Mist
There were five words that Davis spoke during the introduction to the new sermon series, “Zeal” that struck me to the core. He said, “our life is profoundly temporary.” Like a mist or a vapor. James says it this way:
James 4:14 “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
As believers this should also profoundly alter the paradigm of how we view our life and how we live it. That word vapor is defined in a few ways. I like going to Webster’s 1828 dictionary for definitions of words. It seems like the present-day dictionary writers don’t seem to mind changing definitions of words. But I digress. The way that the 1828 dictionary defines vapor (as a noun and a verb) is quite wide ranging including the following:
- The general idea of water vapor, which needs certain atmospheric conditions to be visible
- Other substances that resemble smoke but not necessarily smoke itself
- Wind or flatulence (this made me smile)
- Vain imagination
- Nervous debility
- Something unsubstantial
- To steam or evaporate
- To emit fumes
- To bully or boast
Now I’m sure not all of those definitions can apply to what Davis was speaking about. But there are some incredible pictures to see with these ideas. When we look at fog driving in the mornings in the spring or fall or when we go outside on cold winter day and we can “see our breath” there is a specific set of conditions that need to be met for that mist or vapor to be visible and that perceptibility is quite short. Sometimes we see something that looks like fog or smoke and are not sure what it is. I never thought of vapor as boasting or having vain ideas about our life. Without Christ we really have nothing to boast in. We can so quickly forget that He can do far more that we can ask or think (Eph 3:20).
Christ has a specific set of conditions for how life is to be lived. Like with “is it smoke or fog” is our life authentic in Christ or not? Life will be “visible” to him if we operate in those conditions like when we can see water vapor. It starts with the truth that His coming was to give us life abundantly (John 10:10). How can we have an abundant life, but it be so insignificantly short? How does such a vapor become abundant in Christ and His power? How can we live an unsubstantial life, something that seems so short and transitory and yet experience conditions where our life can be seen? Also, who are we trying to get to see our life?
These specific conditions for life set by Him deal with our desires. Basically it boils down to this: Is our first desire that of Christ’s?. The example He led on this earth was to do only what the Father said to do (John 5:19-20). The purpose of Christ being connected to a human body forever was to understand and do obedience, to do the Father’s will and be completely successful in that (Hebrews 10:5-7). Is the purpose of my life to be led by Him, to be transformed and understand His will (Rom 12:1-2)?
His abundant life comes also through His gifts. He has given us power (Acts 1:8) and gifts through the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13, Romans 11:29, 12:3-8, 1 Cor 12). Each member of the body of Christ has been gifted the Spirit to live on the inside. This gift is a seal for our inheritance (Eph 3:20). The Spirit is there to convict concerning sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:7-15) which is His main ministry. He has given us each specific gifts, they are many, as we are many in His body. We must function in those gifts in ways that are healthy and Christ-like. These gifts should not be utilized in ways that elevate someone over Christ, although they often can be.
We have hyper-charismatic believers that operate in these gifts without any accountability and with the belief that with enough faith we can convince God to do what we want. On the other hand there are those that believe in cessation of the gifts that the God that doesn’t change would fundamentally change how His Spirit operates. Both are equally wrong. Gifts must be used to benefit the body of Christ, lead by the head (Christ Himself) to firstly convict of sin, righteousness and judgement. Secondly, the gifts are given for the common good (1 Cor 12:7) to have the same care for on another (1 Cor 12:25). This is so we can boast in Him and not our feeble abilities.
Paul speaks of this one body in Christ idea to the Ephesians (Eph 4). The whole purpose of one body one Spirit (with many gifts) is to equip all believers. To grow up (mature) in every way into Him. Every person with their gift working well, in a healthy manner, submitted to Christ makes the body grow. Paul also connects the gift of the Spirt to walking in holiness which is directly connected to Christ’s resurrection (Romans 1:1-7). This holiness walk is the main driving force for individual and corporate maturity in Christ.
The short life is only abundant because He has given us so many beautiful gifts. The gift of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, both to honor Christ first and then to be led by His Lordship to healthy usage for the benefit of the body. I believe that all the gifts should be used and are still gifted to us by Him. The only way that these gifts will glorify Him is when we use them from a heart position that is postured toward submission to Him in all areas of life.
Christ is the source. He wants to give us His life for us to experience His fullness. We must come to a place of loving Him so deeply that the way we live life is when Christ is operating through us. This deep love also understands His definition for abundant life, not ours. We likely have questions that need answering. With such a profoundly temporary life who are we going to for answers? If our life vanished tomorrow, have I positioned myself to love and submit to Christ today, right now? What gifts has He given me? And am I operating in those gifts in a healthy way that honors Him and the body of Christ?