely contrary to the principles of=20Christianity?

But before I give a =

direct answer=20to this, I desire it may also be inquired, =

how it=20comes to pass that swearing is so =

common a=20vice among Christians? It is indeed not =

yet so=20common among women, as it is among men. =

But among=20 men this sin is so common, that perhaps =there are=20

more than two in three that are guilty of =it=20

through the whole course of their =lives=85. Now I=20

ask, how comes it, that two in three of =the men=20

are guilty of so gross and profane a sin =as this=20

is? There is neither ignorance nor human =infirmity=20

to plead for it; it is against an express=20commandment, and the most plain doctrines =of our=20

blessed Savior.

Do but now find the =

reason why=20the generality of men live in this =

notorious vice,=20and then you will have found the reason =

why the=20generality even of the better sort of =

people live=20so contrary to Christianity.

The reason of common =swearing is=20this; it is because men have not so much =

as the=20intention to please God in all their =

actions. For=20let a man but have so much piety as to =

intend to=20please God in all the actions of his life, =

as the=20


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happiest and best thing in the world, and =then he=20

will never swear more. It will be as =impossible=20

for him to swear, whilst he feels this =intention=20

within himself, as it is impossible for a =man that=20

intends to please his Prince, to go up and =abuse=20

him to his face.

It seems but a small and =

necessary=20part of piety to have such a sincere =

intention as=20this; and that he has no reason to look =

upon=20himself as a disciple of Christ who is not =

thus=20far advanced in piety. And yet it is =

purely for=20want of this degree of piety, that you see =

such a=20mixture of sin and folly in the lives even =

of the=20 better sort of people. It is for want of =this=20

intention that you see men that profess =religion,=20

yet live in swearing and =sensuality; that=20

you see clergymen given to pride, and=20covetousness, and worldly enjoyments. It =

is for=20want of this intention, that you see women =

that=20profess devotion, yet living in all the =

folly and=20 vanity of dress, wasting their time in =idleness=20

and pleasures, and in all such instances =of state=20

and equipage as their estates will reach. =For let=20

but a woman feel her heart full of this =intention,=20

and she will find it as impossible to =patch or=20

paint, as to curse or swear; she will no =more=20

desire to shine at balls or assemblies, or =make a=20figure amongst those that are most finely =

dressed,=20than she will desire to dance upon a rope =

to=20please spectators: she will know, =

that the=20one is as far from the wisdom and =

excellency of=20


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the Christian spirit as the other.

It was this is general =

intention=20(to please God in all things), that made =

the=20primitive Christians such eminent =

instances of=20piety, and made the goodly fellowship of =

the=20saints, and all the glorious army of =

martyrs and=20confessors. And if you will here stop, and =

ask=20yourselves, why you are not as pious as =

the=20primitive Christians were, your own heart =

will=20tell you that it is neither through =

ignorance, nor=20inability, but purely because you never =

thoroughly=20intended it. You observe the same Sunday =

worship=20that they did; and you are strict in it, =

because=20 it is your full intention to be so. And =when you=20

as fully intend to be like them in their =ordinary=20

common life, when you intend to please God =in all=20

your actions, you will find it as =possible, as to=20

be strictly exact in the service of the =Church.=20

And when you have this intention to please =God in=20

all your actions, as the happiest and best =thing=20in the world, you will find in you as =

great an=20aversion to every thing that is vain and=20impertinent in common life, whether of =

business or=20pleasure, as you now have to any thing =

that is=20profane. You will be as fearful of living =

in any=20foolish way, either of spending your time, =

or your=20

fortune, as you are now fearful of =neglecting the=20public worship=85.

Again, let a tradesman =

but have=20this intention, and it will make him a =

saint in=20his shop; his every-day business will be a =

course=20of wise and reasonable actions, made holy =


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to God,=20by being done in obedience to His will and =

pleasure. He will buy and sell, and labour =and=20

travel, because by so doing he can do some =good to=20

himself and others. But then, as nothing =can=20

please God but what is wise, and =reasonable, and=20

holy, so he will neither buy nor sell, nor =labour=20

in any other manner, nor to any other end, =but=20

such as may be shown to be wise, and =reasonable,=20

and holy. He will therefore consider, not =what=20

arts, or methods, or application, will =soonest=20

make him richer and greater than his =brethren, or=20

remove him from a shop to a life of state =

and=20 pleasure; but he will consider what arts, =what=20

methods, what application, can make =worldly=20

business most acceptable to God, and make =a life=20

of trade a life of holiness, devotion, and =piety.=20

This will be the temper and spirit of =every=20

tradesman; he cannot stop short of these =degrees=20

of piety, whenever it is his intention to =please=20God in all his actions, as the best and =

happiest=20thing in the world. And on the other hand, =

whoever=20is not of this Spirit and temper in his =

trade and=20profession, and does not carry it on only =

so far=20as is best subservient to a wise, and =

holy, and=20heavenly life, it is certain that he has =

not this=20 intention ; and yet without it, who can be =shown=20

to be a follower of Jesus Christ ?

