God speaks through the prophet Isaiah to the nation of Judah in Isaiah 1 and gives a clear summation of the difference between false religion and true religion: "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?...I've had enough of your burnt offerings...the fat of well-fed beasts...I do not delight in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats...Bring no more vain offerings...Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates...they have become a burden to me" (1:11-14). This would appear to be harsh from a God who so clearly appointed Israel to practice said sacrifices and feasts. Why have these practices become such an abomination? Because of 1:16-17: "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." Apparently in the midst of all of the above (former) "worshipful" acts Judah is practicing, they are neglecting those (latter) obvious social needs, and in turn leaving many people unprovided for, and in need. This is why God says to take care of THESE things first, before they come back for sacrifice and feasts (Isaiah will conclude this argument in ch 58).
The clear teaching is that Judah had come to the point of letting their worship be done in ritual, outwardly, while inside their hearts are far from God. This is why God says in 29:13 "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me," which is cited by Jesus in speaking to Pharisees who are exalting their social rules above God's Word (cf. Matt 15, Mark 7). It's important to remember that God sees people's hearts (see 1 Sam 16:7, Rom 8:27, Heb 4:12-13, among others). The failure to realize this is the cause for many Christians' misunderstandings about what true worship is, as Judah in Isaiah 1 had misunderstood. It's not that the worshipful practices (sacrifice, feasts, etc.) are bad--the practices are good...the problem is that that's all they are: practices; but they're not worshipful anymore (if they ever were).
Inevitably, if left up to their self, every single person on planet Earth will come to the Lord cheaply, in practice, but not in worship. I believe "these people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me" is a summary statement of the Bible's teaching on the state of humanity. I also believe it's an accurate summary statement for much of the 21st century American Church: people who honor the Lord with their lips, but have hearts that are far from Him--they're deceived into thinking that their practices make them Christian; but the nature of deception is that many who think they're not deceived actually are still, and God, who sees hearts, is aware of it and isn't deceived (see Matt 7:21-23, John 9:39-41). We must "examine ourselves, to see if we're in the faith" (2 Cor. 13:5).
This is why the work of the Beloved Son, our Lord, is so important to our state before a holy God. We could never trick God since He already knows our hearts, and good works never outweigh a bad heart. Further, we couldn't disappoint Him because to be disappointed is to be let down--God is never let down, because He gains nothing from us. All of our worship doesn't gain Him--He is exalted ABOVE all of our praise (Nehemiah 9:5).
The work of Christ is to purify our hearts, and create in us a desire for the glory of the Living God. The prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Malachi...especially Mal 3:1-4) bear witness that the Christ's work will be to purify and sanctify the "offerings" given unto the Lord in His Temple. In Christ, God's people are the Temple (1 Cor. 3:16, 2 Cor. 6:16, Heb 3:6, among others). Whereas with Israel, worship was something you went to the temple to do, with Christians, worship is something that continually is happening all of the time. The reason for this is that in Christ, God has "changed our hearts" and "written his law on our hearts" (see Ezek 36 and Jerem 31). In this way, God is purifying the sacrifices of worship by changing people's hearts. (Is your heart any different than it was before you were a Christian? It's not a question of "do you go to church or not?" or "do you know you're going to heaven?", but rather "are you any different?")
By condemning sin in Christ's body, God has "done what the law, weakened by the flesh could not do...in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:3-4). Paul is telling us that in Christ's work, God has ensured followers in this world. Whereas He initially gave the Law, since man's heart was the problem, Israel couldn't keep up to it. So in Christ, God MAKES followers who will obey Him and love Him. We're reminded of John the Baptizer's sobering and humbling words in Luke 3:8, "God is able to raise from these very stones children of Abraham." God can do what God wants. He knows more than we know, is more powerful than we are, is more in control than our control is...this is God's world and God can do what God wants, which includes causing people to follow Him in such a way that they won't stop. And how is this the case?--that He unites them with His eternal Son who has been giving Him glory and honor since the very beginning of time...this Son even prayed that the new worshipers would be united with Him IN eternity, to share the glory that has been between the Father and Son since the beginning (see Jn 17:20-24). And the world has never seen a more sure-fire pray-er than Christ Himself.
Whereas Israel had failed to obtain "the promise" because of their disobedience and laxness of religion (as spoken of in Isaiah 1), Romans 9
has Paul telling us that this new work enacted in Christ is work that is received by Gentiles (non-Israelites) because
Israel has "failed to reach that law...because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works" (9:32).
And this is exactly what Isaiah wrote of: coming to the Temple with polluted offerings, with comatose half-asleep deadness, because they don't love God, but love themselves and their lives more than anything else. Even their love of God is love of self, because they only seek to get from Him what will benefit themselves (in their own eyes) the most. And since they don't love God, their temple practices are their own way to seek to justify themselves, while God stays at a distance and then owes them heaven after they die. This is why they couldn't "obtain the promise."
