Grace, Sanctification & Vacuum Cleaners

 

Grace is like electricity. This is what a good friend reminded me of lately when he compared a Christian life to a vacuum cleaner. Let me explain.

The Christian’s justification occurs when we are initially “born again” and become a part of the family of God. The Christian’s sanctification occurs over the course of our lives after conversion, as we seek to obey Jesus and become more like him. 

Justification is entirely by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), whereas sanctification can be trickier as it seems to be a mix of grace and effort (Ephesians 2:10). 

So how does grace work in our sanctification (or journey towards Christ-likeness)? 

This is where the vacuum cleaner analogy comes in. My friend shared that a vacuum is useless unless it is plugged into an energy source; and, likewise, Christians have no power unless they are plugged into (or “connected with”) Jesus Christ. Furthermore, what gives power to the vacuum is electricity – just as the power imbued to us through Christ is called grace. 

Jesus himself said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

That does not mean that effort on our part is unnecessary though. Like the vacuum that sits there with no one to push it, it cannot accomplish that which it was made for.  As Dallas Willard put it, 

“Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action.”

However, we can expend a lot of effort to push a vacuum cleaner around the entire house but it will accomplish nothing unless it is plugged in: only then can it perform that which it was designed to do.  

Similarly, as Christians, we can put all our strength and effort into becoming more like Jesus and still feel like we are failing. Why? Because only grace can accomplish what we are designed for. 

In the Christian experience, grace without effort will never allow us to reach our full potential or to glorify God as he deserves (I Corinthians 3:10-13). But ultimately, effort is meaningless without grace. 

I was struck by this recently while reading an interview with a theologian. 

“When I sin, I still often tell God, ‘I’m sorry. I’ll do better next time.”, he said. “Of course, that is not a wrong desire…but these days, I’ve changed the prayer: ‘God, I’m sorry. I’m totally powerless over this. Will you give me strength to change?” 

Its true that there is still some mystery about how grace and effort work together in our sanctification; but when I acknowledge that I’m a helpless sinner and rely on God’s grace to sanctify my life, that’s when I really plug in to the power source. 

Cruciform Masculinity

I recently read an article by a young man named Luke Simon entitled, “Why Gen Z Men like Me Are Staying in Church”. 

While he was referring largely to Gen Z males, I (a Gen X man) was struck by his writings on masculinity – especially this idea of a “Cruciform Masculinity”.  

He writes:

“In the church, Gen Z men like me are rejecting the false masculinities offered by the culture and finding an alternative—a cruciform masculinity. In his death, Jesus subverts the ego, dominance, and self-centeredness of toxic masculinity in a divine display of humility, sacrifice, and love. 

But the cross also challenges the soft, aimless version of manhood that avoids responsibility and purpose. Jesus’s example shows us that real manhood embraces responsibility, cultivates strength, and commits to a mission—not to serve oneself but to serve others.

At church, Gen Z men are still being called to sacrifice in a culture that taught them to live for themselves.

At church, we’re called to something higher. True masculinity is rooted in knowing who you are—your identity as a son of God—and in having a mission, a purpose worth giving your life to. 

It’s about taking action and showing agency, knowing you have the power to make a difference in your life, your family, and your community. It’s about leaning into a unique, God-given responsibility, entrusted with power to protect, care for, and defend the vulnerable.”

In a world with many extreme ideas about what it is to be a man – even a Christian man – the notion of “Cruciform Masculinity” may be just what we all need, regardless of our generation. 

Source:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/gen-z-men-church/

12 Christian Books I Recommend

I wouldn’t describe myself as an *avid* reader, but I have read a number of excellent Christian books over the last few years and I would love to share them with you. Most of these books are particularly relevant for our day and age, or they are on topics that are foundational to our faith and thus fitting for any point in history. 

Of course, no human author is perfect but I have found mostly good in these offerings. I will seek to add to this list as time goes on. I hope you find some gems of your own here! These title are currently all available on Amazon. 

Here they are, in no particular order, with title, author and a short description.

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

Author:  Tim Keller

“…addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics and non-believers bring to religion. Using literature, philosophy, anthropology, pop culture, and intellectual reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand against the backlash toward religion spawned by the Age of Skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God.” 

Note: I would add that you should also read “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis – a foundational classic on Christian apologetics and reasoning.