Again, let the =

gentleman of birth=20and fortune but have this intention, and =

you will=20see how it will carry him from every =

appearance of=20


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evil, to every instance of piety and =goodness. He=20

cannot live by chance, or as humour and =fancy=20

carry him, because he knows that nothing =can=20

please God but a wise and regular course =of life.=20

He cannot live in idleness and indulgence, =in=20

sports and gaming, in pleasures and =intemperance,=20

in vain expenses and high living, because =these=20

things cannot be turned into means of =piety and=20

holiness, or made so many parts of a wise =and=20

religious life. As he thus removes from =all=20

appearance of evil, so he hastens and =aspires=20

after every instance of goodness. He does =not ask=20

what is allowable and pardonable, but what =is=20commendable and praiseworthy.=85 He will =

not=20therefore look at the lives of Christians, =

to=20learn how he ought to spend his estate, =

but he=20will look into the Scriptures, and make =

every=20doctrine, parable, precept, or =

instruction, that=20relates to rich men, a law to himself in =

the use=20 of his estate=85.

I have chosen to explain =

this matter=20by appealing to this intention , because it makes the case so =

plain,=20and because every one that has a mind may =

see it=20in the clearest light, and feel it in the=20strongest manner, by only looking into his =

own=20

heart. For it is as easy for every person =to know=20whether he intends to please God in all =

his=20actions, as for any servant to know =

whether this=20be his intention towards his master. Every =

one=20also can as easily tell how he lays out =

his money,=20


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and whether he considers how to please God =in it,=20

as he can tell where his estate is, and =whether it=20

be in money or land. So that here is no =plea left=20

for ignorance or frailty as to this =matter;=20

everybody is in the light, and everybody =has=20

power. And no one can fail, but he that is =not so=20

much a Christian, as to intend to please =God in=20

the use of his estate.

You see two persons: =

one is=20regular in public and private prayer, the =

other is=20not. Now the reason of this difference is =

not=20this, that one has strength and power to =

observe=20prayer, and the other has not; but the =

reason is=20 this, that one intends to please God in =the duties=20

of devotion, and the other has no =intention about=20

it. Now the case is the same, in the right =or=20

wrong use of our time and money. You see =one=20

person throwing away his time in sleep and =

idleness, in visiting and diversions, and =his=20

money in the most vain and unreasonable =expenses.=20You see another careful of every day, =

dividing his=20hours by rules of reason and religion, and =

spending all his money in works of =charity: now=20

the difference is not owing to this, that =one has=20

strength and power to do thus, and =the=20

other has not; but it is owing to this, =

that one=20 intends to please God in the right use of =all his=20

time, and all his money, and the other has =no=20

intention about it=85.

So that the fault does =

not lie=20here, that we desire to be good and =

perfect, but=20


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through the weakness of our nature fall =short of=20

it; but it is, because we have not piety =enough to=20

intend to be as good as we can, or to =please God=20

in all the actions of our life. This we =see is=20

plainly the case of him that spends his =time in=20

sports when he should be at Church; it is =not his=20

want of power, but his want of intention =or desire=20

to be there=85.

This doctrine does not =

suppose, that=20we have no need of Divine grace, or that =

it is in=20our own power to make ourselves perfect. =

It only=20supposes, that through the want of a =

sincere=20intention of pleasing God in all our =

actions we=20 fall into such irregularities of life as =by the=20

ordinary means of grace we should have =power to=20

avoid; and that we have not that =perfection, which=20

our present state of grace makes us =capable of,=20

because we do not so much as intend to =have it. It=20

only teaches us, that the reason why you =see no=20

real mortification or self-denial, no =eminent=20charity, no profound humility, no heavenly =

affection, no true contempt of the world, =no=20

Christian meekness, no sincere zeal, no =eminent=20

piety in the common lives of Christians, =is this,=20

because they do not so much as intend to =be exact=20

and exemplary in these virtues.

MATTERS FOR THOUGHT:

What important bearings of =intention, or the=20

lack thereof, have you seen on human =life? In=20

business, education, health, marriage, =


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etc.?=20What is Law=92s point about =

swearing? Do you=20think he is right?=20Is the transfer of the point about =

swearing=20to "pleasing God in all things" a fair =

and=20accurate one?=20Is Law=92s picture of the =

"tradesman"=20(business man or woman) as "a saint in =

his shop"=20realistic? Desirable?=20And what of "the gentleman of birth =

and=20fortune" (a wealthy, upper-class =

person)?=20Realistic? Desirable? Have you seen =

examples?=20Is the way Law brings in grace at =

the end=20biblically correct?

Means to=20

Growth in Grace

William Law=92s words =

seem shocking=20to contemporary Christians, because it is =

no part=20of how we see the Christian life today =

that we=20would actually intend and choose to do =

what Jesus=20taught. Of course that was also true in =

his own=20 day, and in the day of a later writer, =William=20

Wilberforce, who in 1797 published his =A=20

Practical View of the Prevailing Religious =System=20

of Professed Christians, in the Higher and =Middle=20

Classes in This Country, Contrasted with =Real=20

Christianity. But we today are perhaps =all the=20

more shocked because we are almost totally =out of=20touch with the practices, familiar to both =

Law and=20Wilberforce, through which transformation =

toward=20Christlikeness can reliably come to =

pass.