But in Christ, God (again) has "done what the law, weakened by the flesh couldn't do...in order that (we)...walk according to the Spirit." The very Spirit of the Living God has been placed inside of us--there is a "secret and hidden wisdom of God" which consists of "what God has prepared for those who love him", and "these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:7,9-10). What is this wisdom that is given to us? It is that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the Living God", as Peter said, to which Jesus responded, "flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven" (Matt 16:16-17).
When you are crushed under the weight of a holy and sovereign God who alone is good (Mk 10:18), who does all things well and right (Deut. 32:4, Dan 4:37), who is in sovereign control of everything (Deut. 32:39, Job 23:13), who sustains everything and holds it together (Job 34:14-15, Heb 1:3) and who has eyes inside your heart (1 Sam. 16:7, Heb 4:12-13) and is able to make a person into a Christian (Lk 3:8, Jn 6:63-70), any pride or arrogance or even laziness that you harbor is crushed as well. You throw yourself on the mercy and grace that are in Christ Jesus because you love him and hate yourself; you repent of all of your works because all they are is bad and if there are any good, you know it was God's goodness in providence; you call out on the name of the Lord and are saved, because ALL who call on the name of the Lord are saved. Easily we're reminded of the sinful tax collector from Luke 18 who was in the Temple and only knew one thing to do: put his head down, beat his breast, and cry out "have mercy on me, a sinner". It's in that place that he (without following any rules) "went down to his house justified" (Lk 18:13-14).
This is because, again, God doesn't delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices. At least, He doesn't delight in them near as much as "a broken spirit, (and) a broken and contrite heart" (Ps. 51:17), for these are "the sacrifices of God".
And it is from this place that Paul gives the summary challenge in Romans 12:1: after all of the theology of salvation, with emphases in a) God's absolute sovereignty, b) man's fallenness, and c) Christ's work's sufficiency in justifying them before Him, Paul concludes with, "therefore..by the mercies of God..present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." To those who are in Christ, this is the only option. And those who do this are those who are in Christ. Wherever Christ is, there is the Spirit; wherever the Spirit is, there is freedom; and wherever freedom is, there is Christ, because if the Son sets you free, "you'll be free indeed".
This is true religion.
Scott Stine - Pastor of First Baptist Church, Newton NJ. Follower of Jesus; husband, daddy, PhD student, too distracted by basketball.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Depressed Christian, and True Joy
"'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.' Jesus answered them, 'Did I not choose you?'...'I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.'"
--John 6:68-70, 16:33
Any internet report or medical journal will tell you that depression is a major problem in our society. From the multi-billion dollar industry that is depression medications, to the frustration over the fact that said medications usually don't actually help, this is a problem that isn't very easily solved. Countless doctors come into work every day, taking new patients who are specifically sitting in their office seeking help for "this dark feeling I always have over me". The doctor will prescribe a medication, refer the patient to a therapist or counselor, and since the doctor has many other patients, that's all he can do. As the patient takes their new medication, the excitement that "this could be the one" overtakes them, and the easy conclusion is that "this IS the one" because they temporarily feel better. But give it a few weeks, the excitement wears off, and the darkness creeps back in, accompanied by (seemingly) an even deeper sense of hopelessness. "Nothing will ever help." The only thing that usually does help is going to the counselor--thus the reports that psychotherapy is the best way of dealing with depression. But it shouldn't take a doctor or "experts" to conclude that the most helpful ways for one in despair is to talk about it--that's easy. But again, the good feeling after talking about it usually wears off within a few hours.
In my experience with depression (formerly diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, now skeptical of this diagnoses and more in favor of I-Need-Jesus-Disorder; also, over the years dealing with depressed people in my ministries), I've noticed there are the smaller ingredients, which flow out of principal ingredients. The smaller include the daily and easily discernible symptoms: Sadness (over...everything, and not just one thing), Worry/anxiety (over "the worst" happening; more on that shortly), Disillusionment (a feeling that "the world isn't as it seems, and nothing/no one can be trusted...even myself"), Loneliness ("no one understands, and what works for others' happiness doesn't work for me, so I'm the freak"), Confusion ("nothing seems to make sense, and I can't remember anything anymore"), and Racing Thoughts (mind runs a million miles a minute, and can't help it). While calling these "the smaller" runs the risk of making it sound like they're less important, all I mean is that they fit under the umbrella of the two "principals". These Principals include: Loss of Control (I've lost control of where my mind goes, how I think, how I act, everything), and Fear (whatever bad can happen probably will, since self-control appears to be lost; "if I was to walk into the middle of a crowded room, I'd probably collapse and fall down in the middle of everyone and have an anxiety attack, embarrassing myself, because what if I lose control of my legs and my thoughts at the same time?" is a common thought).
