Cross Training - Doctrines of Faith and God the Father

There is a Chinese proverb that goes like something like this - “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in character. If there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.” 

Over the last few weeks we have skimmed over some to the various attributes of God the Father.  I wish I could say that we took a long, in-depth look under a microscope at these character traits, but that is a sermon series left for sometime in the future.  Nevertheless, the last attribute we studied together concerned the Father's "Goodness," a moral quality, that stems from his holiness.  The Chinese proverb I quoted begins by stating "if there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in character."  

I've been thinking a great deal about the attribute of goodness and it's application to the church today, the post-modern church.  You see, I am deeply concerned with where the church has been, where it is, and where it's going.  I believe where it's been has taken "goodness," Godly goodness, too far, bordering on legalism without life.  The church today has watered down goodness to make it appealing or "sell-able."  The church of tomorrow does not seem to be changing the forward progress that we currently follow either, so what I think is happening is a downward spiral towards our understanding of God's goodness in our lives.  In fact, there is the danger of reverting back to a "goodness" of moral law that resembles nothing more than rules and regulations, again, without life.  

As a believer the challenge of walking in the Father's goodness is learning what it means to dance, not wrestle with him.  Keep in mind, Jacob wrestled with God, but I would almost think that what the Lord really wanted was for Jacob to bow and let him lead.  Discovering the moral goodness of the Father, again, is like running onto the dance floor at the wedding and putting your arm around His waist and your hand within His, and dancing, not resisting the movements of the Lord as he guides you in the "goodest dance."  That's my phrase from here on out, even though it makes no sense, nor is it proper - the "goodest dance!"  I like it!!



Enjoy

Randy