Those practices were =

understood=20


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as "means of grace," in the language of =Law (see=20

above) and, more famously, in that of John =Wesley,=20

one of his careful readers. That is, they =are=20

activities which open our lives to the =action of=20

God in our heart, mind, body and soul, to=20progressively remake our whole =

personality.=20Another name for them=97more ancient, and =

also more=20in use recently=97is "spiritual =

disciplines," or=20"disciplines for the spiritual life." They =

train=20us for leading the life which God intended =

for us:=20one which has the power and character to =

fulfill=20our calling. They are methods by =

which we=20obey the command to "put off" the old =

person and=20 to "put on" the new person who is in the =likeness=20

of Christ. (Col. 3:9-10; Eph. 4:22-24) =They are=20

"exercises unto godliness." (I Tim. 4:7-8) =Through=20

them we become capable of doing, with God, =all the=20

wonderful things commanded in the Bible, =which we=20

know are impossible in our own strength =and=20

wisdom.

In general, a ="discipline" is=20

any activity within our power that we =engage in=20

to enable us to do what we cannot do by =direct=20

effort. Though we may not be aware of =it, we=20

experience "disciplines" every day. In =these daily=20

or "natural" disciplines we perform acts =that=20

result in a direct command of further =abilities=20that we would not otherwise have. If I =

repeat the=20telephone number aloud after looking it =

up, I can=20remember it until I get it dialed. =

Otherwise, I=20probably couldn't. If I train rigorously, =

I can=20


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bench press 300 pounds; otherwise =certainly not.=20

Playing a musical instrument and carrying =on a=20

lively and interesting conversation are =other=20

illustrations of ordinary activities which =require=20

discipline in our physical or "natural" =life. We=20

have to "practice" them. Discipline, one =can see,=20

is an essential component of any =worthwhile human=20

existence.

But essentially the =

same thing=20happens with disciplines for our =

spiritual=20life. When through spiritual disciplines I =

become=20able heartily to bless those who curse me, =

pray=20without ceasing, to be at peace when not =

given=20 credit for good deeds I've done, or to =master the=20

evil that comes my way, it is because my=20disciplinary activities have inwardly =

poised me=20for more and more interaction with the =

powers of=20the living God and his Kingdom. Such is =

the=20potential we tap into when we use the =

disciplines=20for the spiritual life.

Some Activities That =Serve as=20

Disciplines.

What, then, are some =

particular=20activities that can serve as disciplines =

for the=20spiritual life? And which should we choose =

for our=20individual strategy for spiritual =

growth?

In answering these =

practical=20 questions, we need not try to come up with =a=20

complete list of disciplines. Nor should =we assume=20

that our particular list will be =right for=20

others. Quite a few well-known practices =will have=20

a strong claim to be on everyone's list. =


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On the=20other hand, there are a number of good =

activities=20that may not usually be thought of as =

disciplines,=20though they can be, and yet others that =

have=20served through the ages as spiritual =

disciplines=20but are now largely forgotten. For =

example, there=20is the peregrinatio, or voluntary =

exile,=20introduced by the Irish St. Brenden (born =

484) and=20widely practiced for some centuries =

thereafter.=20There is the vigil or "watch," where one =

rejects=20sleep to concentrate on spiritual matters. =

The=20keeping of a journal or spiritual diary =

continues=20to be an activity that serves some =

individuals as=20 a vital discipline, though it probably =would not=20

show up on any "standard" list. Sabbath =keeping,=20

as instituted in the Old Testament, can be =a most=20

productive discipline when adapted to =modern life.=20

Physical labor has proven to be a =spiritual=20

discipline, especially for those who are =also=20

deeply involved in solitude, fasting, =study, and=20prayer. (1 Thess. 4:11-12)

An activity that can be =

an=20especially effective spiritual discipline =

for=20those who are used to "the better things =

in life"=20is to do grocery shopping, banking, and =

other=20business in the poorer areas of the city. =

This has=20

an immense effect on our understanding of =and=20behavior toward our neighbors=97both rich =

and=20poor=97and upon our understanding of what =

it is to=20love and care for our fellow human =

beings.

In our modern society, =

which=20


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proceeds at such a frenetic pace, simple =sleep and=20

rest may be disciplines in the sense just=20described. They will, as we have said, =

enable us=20to do what we cannot do by direct effort,=20including staying in good emotional and =

physical=20health, and possibly being loving and =

sensitive to=20our family and co-workers. But usually =

when we=20rest we would not be practicing=20resting=97though, in the current world, =

that too may=20sometimes be needed, for some people =

actually=20cannot even rest by simply doing it. =

Practice is=20discipline, but there are disciplines =

which do not=20amount to practicing.

Now spiritual =

disciplines are=20

also spiritual disciplines, and not =mere=20bodily behaviors. That is, they are =

disciplines=20designed to help us be active and =

effective in the=20spiritual realm of our own heart, now =

spiritually=20alive by grace in relation to God and his =

kingdom.=20They are designed to help us withdraw from =

a=20total dependence on the merely =

human or=20 natural; and, in that precise sense, they =help us=20

to mortify the "flesh," kill it off, let =it die=20

(Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5), and to learn how to =depend=20

upon the ultimate reality, which is God =and his=20

kingdom.