It's the loss of control and fear (the principals) that govern the first-mentioned symptoms (smaller). The sadness is over the fear that governs the person's life, worry is comorbid with fear anyways, disillusionment is over the fact that the world looks darker than it used to ("whether it's the world's fault, or my own doesn't matter"), loneliness is over the fact that everyone else looks "fine" while the person is afraid and out of control, and confusion and racing thoughts run how the mind works. Furthermore, one feels they can't concentrate on any external task because they're just trying to keep check on their internal thought process (which they can't control, but can't help but try to).
This is the problem that baffles doctors and scientists. They have no idea how to fix this, but the medical field rakes in shiploads of money each month on medications being bought by people just hoping for some relief.
-------------------------------
Statistics show that this is as much of a problem among Christians as it is among non-Christians. Christians have the feeling that, as Christians, they're supposed to be happier and more joyful than others, and when they look at themselves and realize they aren't, their depression is perhaps even worse than it could be, because this is yet another thing that doesn't make sense and another way they feel like a freak who is alone in this world (and when they attend church, everyone else appears happy, and since no one in church ever talks of bearing each other's burdens like the Bible does--see Rom. 15:1, Gal. 6:2, 1 Thes. 5:14--these problems people struggle with are never brought out into the open of the fellowship where they should be safest!)
When the depressed person reads Jesus' words in John 10:10, "I've come that (my sheep) might have life, and have it to the fullest", they 'amen' it in church, but in their hearts, "Yeah right...THIS isn't life to the fullest." Perhaps their depression seemed to intensify as they got more serious in their walk with Christ--as they began learning the truths about Jesus and His Word, they noticed a break with their old self--and they don't like it, because "I lost control, and now my life is marked by fear!" So add to their fears and anxieties the feeling their Christianity is to blame. To those reading that don't understand this line of thinking, don't judge without understanding. This is the way a depressed mind works, and if the depressed person could change it, they would.
Perhaps the achilles heel of the depression epidemic is the fact that it's being worked on by people in the medical and science fields who don't really understand it. And this isn't their fault--for one to understand it, they have to experience it, and depression is a deep and dark place that should never be wished on anyone. But it is still true that those working on it are those that look at the problem in purely objective terms. And depression isn't objective--it is not just a character flaw in a person, but it encompasses entirely the whole person. The person doesn't say, "My name is Phil, and I struggle with depression". If they're honest, it's "My name is Phil, and I am depressed." In the former, Phil calls it a part of him--but the latter is more accurate, because if Phil struggles with it, he probably is owned by it. A doctor/scientist can't understand this unless they understand this. This is why they can only speculate how these medications work without knowing for sure, with inconsistent results across the board.
----------------------------
When Peter says in John 6 that Jesus has "the words of eternal life", do you think this is Peter's way of saying, "I know that for me to live for forever, I must stay in you, so here I am"? Of course he IS saying this, but I think he's saying much more. Peter is telling Jesus, in effect, "I find my life in the words that you speak". In other words, "Jesus, I'm encompassed by your words. They're not just part of me...they ARE me. So where else would we go?" This is why Peter later describes the Christian life in terms of "for (we) were straying life sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of (our) souls" (1 Pet. 2:25). In essence, "once we were lost, but when Christ spoke the true Word of eternal life, it gave us life...now we're owned by it".
This is consistent with what Jesus had later said in the John 16 passage: "I've said these things to you, that in me you may have peace." His words are spoken by him so that we would have peace. Coming to Him, listening to Him, subjecting ourselves to Him (and realizing that He DID choose us, as the Jn 6 passage states), we are coming to the source of peace. More, it is the only source of true peace. "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life...if the Son sets you free, you'll be free indeed" (Jn 6:63, 8:36). Jesus is saying that the one who comes to Him (is drawn to Him) will listen to the words of spirit and life, and be set free. In this, they will have peace. Being in Christ and united with Christ (Col. 3:1-3), there is true peace.
The depressed mind really struggles with this. This is because the depressed mind is skeptical of everything, and since it's only concern is to maintain control of the only thing it can control (the feeling of at least monitoring these thoughts), the only thing that would be believable is that which would effectively bring an immediate freedom/healing. Whereas Christianity (if it be true Christianity) is concerned with good news of something that has already happened (Christ's cross, Christ's resurrection), and must be received in faith (Rom. 4:22-5:1), the depressed mind can only yield faith if the work of Christ appears to be more trustworthy than the work of the world and even the work of the depressed person.
