Theme

Authenticity

The theme verse for the 2011-2012 year is found in the book of Psalms:

“Into Your hand I commit my spirit.” (Psalm 31:5)

Throughout this year, we will be striving to live authentic Christian lifestyles. There are three parts to this theme.

1. Living According to God’s Standard

In committing our spirits into God’s hands, we are abiding by His standards. Jesus tells us that it is important to strive not only to meet God’s standards, but to do so with consistency (Mark 10:17-27). Once we enter the Christian walk, we are committed to live according to the commandments set out for God’s people—that is, according to a singular, invariable, absolute standard.

The difficulty in abiding by God’s standard is that there are so many other standards introduced into our lives, be they our own, of other people, of other cultures, or of other faiths. While these standards may be more appealing, appear to be more rewarding, or—most dangerously—be easier to abide by, it is only in relinquishing these other standards that we can live an authentic Christian lifestyle.

Being obedient to God’s standard is not a dry, fruitless duty. Jesus promises so much to those who abide in Him:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

(John 15:1-11)

In abiding in the commands of Christ, we are able to bear fruit (15:2), are made clean because of His Word (15:3), will bring glory to the Father (15:8), may abide in His love (15:9), and have fullness of joy (15:11). We are promised such a full life when we abide in Christ. The temporary and superficial rewards of abiding by other standards seem much less appealing when compared to the abundance of living according to God’s standard. It is only in Christ that we may bear much fruit.

2. Living by the Word

The theme verse is most commonly known as Jesus’ last words (Luke 23:46). Throughout Jesus’ life on Earth, He constantly used scripture to teach and demonstrate; these words are no different, being quoted from Psalm 31:5. If even the Son of God Himself devoted His time and energy to learning and speaking the Word, then we too must follow in the pursuit of Scripture. One of the major lessons to be gleamed from the theme verse is the utmost importance of living by the Word of God. Certainly, Jesus did so because He was to fulfill prophecies, but He also shows us the benefit of devoting our time to studying the Scripture, and devoting our lives to obeying it.

A fundamental aspect of living by the Word is committing it to memory. We are to memorize Scripture to avoid sin (Psalm 119:9-11), to protect us against Satan’s attacks and temptations (Matthew 4:1-11, Ephesians 6:17), and to share it with those who need the Gospel (Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Peter 3:15). God has prepared us well, and it is our responsibility to absorb the Word that He has provided.

3. Living in Perfection

It seems that there is little difference between authentic Christianity and perfection. Jesus says in his Sermon on the Mount, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This perfection finds its roots in the Gospel—that in our sin, we are divided from God, falling short of His glory. Sin, now engrained in us as a part of our identities, cuts us off from the holiness of God. But God was not satisfied with this, and out of His love for us His Son was sent to pay the price of sin. His life was paid in substitution for ours, so that we may be saved from death. And three days later, Jesus too conquered death in rising from the grave and ascending to be seated at the right hand of God.

This perfection that Jesus speaks of certainly stems from our salvation; however, it does not equate to the sinlessness only achievable by God. The type of blamelessness Jesus commanded of all of us—the type sought after by the authentic Christian—is that of freedom from sin in our choices. While we are born as sinners by nature, we are not yet able to make sinful choices in the innocence of infancy. As we grow and develop, we become able to sin. As authentic Christians, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are able to not sin. That is, we are not expected to be sinless on our own accord, but we are able to be close to God, who is sinless.

This is not some hazy, impossible goal set for us, nor is it an achievement worth boasting of when accomplished. Do not be discouraged at the idea of perfection. Instead, we must realize that even in our sin, His grace and mercy always allow and encourage us to return to Him. In times of rebellion against God, He still desires a close and intimate relationship with us (Hosea 2:14-23). When we find ourselves unable to give Him praise, He beckons us to return to Him (Joel 2:12-13). Even if we were to treat Him as dead, severing all ties between us and God, He is willing to forgive us if we are willing to repent (Luke 15:20-24).

Thus, KCCF’s theme for the 2011-2012 year is threefold:

Abide purely by God’s standard,

live authentically by the Word of God,

and strive for Biblical perfection in a close, authentic relationship with the Lord, returning to Him in times of sin.

“Into Your hand I commit my spirit.” (Psalm 31:5)