Thus, for example, I =

fast from=20food to know that there is another food =

that=20 sustains me. I memorize and meditate on =scripture=20

that the order of God's kingdom would =become the=20

order and power of my mind and my =life.

In shaping our own list =of=20

spiritual disciplines, we should keep in =


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mind that=20very few disciplines can be regarded as =

absolutely=20indispensable for a healthy spiritual life =

and=20work, though some are obviously more =

important=20than others. Also, some are more important =

than=20others at different stages of our =

spiritual life.=20Always practicing a range of =

activities=20that have proven track records across the=20centuries will keep us from erring. And, =

if other=20activities are needed, our progress won't =

be=20seriously hindered, and we'll probably be =

led into=20them.

So, to help us make our =

way into=20a life of planned disciplines, let us list =

some=20 activities that have had a wide and =profitable use=20

among disciples of Christ, and discuss how =to=20

approach some of them in a prayerful, =experimental=20

way. The following list is divided into =the=20

disciplines of "abstinence" and the =disciplines of=20

"engagement." We cannot here discuss what =each of=20

these activities is and how each can make =an=20especially important contribution to =

spiritual=20growth. But we will be illustrative and =

point the=20way to further study.

Disciplines of=20=

Abstinence
solitude
silence
fasting
frugality
chas=tity
secrecy
sacrifice
watching

Disciplines of=20=

Engagement
study
worship
celebration
service
praye=r
fellowship
confession
submission

As we organize our plan =

for=20spiritual growth around some selection of =

these=20activities, and as we put that plan into =

practice,=20we will see steady transformation of our =

thoughts,=20


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emotions and will=97even our body and =social=20

context=97toward the character of =Christlikeness.=20

From the stages of early discipleship, =where "the=20

spirit is willing but the flesh is weak," =we=20

increasingly pass to the stages where the=20flesh=97think of that as what we more or =

less=20automatically feel, think, and do on our =

own=20strength alone=97is increasingly aligned =

with the=20Spirit and supportive of its deepest =

intentions in=20us. This is absolutely essential in a =

training=20that successfully brings us to do from the =

heart=20the things that Jesus knows to be =

best.

A further help in =

understanding=20 what spiritual disciplines are for the =disciples=20

of Jesus is to recognize them as simply a =matter=20

of following him into his own =practices,=20

appropriately modified to suit our own =condition.=20

We find our way into a life where the =power of=20

inward hindrances to obedience/abundance =are=20

broken, by observing what Jesus and others =who=20have followed him actually do, and =

learning to=20structure our lives around those same =

activities.=20Thus, although scripture does not tell us =

in=20formulaic terms what to do in order to =

build our=20life upon the rock, everyone who knows =

anything=20about Jesus' life, and that of his most =

effective=20 followers, really does know what to do to =that=20

end, or can easily find out. It is not a =secret.=20

Or perhaps it is an "open secret."

So, basically, to put =

off the old=20person and put on the new we only follow =

Jesus=20


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into the activities that he engaged in to =nurture=20

his own life in relation to the Father. Of =course,=20

his calling and mission was out of all =proportion=20

to ours, and he never had our weaknesses. =Still=20

what he practiced is, roughly, what we =must=20

practice, in order to enter into his heart =and=20

character. For example, solitude had a =huge place=20

in his life, as the Gospel records =show.

Two Disciplines Of =

Abstinence:=20Solitude And Silence.

By solitude we mean =

being out of=20human contact, being alone, and being so =

for=20

lengthy periods of time. To get out of =human=20contact is not something that can be done =

in a=20short while, for such contact lingers long =

after=20it is, in one sense, over. And silence, a =

gift of=20many dimensions, is a natural part of =

solitude and=20essential to its fulness. Most noise is =

human contact. Silence means to escape =

from=20 sounds and noises, other than the gentle =ones of=20

nature perhaps. But it also means not =talking, and=20

the effects of not talking on our soul are =

different from those of simple quietness. =Both=20

dimensions of silence are crucial for the =breaking=20

of old habits and the formation of =Christ's=20

character in us. Silence well-practiced is =like=20the wind of eternity blowing upon you.

Now why, precisely, are =

these=20disciplines of abstinence so central to =

the=20curriculum for Christlikeness? A primary =

objective=20in training in Christlikeness is to break =


16/31

the=20power of our ready responses to do the=20opposite of what Jesus teaches: for =

example, scorn, anger, verbal =manipulation,=20

payback, silent collusion in the =wrongdoing of=20

others around us, and so forth.

These responses mainly =

exist at=20what we might call the "epidermal" level =

of the=20self, the first point of contact with the =

world=20around us. They are almost totally =

"automatic,"=20given the usual stimuli. The very language =

we use=20is laden with them, and of course they are =

the=20"buttons" by which our human surroundings =

more or=20less control us. They are not "deep"; they =

are=20 just there, and just constant. They =are the=20

area where most of our life is lived. And =in=20

action they have the power to draw our =whole being=20

into the deepest of injuries and wrongs. =("Mob=20

psychology" and "group think" are =well-known=20

testimonies to that.)