The Air We Breathe:  How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality

Author: Glen Scrivener

“Is Christianity history? Or is Christian history the deepest explanation of the modern world?

Today in the west, many consider the church to be dead or dying. Christianity is seen as outdated, bigoted and responsible for many of society’s problems. This leaves many believers embarrassed about their faith and many outsiders wary of religion. But what if the Christian message is not the enemy of our modern Western values, but the very thing that makes sense of them?

In this fascinating book, Glen Scrivener takes readers on a journey to discover how the teachings of Jesus not only turned the ancient world upside down, but continue to underpin the way we think of life, worth, and meaning.”

Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith

Author: Michael Reeves

“Why is God love? Because God is a Trinity. Why can we be saved? Because God is a Trinity. How are we able to live the Christian life? Through the Trinity. In this lively book, we find an introduction to Christianity and the Christian life that is from start to finish rooted in our triune God―Father, Son and Spirit…

With wit and clarity, Reeves draws from church history down to the present referencing a wide range of notable teachers and preachers. Here is a rich and enjoyable portrayal of the basic beliefs of Christianity that opens up the profound and life-changing truths of our faith.”

Born Again this Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith, and What Comes Next

Author: Rachel Gilson

“In this powerful and personal book, author Rachel Gilson describes her own unexpected journey of coming out and coming to faith... and what came next. As she does so, she addresses many of the questions that Christians living with same-sex attraction are wrestling with: Am I consigned to a life of loneliness? How do I navigate my friendships? Will my desires ever change? Is there some greater purpose to all this?

Drawing on insights from the Bible and the experiences of others, Born Again This Way shows that it is possible for same-sex attracted Christians to live fulfilling lives while being faithful to the Bible's teaching on sexuality. It will provide assurance and encouragement for Christians with same-sex attraction, and paints a compelling picture of discipleship for every believer.”

You are a Theologian: An Invitation to Know and Love God Well

Authors: Jen Wilkin and J.T. English

“Theology can be intimidating. Perhaps questions like these have kept you from engaging with it: “What is theology?” “Who does theology?” “What happens if I get something wrong?” Theology can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. Whether conversations about theology have felt out of reach, over your head, or irrelevant, consider this book an invitation to the dialogue.”

You Are a Theologian addresses theological questions such as:

Who is God? The Doctrine of the Trinity

What is God like? The Attributes of God

What is the Bible? The Doctrine of Scripture

Who are we? The Doctrine of Humanity

What went wrong? The Doctrine of Sin

What has God done? The Doctrines of Christology, Atonement, and Justification

To whom do we belong? The Doctrine of the Church

How does the story end? The Doctrine of Last Things

10 Things Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity

Author: Rebecca McLaughlin 

“Going to school, hanging out with friends, or scrolling through social media feeds, teenagers are sure to face real challenges to faith in Jesus Christ. And whether you consider yourself a Christ follower or not, these questions can seem like deal breakers.

Backed by state-of-the-art research, personal stories, Harry Potter illustrations (warning: spoilers!), and careful biblical study, this book doesn’t dodge tough questions. Instead, it invites teenagers to ask their hardest questions about Christianity and to find surprising, life-giving answers.”

Note: I am slowly working through this book with my 13 year old daughter and it is going well! Also, the adult version of this book is called “Confronting Christianity” and is by the same author. 

The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters

Author: Sinclair B. Ferguson

“Since the days of the early church, Christians have wrestled with the relationship between law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, salvation is by grace and the law cannot save, what relevance does the law have for Christians today?

By revisiting the Marrow Controversy―a famous but largely forgotten eighteenth-century debate related to the proper relationship between God’s grace and our works―Sinclair B. Ferguson sheds light on this central issue and why it still matters today. In doing so, he explains how our understanding of the relationship between law and gospel determines our approach to evangelism, our pursuit of sanctification, and even our understanding of God himself.

Ferguson shows us that the antidote to the poison of legalism on the one hand and antinomianism on the other is one and the same: the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ, in whom we are simultaneously justified by faith, freed for good works, and assured of salvation.”

Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage

Author: Gavin Ortlund

“In theology, just as in battle, some hills are worth dying on and others are not. But how do we know which ones? When should doctrine divide, and when should unity prevail? … Pastor Gavin Ortlund implores us to cultivate humility as we prioritize doctrine into four ranks―essential, urgent, important, and unimportant―so that we will be as effective as possible at advancing the gospel in our time.”

