The Myth of the Single Solution
We’ve all been there – searching for that one “key” truth, a “secret” principle, or a foolproof technique to make Christian growth a certainty. But what if there’s no single solution? What if our sanctification is more complex than a simple “Just do this” formula?
A Multifaceted Gospel
The gospel of Jesus is many-splendored, and our growth in Christ requires a multifaceted approach. We need to move beyond the temptation to oversimplify, to reduce our faith to a single truth or action step. Instead, we must embrace the richness and diversity of God’s revelation.
Nine Assertions, Not One Solution
Consider nine common assertions that are often presented as the key to unlocking our Christian life:
- Remembering our justification
- Rehearsing our identity in Christ
- Making sure to obey God’s commands
- Asking for God’s help in prayer
- And five more…
While each of these assertions tells us something true and good, they become problematic when we try to reduce them to a single solution. None of these stands supreme, relegating the others to the shadows. None of these is magic.
The Importance of Context
Notice that these assertions are often framed abstractly, stripped of the names, places, experiences, failures, successes, dramatic actions, and vivid metaphors that clothe most biblical revelation. To be effective, these truths need to be brought back into the here and now, reclothed and walking on the ground where we walk.
The Need for Stories and Word Pictures
We need stories and word pictures, both from Scripture and from the testimonies of daily life, to help us understand how these truths get traction and get personal. We need practical help to work out the implications and applications for who we are, for where we struggle, for what we face.
The Role of Community and Creation
We need other people, God’s creation, and honesty about ourselves to help us grow in Christ. We need fresh object lessons, embodied faith and love, and many different wisdoms to illumine the different parts of life.
Beyond the “Just…” Formulas
The “Just…” formulas never meet the need. Our sanctification is more complex, more multifaceted, and more personal than any single solution can provide. Let’s move beyond the myth of the single solution and embracing the richness and diversity of God’s revelation.
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