Now it is solitude and =

silence=20 that allow us to escape the patterns of =epidermal=20

responses, with their consequences. They =provide=20

space to come to terms with these =responses and to=20

replace them, with God's help, by =different=20

immediate responses that are suitable to =the=20

kingdom environment=97and, indeed, to the =kind of=20

life everyone in saner moments recognizes =to be=20good. They break the pell-mell rush =

through life=20and create a kind of inner space that =

permits=20people to become aware of what they are =

doing and=20what they are about to do.

We hear the cries from =


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our=20strife-torn streets: "Give peace a =

chance!" and=20"Can't we all just get along?" But you =

cannot give=20peace a chance if that is all you =

give a=20chance. You have to do the things that =

make peace=20possible and actual. When you listen to =

people=20talk about peace, you soon realize, in =

most cases,=20that they are unwilling to deal with the=20conditions of society and soul that make =

strife=20inevitable. They want to keep them and =

still have=20peace, but it is peace on their terms, =

which is=20impossible.

And we can't all =

just get=20along. Rather, we have to become the kinds =

of=20 persons who can get along. As a major part =of=20

this, our epidermal responses have to be =changed=20

in such a way that the fire and the fight =doesn't=20

start almost immediately when we are ="rubbed the=20

wrong way." Solitude and silence give us a =place=20

to begin the necessary changes, though =they are=20

not a place to stop.

They also give us some =space to=20

reform our inmost attitudes toward people =and=20

events. They take the world off our =shoulders for=20

a time and interrupt our habit of =constantly=20

managing things, of being in control, or =thinking=20

we are. One of the greatest of spiritual=20attainments is the capacity to do nothing. =

Thus,=20 the Christian philosopher Pascal =insightfully=20

remarks, "I have discovered that all the=20unhappiness of men arises from one single =

fact,=20that they cannot stay quietly in their own =

room."

Now this idea of =


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doing=20nothing proves to be absolutely =

terrifying to=20most people I speak with. But at least the =

person=20who is capable of doing nothing proves =

capable of=20refraining from doing the wrong thing. And =

then he=20or she will be better able to do the right =

thing.

And "doing nothing" has =

many=20other advantages. It may be a great =

blessing to=20others around us, who often hardly have a =

chance=20while we are in action. And possibly the =

gentle=20Father in the heavens would draw nigh if =

we would=20just be quiet and rest a bit. Generally =

speaking,=20

he will not compete for our attention, and =as long=20as we are "in charge" he is liable to keep =

a=20certain distance.

Every person should =

have regular=20periods in life when he or she has nothing =

to do.=20Periods of solitude and silence are =

excellent=20practices for helping us learn how to do =

that. The=20

law that God has given for our benefit =tells us=20that one seventh of our time should be =

devoted to=20doing nothing=97no work, not by ourselves =

or any of=20our family, employees, or animals. That =

includes,=20of course, religious work. This is=20Sabbath.

What do you do in =

solitude or=20silence? Well, sofar as things to "get =

done,"=20 nothing at all. As long as you are =doing=20

"things to get done," you have not broken =human=20

contact. So don't go into solitude and =silence=20

with a list. Can we enjoy things in =solitude and=20

silence? Yes, but don't try to. Just be =


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there.=20Don=92t try to get God to do anything. =

Just be=20there. He will find you.

Even lay aside your =

ideas as to=20what solitude and silence are supposed to=20accomplish in your spiritual growth. You =

will=20discover incredibly good things. One is =

that you=20have a soul. Another, that God is near and =

the=20universe is brimming with goodness. =

Another, that=20others aren't as bad as you often think. =

But don't=20try to discover these, or you =

won't. You'll=20just be busy and find more of your own =

doings.

The cure for =

too-much-to-do is=20solitude and silence, for there you find =

you are=20 safely more than what you do. And the cure =of=20

loneliness is solitude and silence, for =there you=20

discover in how many ways you are never =alone.

When you go into =solitude and=20

silence, you need to be relatively =comfortable.=20

Don't be a hero in this or in any =spiritual=20

discipline. You will need rest. Sleep =until you=20wake up truly refreshed. And you will need =

to stay=20there long enough for the inner being to =

become=20different. Muddy water becomes clear if =

you only=20let it be still for a while.

You will know this =

finding of=20soul and God is happening by an increased =

sense of=20

who you are and a lessening of the feeling =that=20you have to do this, that, and the =

other=20thing that befalls your lot in life. That=20harassing, hovering feeling of "have to" =

largely=20comes from the vacuum in your soul, where =

you=20ought to be at home with your Father in =


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his=20kingdom. As the vacuum is rightly filled, =

you will=20increasingly know that you do not have to =

do many=20of those things=97not even those you want =

to do.

Liberation from your =

own desires=20is one of the greatest gifts of solitude =

and=20silence. When this all begins to happen, =

you will=20know you are arriving where you ought to =

be. Old=20bondages to wrongdoing will begin to drop =

off as=20you see them for what they are. And the=20possibility of really loving people will =

dawn upon=20you.