Chronic Illness: Walking by Faith (31-Day Devotionals for Life)

Author: Esther Smith

“Chronic illness disrupts lives and leads to innumerable losses. Physical symptoms and limitation change all aspects of life, leading to unique challenges that are difficult to navigate. Thankfully, God provides his presence, counsel, and eternal perspective to help people in times of physical and emotional suffering. This 31-day devotional by biblical counselor Esther Smith focuses heavily on practical application, showing people with illness how to release guilt and shame, ask for help, balance work and rest, and get through days of difficult symptoms. Throughout the devotional, she reminds readers to look to the unseen spiritual realities that surround them and to fix their hearts on eternity. You will be encouraged as you consider various ways God is using illness in sanctifying, kingdom-advancing ways to display his glory and work in the hearts of his people.”

Note: If your chronic illness relates to mental health, I have also written a short devotional (called Sufficient Grace) that addresses that specifically. 

Christian History Made Easy

Author: Timothy Paul Jones

“Christian History Made Easy clearly lays out the most important events in the history of the church, from the time of Jesus to modern day. Christian History Made Easy explains early church history, the Church Councils, the Great Schism, the Crusades, Francis of Assisi, John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformation, and more. This incredible handbook presents key church history events and great Christian leaders everyone should know, along with full-color church history timelines, photos, pictures, and maps.”

Note: This is a great entry point (by an Evangelical author) into learning about our history and heritage as Christians. 

Is Jesus Truly God?: How the Bible Teaches the Divinity of Christ

Author: Greg Lanier

“This book invites readers to explore the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ by looking at 6 key truths presented in the Scriptures and later developed in the ecumenical creeds.”

Note: Christianity hinges on the truth of this doctrine (the divinity of Jesus Christ). Lanier does an academic but easy to read treatment of it. 

Surprised by Jesus: Subversive Grace in the Four Gospels

Author: Dane Ortlund

By the same author as Gentle and Lowly (another good book), comes this work focusing on how Jesus taught and showed grace in the four Gospels. Refreshing, comforting and fulfilling! 

A Note on Strength: An Open Letter to my Fellow Men

In the conservative subculture of our day, there is an immense pressure on men to be macho (“showing aggressive pride in one's masculinity”). This indeed can be a knee-jerk reaction to the rest of society’s low view of manliness. 

Manliness, as opposed to machismo, is a very good thing. Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 16:13 to:   

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”  

Note the phrase, “Be strong”. To be manly is often considered to be strong, not weak. And it is for this reason that so many men do not ask for help when they need it; they fear being perceived as weak by family, friends or society. 

But what happens when we find ourselves in a place of tremendous weakness? 

I was once a fully capable, independent man and proud of it. But when illness struck, I was forced to acknowledge that I was, in fact, weak.  Not weak in character mind you – but weak in physical and mental power. I learned the hard way that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

The question, however, is not whether we, as men, should be strong – but rather, where does our strength come from? King David, the poet-warrior, answered that question like this:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 

And Jesus, the perfect man, told his disciples (a motley crew of self-sufficient men) that:

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Nothing! We cannot work or play, we cannot fight or lead, without Jesus.  This is sobering, humbling, and, I have found, joyous. There is a great freedom when we can lay down all our burdens and feelings of inadequacies at Jesus’ feet and trust him with it. 

So, my fellow men (whether Christian or not), it is okay to be weak sometimes. We have to realize that weakness is not a dirty word for men. God says his strength is made perfect in it. 

Therefore, it’s okay to talk about your struggles or reach out for help. This is not weakness in character, it is strength in humility. 

7 Reflections on the Trinity

“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Mat 3:16-18

Introduction

The word “Trinity” itself does not appear in the Bible but rather, the doctrine of the Trinity is a progressive revelation throughout Scripture. It is hinted at in the Old Testament and solidified in the New Testament. It was then formulated into a creed (The Nicene Creed) by the early Church. The term “Trinity” was coined by Tertullian (A.D. 165-220).

When, Polycarp, the disciple of John the Apostle was martyred in 155 A.D. he said these words: 

“I glorify you, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, be glory both now and for the ages to come.”

