Ends and Means
Last Sunday, we talked about the difference between ends and means. For the sake of dialogue, I thought I'd post today 1) the basic outline of my message, and 2) some links to writings on the Musings blog that relate to the topic.
Definitions:
End = 'the goal toward which an agent acts'
Means = 'intermediate steps; something useful or helpful to a desired end'
3 Biblical Points (sorry if it feels like I'm yelling... the caps are the result of cut and paste):
1. GOD IS SOVEREIGN; THEREFORE HE CAN ACCOMPLISH HIS ENDS WITHOUT USING HUMAN MEANS (Psalm 115:1-3; Isaiah 45:5-7; Jeremiah 18:1-6)
2. GOD HAS SOVEREIGNLY CHOSEN TO USE HUMAN MEANS TO BRING ABOUT HIS DIVINE ENDS (Joshua 1:1-3).
3. THEREFORE, WHAT I DO MATTERS, BECAUSE GOD USES IT TO ACCOMPLISH HIS ENDS!
5 Applications of these truths to spiritual formation:
#1: God has ordained not just the end of spiritual formation, but the means as well. The objection that 'I can't become the person God wants me to be' denies this reality. If God has ordained the end (your sanctification - 1 Thess 4:3), he has also provided the means to that end. If you're not using the means... don't blame God.
#2: You will not reach the end if you don’t use the means. They go together.
#3: Don’t let the means become ends in themselves. (This is where legalism comes from).
#4: Both the end and the means are communal. God does not shape our souls in isolation. Read The Kingdom of Couches for some practical help in learning to do spiritual disciplines communally.
#5: The situation determines the appropriate means. Everyone uses the same means, but we need them in differing degrees, depending on our individual situation.
FOR MORE:
That Christ Be Formed In Us (reflections on means and ends)
If You Love Me (how false want keeps us from intending to obey Jesus)
The Kingdom of Couches (the post, not the book) (the point of practice is to play!)
Funk & Faith (reflections on missional community)
The Disciples Training
(If Will Walker wasn't my best friend, referencing so many of his blog writings would definitely constitute a man-crush.)
Definitions:
End = 'the goal toward which an agent acts'
Means = 'intermediate steps; something useful or helpful to a desired end'
3 Biblical Points (sorry if it feels like I'm yelling... the caps are the result of cut and paste):
1. GOD IS SOVEREIGN; THEREFORE HE CAN ACCOMPLISH HIS ENDS WITHOUT USING HUMAN MEANS (Psalm 115:1-3; Isaiah 45:5-7; Jeremiah 18:1-6)
2. GOD HAS SOVEREIGNLY CHOSEN TO USE HUMAN MEANS TO BRING ABOUT HIS DIVINE ENDS (Joshua 1:1-3).
3. THEREFORE, WHAT I DO MATTERS, BECAUSE GOD USES IT TO ACCOMPLISH HIS ENDS!
5 Applications of these truths to spiritual formation:
#1: God has ordained not just the end of spiritual formation, but the means as well. The objection that 'I can't become the person God wants me to be' denies this reality. If God has ordained the end (your sanctification - 1 Thess 4:3), he has also provided the means to that end. If you're not using the means... don't blame God.
#2: You will not reach the end if you don’t use the means. They go together.
#3: Don’t let the means become ends in themselves. (This is where legalism comes from).
#4: Both the end and the means are communal. God does not shape our souls in isolation. Read The Kingdom of Couches for some practical help in learning to do spiritual disciplines communally.
#5: The situation determines the appropriate means. Everyone uses the same means, but we need them in differing degrees, depending on our individual situation.
FOR MORE:
That Christ Be Formed In Us (reflections on means and ends)
If You Love Me (how false want keeps us from intending to obey Jesus)
The Kingdom of Couches (the post, not the book) (the point of practice is to play!)
Funk & Faith (reflections on missional community)
The Disciples Training
(If Will Walker wasn't my best friend, referencing so many of his blog writings would definitely constitute a man-crush.)
posted by Bob | 10:22 AM
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