Soon you will enter =

into the=20experience of what it is to live by grace, =

rather=20 than just talk about it.

These are some of =

the fruits=20of solitude and silence. The =

apprentice will=20have to learn how to keep in =

solitude and=20silence, of course. For most of us, wise =

and=20loving practical arrangements must be made =

with=20those around us. And we should encourage =

and help=20 family members and coworkers to enter such =

spiritual disciplines themselves.

Obviously the effects =

of these=20disciplines will greatly benefit our =

objective of=20loving God with a full heart. For the =

usual=20distractions of life greatly hinder our =

attention=20to God, and the habit of thinking about =

everything=20 else is almost impossible to break in the =bustle=20

of life. Time away can help. People often =complain=20

that they cannot pray because their =thoughts=20

wander. Those thoughts are simply doing =what they=20

usually do. The grip of "the usual" is =


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what must=20be broken. Appropriate solitude and =

silence are=20sure to do it.

Two Disciplines Of =

Positive=20Engagement: Study And Worship.

It is a profound truth =

about=20human beings that our first area of =

freedom=20concerns where we will place our mind. =

Until=20solitude and silence have had their =

effects, our=20minds will very likely continue to be =

focused on=20the wrong things, or on good things in an =

anxious=20attitude of trying to dominate them. But =

as we,=20through relocating our bodies into =

solitude,=20

escape and change the inputs that have =constantly=20controlled our thoughts and feelings, we =

will have=20additional freedom to place our minds =

fully upon=20the great God, His kingdom, and its peace =

and=20strength.

This, in turn, will =

transform our=20emotional state, and thereby the very =

condition of=20

our body. Most of those around us will =sense that=20and begin to act differently themselves. =

The=20social context will change for the better, =

and=20what we have to respond to will be much =

more in=20the spirit of the kingdom. I have observed =

this on=20many occasions.

Once solitude has done =

its work,=20

the key to progress in spiritual formation =is=20study. It is in study that we place our =

minds=20fully upon God and his kingdom. And study =

is=20brought to its natural completion in the =

worship=20of God.

When I study anything I =


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take its=20order and nature into my thoughts, and =

even into=20my feelings and actions. At one time I did =

not=20know the alphabet, for example. But then I =

studied=20it. I brought it before my mind, with the =

help of=20my teacher, and related my body to it in =

ways well=20known to all. Before very long the order =

that is=20in the alphabet was in my mind and body. =

From=20there, that order enabled me to reproduce, =

recognize, and use the alphabet and its =parts. The=20

order that I took into myself by study =gave me=20

power to do many good things that I could =not do=20

until, by study, it had become mine.

What we learn about =study from=20this simple example of the alphabet is =

true in all=20areas, from the most theoretical to the =

most=20practical. It is also true when we study =

what is=20evil, a very dangerous thing to do. Then =

we take=20on orders and powers of evil=97or they =

take us. But,=20thankfully, most of what we naturally come =

to=20 study is good. A student of plumbing or =singing,=20

for example, takes into his or her mind =certain=20

orders by purposely dwelling upon the =relevant=20

subject matter and activities in =appropriate ways.=20

That is how study works. And, of course, =it always=20

enables individuals "to do what they =cannot do by=20

direct effort"=97the mark of a =discipline.

The "blessed man" of =

Psalm 1 (and=20Joshua 1:8) is one whose "delight is in =

the law of=20the Lord, and in His law he meditates day =

and=20night. And he will be like a tree firmly =

planted=20


23/31

by streams of water, which yields its =fruit in its=20

season, and its leaf does not wither; and =in=20

whatever he does, he prospers." You =can=92t achieve=20

that outcome on your own. You do it by=20indirection, absorbing you mind in the =

ways of=20God.

Now disciples of =

Jesus are=20people who want to take into their being =

the order=20of the Kingdom of God that is among us. =

They wish=20to live their life in that Kingdom as =

Jesus=20himself would, and that requires=20internalization of its order. Study is the =

chief=20way in which they accomplish that. They =

devote=20their attention, their thoughtful inquiry, =

and=20 their practical experimentation to the =order of=20

the kingdom as seen in Jesus, in the =written word=20

of scripture, in others who walk in the =way, and,=20

indeed, in every good thing in nature, =history,=20

and culture.

Thus Paul's practical =

advice from=20his jail cell to his friends at Philippi:=20

"Whatever things are true, serious, right, =pure,=20lovable, well regarded, any virtue and =

anything=20admirable, let your mind dwell on =

them.=20What you have learned, received, heard and =

seen in=20me, do that. And the God of peace will be =

with=20you" (Phil. 4:8-9). For all such good =

things are=20of God and his reign.

Of course, in all our =study as=20and with disciples, the person of Jesus is =

the=20center of attention. But he is not really=20separable, for us, from the written =

revelatory=20word, including the law, the prophets, the =

history, and the wisdom of the Old =


24/31

Testament. One=20who would train disciples "to hear and do" =

will=20direct them to all these, still centered =

on the=20person of Jesus.