The teaching of the Trinity is often seen as too complicated or even as a hindrance to telling others about the Christian faith. But when we think like this, we miss not only the foundation of our faith but also its beating heart.

One of the most important things we know about God is that He is love. He doesn’t just have love – He is love! However, as author Michael Reeves puts it, “…the truth is that God is love because God is a Trinity.”  

Reeves further explains:

“Father", (Jesus) says, “you have loved me before the creation of the world.” (John 17:24) 

And that is the God revealed by Jesus Christ. 

Before he ever created, before he ever ruled the world, before anything else, this God was a Father loving His Son (*a love we would later get to join into) ...

When you start with the Jesus of the Bible, it is a triune God you get. The Trinity then, is not the product of abstract speculation: when you proclaim Jesus, the Spirit-anointed Son of the Father, you proclaim the triune God."

What Is the Trinity?

The teaching of the triune nature of God is unique amongst all the world religions. All three main branches of the Christian Church (Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant – including Evangelicals) agree on and hold tightly to this doctrine of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

But before we go any further let’s learn what the Bible teaches about the Trinity. We’ll start with one theologian’s concise but effective definition:

“God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.”

 

Now let’s break that down:

God Is Three Persons

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Mat 28:19    

Each Person Is Fully God

The Father – 1st Person of the Trinity “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…” Matthew 6:9

The Son – 2nd Person of the Trinity “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  John 1:1 

This particular teaching – that Jesus is uncreated and fully God – is often attacked. There are many other Scripture passages that teach that Jesus is fully God but that is another blog altogether! 

The Holy Spirit – 3rd Person of the Trinity “You have not lied to man but to God.”  Acts 5:3-5

There Is One God

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Jesus reiterates this in Mark 12:29 and so does Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6)

The Relationships of the Trinity

It’s very important to understand that Jesus and the Holy Spirit were not made or created! The real difference between the 3 Persons of the Trinity is not their eternal nature or deity but in how they relate to each other. 

The Father is eternal (Psalm 90:2)

The Son is eternally begotten of the Father (John 3:16)

The Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26) 

We can use the sun as a bit of an illustration. Light comes from the sun (like Jesus comes from the Father), and heat comes from both the sun and light (like the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son)!

The true doctrine stresses the diversity of the Persons of the Trinity and the unity of God’s one essence.

Since we our made in the image of our triune God, we too thrive on healthy relationships in unity. 

 

“No sooner do I conceive of the One than I am illuminated by the splendour of the Three; no sooner do I distinguish them than I am carried back to the One… When I contemplate the Three together, I see but one torch, and cannot divide or measure out the undivided light.” Gregory of Nazianzus

What the Trinity Is Not

In seeking to understand more of what the Trinity is, it is helpful to understand what it is not. 

Here are three of the main errors that have been taught about the Trinity over the centuries:

Modalism claims that there is one Person who appears to us in three “modes”. One example is that the Father is the mode of God in the OT, the Son is the mode of God in the Gospels and the Holy Spirit is the mode of God in the here and now. But we clearly see all the three Persons of the Trinity in one place at one time in our text for today. Jesus also converses with his Father (see John 17). 

Arianism denies the full deity (or Godhood) of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit claiming they were created beings, made in time and space. This type of teaching is seen in Jehovah Witness’ doctrine. 

Tritheism claims there are three individual gods. This is basically polytheism and it is what some accuse Christians of teaching. But we remember the clear teaching that God is one. As Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)

What Is the Nicene Creed?

The Nicene Creed of the 4th century is perhaps the most important creed of the Church. 

A church creed is kind of like a statement of faith but from early Christianity (roughly the first 500 years).  It articulates what the Scriptures teach and is agreed upon across a wide variety of Christian churches. 

The Nicene Creed was undertaken when many church leaders came together in 325 A.D. at the lakeside town of Nicaea in modern day Turkey. There were a few leaders who were questioning the reality of the Trinity and whether Jesus was fully God (specifically a bishop named Arius). There were also those who strongly upheld the Trinity as taught in Scripture (like the great theologian, Athanasius) 

 After the meeting of Nicaea, the matter was settled with a vast majority agreeing that the teaching of the Trinity was in line with Scripture and that Jesus was indeed fully God incarnated in the flesh*. The Nicene creed is still held by all the major branches of Christianity of today.

