Saw Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds quoting Francis Schaeffer's No Little People this week:Chapter 4 of Francis Schaeffer's No Little People is entitled "The Lord's Work in the Lord's Way." The thesis is that "The Lord's work in the Lord's way is the Lord's work in the power of the Holy Spirit and not in the power of the flesh." Schaeffer argues that "the central problem of our age" is that "the church of the Lord Jesus Chris, individually or corporately, tending to do do the Lord's work in the power of the flesh rather than of the Spirit. The central problem is always in the midst of the people of God, not in the circumstances surrounding them" (p. 66).Schaeffer was both timely and ahead of his time. His writings seem more and more timeless to me.
I heard another haunting quote this week that fits here: "Do not let the work you do for God hinder the work God is doing in you." Doing God's work in human strength and confidence may hinder the work of transformation He is wanting in us.
Something to think about.
yes - i remember when i read his stuff thinking that it was for that time ... quite probably because he seemed to say it was. But now, in retrospect, it is all timeless.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this a lot lately. The contemporary strategies regarding building a 'relevant church' is necessary simply because our churches are functioning in man's wisdom and power. If Jesus is being reflected, complete with believers doing the works of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, it will always be relevant in every culture.
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