And the Twenty-third =

Psalm is=20also an exquisite summary of life in the =

kingdom.=20The mind of the disciple should have it=20prominently displayed within, to always =

foster the=20joy and peace of the kingdom as well as to =

orient=20all of his or her actions within it. The =

Ten=20Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the =

Sermon on the=20Mount, Romans 8, Colossians 3, Philippians =

2-4,=20and a few other passages of scripture =

should be=20frequently meditated on in depth, and much =

of them=20 memorized. This is an essential part of =any=20

training for Christlikeness. Positive =engagement=20

with these scripture will bring kingdom =order into=20

our entire personality. This is something =you will=20

strongly experience as you go =through the=20

process of such study.

I know many people who =

profess=20 serious allegiance to Jesus, and claim him =as=20

their Savior. But, unfortunately, they =simply will=20

not take essential scriptures into their =soul and=20

body and utilize them as here indicated. =The=20

result is that they continue to recycle =their=20

failures and make little or no real =progress=20

toward the abundance/obedience essential =to=20"walking worthily of the calling wherewith =

we are=20called." Some of them even try to use =

other=20spiritual disciplines, but with little =

result. An=20essential ingredient is missing, and the =

order of=20


25/31

their mind and life remains other than =that of the=20

kingdom.

Study is by no means =

simply a=20matter of gathering information to have on =

hand.=20Intensive internalization of the kingdom =

order=20through study of the written word and =

learning=20from the Living Word establishes good =

"epidermal=20responses" of thought, feeling, and =

action. And=20these in turn integrate us into the flow =

of God's=20eternal reign. We really come to think and =

believe=20differently, and that changes everything =

else.=20"Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I =

might not=20sin against Thee." (Psalm 119:11)

Now we must not =worship=20without study, for ignorant worship is of =

limited=20value and can be very dangerous. We may =

develop "a=20zeal for God, but not according to =

knowledge"=20(Rom. 10: 2), and then do great harm to =

ourselves=20and others. But worship must be added to =

study to=20complete the renewal of our mind through a =

willing=20 absorption in the radiant person who is =worthy of=20

all praise. Study without worship is also=20dangerous, and the people of Jesus =

constantly=20suffer from its effects, especially in =

academic=20settings. To handle the things of God =

without=20worship is always to falsify them.

In worship we are =

ascribing=20

greatness, goodness, and glory to God. It =is=20typical of worship that we put every =

possible=20aspect of our being into it, all of our =

sensuous,=20conceptual, active, and creative =

capacities. We=20embellish, elaborate, and magnify. Poetry =

and=20


26/31

song, color and texture, food and incense, =dance=20

and procession are all used to exalt God. =And=20

sometimes it is in the quiet absorption of =

thought, the electric passion of =encounter, or=20

total surrender of the will. In worship we =strive=20

for adequate expression of God's =greatness. But=20

only for a moment, if ever, do we achieve =what=20

seems like adequacy. We cannot do justice =to God=20

or his Son or his kingdom or his goodness =to us.=20

So we must constantly return to =worship.

Worship nevertheless =imprints on=20

our whole being the reality that we study. =The=20

effect is a radical disruption of the =powers of=20evil in us and around us. Often an =

enduring and=20substantial change is brought about. And =

the=20renewal of worship keeps the glow and =

power of our=20true homeland an active agent in all parts =

of our=20being. In the atmosphere of =

worship, to=20"hear and do" is the clearest, most =

obvious and=20 natural thing imaginable.

Now we have very =

briefly touched=20upon four specific spiritual disciplines: =

solitude=20and silence, worship and study. Around =

these a=20individual and group "Curricula for=20Christlikeness" can be framed. It should =

be clear=20how strongly such disciplines will nourish =

and be=20

nourished by the principle objective of =such a=20"curriculum"=97that of bringing the =

disciple of=20Jesus to love God with heart, soul, mind, =

and=20strength. Other disciplines, such as =

fasting,=20service to others, fellowship, and so on, =

might be=20


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discussed as well, and, indeed, in a full=20treatment of a curriculum for =

Christlikeness they=20must be discussed. But if these four are =

pursued=20with intelligence and prayer, whatever =

else is=20needed will certainly come along.

The important insight =

to guide us=20at this point is that, to build our house =

upon the=20rock of obedience (Matt. 7:24-25), putting =

off the=20old person and putting on the new, we must =

have a=20definite plan for doing so. Although this =

cannot=20be done without interaction with the grace =

of God,=20neither will it be imposed upon us. We =

must devise=20steps to the fullness of Christlife that =

are=20

biblical, time-tested, realistic, =experimental.=20Such steps, as seen in the disciplines for =

the=20spiritual life, are not laws of =

righteousness;=20they are wisdom, and our Teacher =

will help=20us in every need as we live with him in =

the=20V-I-M pattern.

(For further study and =

direction=20

concerning spiritual disciplines, one may =wish to=20consult Richard Foster, Celebration of=20Discipline, or Dallas Willard, The =

Spirit=20of the Disciplines.)