Let’s read how these early Christian leaders summed up the Trinity in the Nicene Creed. Here are three portions:

“We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made… 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets…”

Can We Fully Explain the Trinity? 

The short answer is no. 

No analogy we come up with will fully explain the deep and mysterious truth of the Trinity. After all, God is infinite and we are not.   

We’ve all probably heard of the egg analogy (It is a shell, a white and a yolk but one egg).  There is also the analogy of water. It can come in 3 states while still being the same essence – Liquid, Solid (ice) and Gas (steam).   What is really interesting is that all three of these states can exist at one time – this is called the Triple point of water.  These analogies can be helpful but they still fall far short of fully describing the Trinity.

However, in his great work, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis had an interesting illustration to help us begin to understand what we cannot understand. 

“You know that in space you can move in three ways – to left or right, backwards or forwards, up or down. Every direction is either one of these three or a compromise between them. They are called the three Dimensions. Now notice this. If you are using only one dimension, you could draw only a straight line. If you are using two, you could draw a figure: say, a square. And a square is made up of four straight lines. Now a step further. If you have three dimensions, you can then build what we call a solid body: say, a cube – a thing like a dice or a lump of sugar. And a cube is made up of six squares.

In other words, as you advance to more real and more complicated levels, you do not leave behind you the things you found on the simpler levels: you still have them, but combined in new ways – in ways you could not imagine if you knew only the simpler levels…”

“In God’s dimension, so to speak, you find a being who is three Persons while remaining one Being, just as a cube is six squares while remaining one cube.” 

The Trinity and the Gospel

As we mentioned at the beginning, the Biblical statement “God is love” (1 John 4:8 &16) takes on a whole new meaning when we think of Him as a Trinity. God did not need humans to love or to love him – The Father, Son and Holy Spirit had already always loved each other. Then, out of an abundant overflow of that love, God decided to create us so that – astonishingly – we could partake in that sacred and beautiful love. 

We strayed from that love and begin to love ourselves instead of God. But God did not end it there – His abounding Trinitarian love redeemed us as well. This is seen in the gospel, and, when it comes to the gospel, we see again all three Persons of the Trinity playing crucial roles. 

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:4-7

The Father sent the Son into the world to redeem mankind and later raised Him from the dead. 

The Son obeyed the Father, putting aside some of His divine rights but none of His divine essence. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again. 

The Holy Spirit was sent by both the Father and the Son to ignite the Church and indwell Christians and empower them to live for God and enjoy Him.

In other words, the Father purposed redemption, the Son accomplished it and the Holy Spirit applies it to us personally.

So, once again we see that the triune nature of God is not only the foundation of our faith – it is the beating heart of it. 

Nicky Cruz, a former New York City gang leader who came to Christ, once said this:

“I have always believed in the doctrine of the Trinity but I had never experienced God personally as Three-in-One.  It was merely a doctrine in which I believed, but now it has become a truth of everyday life… The Trinity is not just a doctrine to be believed but an experience to be lived out.” 

I hope and pray we can begin to experience, enjoy and wonder in awe at the reality of the Trinity. 

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  2 Corinthians 13:14

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Although this period of time during the making of the Nicene Creed was marked by political – and even religious -unrest (and Constantine wanted some type of unifying creed), the wording of the creed was formed from the teaching of the New Testament and is now universally accepted by the Church. 

Scholar, Michael F. Bird, confirms this, “In other words, (*the creeds of Nicaea and Constantinople) of the fourth century are not purely politically driven and radically innovative statements of faith. They are, instead, contextualized clarification of New Testament teaching.”

Sources & Further Reading

The Bible

“Delighting in the Trinity” by Michael Reeves / IVP Academic

“The Trinity: An Introduction” by Scott R. Swain / Crossway

“The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything” by Fred Sanders / Crossway

“Is Jesus Truly God?” by Greg Lanier / Crossway 

“How God Became Jesus: The Real Origins of Belief in Jesus’ Divine Nature” by Michael F. Bird etc. / Zondervan

“Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals” by Gavin Ortlund / Crossway

“Historical Theology” by Gregg R.  Allison / Zondervan 

“Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem / Zondervan*

(*Note although I use Grudem’s Systematic Theology I do not subscribe to his doctrine of EFS or Eternal Functional Subordination of Jesus to the Father.  It is very important to maintain the equality of all three Persons of the Trinity.)