MATTERS FOR =

THOUGHT:

What is your understanding of "means =of=20

grace"? Have you had experiences with =

any, or=20 seen any implemented in Church life?=20The concept of "discipline" applies =

both to=20natural activities and to those that =

require=20Divine assistance (grace). Does that =

seem right=20to you? Scriptural? Practical?=20What would you take to be the most =


28/31

important=20and generally applicable of the specific =

disciplines listed? Why?=20What about the idea of "doing =

nothing" in=20solitude and silence? It is one of the =

hardest=20things for most Protestant believers to =

accept.=20Could it, nevertheless, be a good thing =

in=20pursuing spiritual formation under God? =

Why or=20why not?=20How are study and worship =

interdependent in=20making spiritual progress?=20Has scripture memorization played a=20significant role in your life with God? =

How=20might it help us to enter into the =

blessed life=20of Psalm 1?

A =

Composite=20Picture of "Children of =

Light"

We can view the ideal =

outcome of=20the V-I-M process by sketching a =

composite=20picture of "the children of light," =

drawing on how=20they have changed in the various essential =

dimensions of their being. To call them=20children of light is, in biblical=20terminology, to say that they have the =

basic=20nature of light: that light is their =

parent and=20has passed on to them its nature, as any =

parent=20does. The apostle John summed up the =

message that=20he and his friends had heard from Jesus as =

this:=20

"God is light, and in Him there is no =darkness at=20all." (1st John 1:5)

Now, the people who =

have moved=20into the light of Christ are not perfect =

and do=20not live in a perfect world=97yet. But =

they are=20remarkably different. The difference is =


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not one of=20a pose they strike, either from time to =

time or=20constantly, or of things they do or don't =

do. They=20are not "performing"=97though their =

behavior too is=20very different and distinctive. Where the =

children=20of light differ is primarily and most =

importantly=20on the "inside" of their life. It lies in =

what=20they are in their depths, in what they =

would do=20and could do.

Thought =

life:=20Perhaps the first thing that comes =

to our=20attention when we get to know their inner =

life is=20what they think about, or what is on their =

mind.=20

Simply stated, they think about God. He is =never=20out of their mind. They love to dwell upon =

God and=20upon his greatness and loveliness, as =

brought to=20light in Jesus Christ. They adore him in =

nature,=20in history, in his Son and in his saints. =

One=20could even say they are "God-intoxicated" =

(Acts=202:13; Ephesians 5: 18), though no one has =

a=20 stronger sense of reality and practicality =than=20

they do. Their mind is filled with =biblical=20

expressions of God's nature, his actions, =and his=20

plans for them in his world. They do not =dwell=20

upon evil. It is not a big thing in their=20thoughts. They are sure of its defeat, but =

they=20still deal with it appropriately in =

specific=20 situations.

Because their mind is =

centered=20upon God and oriented to all else with =

reference=20to him, all other good things are also =

welcome=20there. Again: "Whatever is true, whatever =

is=20


30/31

honorable, whatever is right, whatever is =pure,=20

whatever is lovely, whatever is of good =repute, if=20

there is any excellence and if anything =worthy of=20

praise," their mind ponders those things=20(Philippians 4:8). They are positive,=20realistically so, based upon the nature of =

God as=20they understand it. "I have set the Lord=20continually before me," the Psalmist says, =

"Because He is at my right hand, I will =not be=20

shaken." (16:8)

Feelings: And=20then perhaps we notice=97and small wonder =

given what=20has already been observed=97that the =

emotional life=20of these children of light is deeply =

characterized=20

by love. That is how they invest the =emotional=20side of their being. They love lots of =

good things=20and they love people. They love their life =

and who=20they are. They are thankful for their =

life=97even=20though it may contain many difficulties, =

even=20persecution and martyrdom (Matthew =

5:10-12). They=20receive all of it as God's gift, or at =

least as=20 his allowance, where they will know his =goodness=20

and greatness and go on to live with him =forever.=20

And so joy and peace are with them even in =the=20

hardest of times=97even when suffering =unjustly.=20

Because of what they have learned about =God, they=20

are confident and hopeful and do not =indulge=20

thoughts of rejection, failure, and =hopelessness,=20because they know better.

Will (spirit, =

heart):=20Looking a little deeper we find that these =

children of light really are devoted to =doing what=20

is good and right. Their will is =


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habitually=20attuned to it, just as their mind and =

emotions are=20habitually homing in on God. They are =

attentive to=20rightness, to kindness, to helpfulness, =

and they=20are purposefully knowledgeable about =

life=97about=20what people need, and about how to do what =

is=20right and good in appropriate ways. They =

are not=20obsequious, but respectful of the rights =

and=20responsibilities of others.

These are people who do =

not think=20first of themselves and what they want, =

and they=20really care very little, if at all, about =

getting=20their own way "Let each of you regard one =

another=20

as more important than himself; do not =look out=20for your own personal interests, but for =

the=20interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). =

These=20are easy and good words to them. They are=20abandoned to God's will and do not =

struggle and=20deliberate as to whether they will do what =

they=20know to be wrong. They do not hesitate to =

do what=20

they know to be right. It is the obvious =thing to=20do.

Body: That, =

of course,=20involves their body. Their body has come =

over to=20the side of their will to do good. It is=20constantly poised to do what is =

right and=20good without thinking. And that also means =

that it=20does not automatically move into what is =

wrong,=20 even contrary to their res

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