In this sense, the depressed person may be at an advantage over the "normal person" (a horrible way to describe non-depressed, but it's how depressed people view others) with regard to Christian faith. The advantage is in that the depressed person already is disillusioned with the world--they realize there isn't a whole lot that they can trust in, so they don't trust. The problem is that the depressed person is so turned in on their self that the only thing they do trust in is their obsessive thinking. But if the person would come to Christ, they must understand that their obsessive thinking is a subconscious sin, so it isn't trustworthy either! And yet even with this, based on the work of Christ, God adopts you and calls you a child even WITH your obsessive thinking, with the promise that He'll help you and change you.
The depressed Christian may say "I don't feel any different--I don't feel like a child of God; I thought Jesus said He'd set me free". But again, Christian faith is based on a proclamation--the Word of Christ--and not feeling or emotion. The Word comes first, and the feelings and emotions are taken care of over time, as your life is built on the rock of this Word (Matt. 7:24-29; Jude 20-21, 24-25). When Romans 13:14 tells us to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh", it doesn't mean "put on the peace and happiness contained in Christ", as though we could force that--it means "come to Christ and listen to His Word--and the peace will come as He works his word into your bones; put on Him, and He'll put on His peace in you".
What makes "Christ and Him crucified" a "stumbling block...and foolishness" to many people (1 Cor. 1:23) is the fact that people only will buy into something which appears to be immediately helpful. The word of the cross where Christ is crucified subjects the one who hears it and says, "Even if you don't think you need this--you're dependent upon it for life." Peter realized this.
Perhaps the depressed person, with the obsessive thoughts, hopelessness, sadness, etc. could take inventory of the truth that it appears there isn't anything to lean on anymore, and throw themselves on the mercy that is in Christ. The only way to change bad thought habits based on falsity is to continually keep coming to the foot of truth. God's Word is truth (Jn 17:17), and God's Word is Christ (1:1). It won't be easy, or instant--but it'll be true, and over time, it will be effective.
Jesus said that if one would come to Him they must "deny themselves" (Mark 8:34). I've dealt with depressive thoughts and tendencies for about 6 years now (and I think longer than that--but they intensified 6 years ago). But the difference between now and a few years ago is found in that statement: they're becoming just thoughts and tendencies--they don't own me anymore. Why is this? Because Christ owns me. It hasn't been quick--it's taken time. But it's the truth. God prophesied before Jesus came that when He came, "the nations will know that I'm the Lord" (Ezek. 36:23), and there are many such statements in Ezekiel and Isaiah. Friend, Christ has come to reveal that He is Lord. And when we turn to Him, despite all of our assumptions and thoughts and obsessions and problems...and most importantly, our sin...He shows us that He's Lord, and then He gives us His peace. But His peace only comes through His Word. Just ask Peter! The answer is not "have more faith"--the answer is "put on Christ, and be patient".
So I'll close with 5 quick points of take-away--a few thoughts from one pilgrim on the way to another:
1. Don't listen to yourself. The enemy the Devil seeks to devour you (1 Pet 5:8), and he'll do it through accusations and lies (Gen 3:1-2, John 8:44). One of the greatest ways this happens is through his convincing you that you're standard of truth (especially regarding yourself) is better than God's. Don't listen to yourself. Listen to Christ and His Word--HE'S the truth (Jn 14:6, Eph. 4:21). Even preach the gospel to yourself (out loud...speaking), for then you'll hear yourself, and you'll have faith (Rom. 10:17).
2. Don't think you're alone. In the same 1 Peter passage quoted in the above point, after speaking of the devil, Peter adds, "Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world" (5:9). Furthermore, your Savior was full of anxiety at one time as well, "to the point of death"--He knows what you're going through (Matt 26:37-39, Luke 22:44). He was betrayed by a good friend, and even knows what it's like to pray a prayer to God that doesn't get answered ("Let this cup pass from me..." after which he drank the cup fully).
3. Don't look inside--look outside. You will never be saved by "finding yourself" or "understanding yourself". The only way to be saved is to look OUT to Christ and find peace at the throne of grace which you approach through Him (Hebrews 4:15-16).
4. Believe what Jesus says regardless of how hard it is to believe. He's Lord, He's resurrected, if He says you're His, you are, even if you don't feel like it necessarily.
5. Allow this depression to swing the door open to the renewing of your mind that happens in Christ. Rom 12:2 calls you to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you can discern what the will of the Lord is". A similar statement is made by Paul in Eph. 4:22-24: "Put off your old self...and be renewed in the spirit of your minds...put on your new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Though it may not seem like it, this depression is (not "might be", but IS) God's gracious way of sovereignly changing/shaping/molding you into the likeness of Himself in Christ--and to get to Christ's resurrection, you have to take up the cross and die to your sin with Him. But there WILL be resurrection!
"So take heart, for I have overcome the world."
--John 6:68-70, 16:33
Any internet report or medical journal will tell you that depression is a major problem in our society. From the multi-billion dollar industry that is depression medications, to the frustration over the fact that said medications usually don't actually help, this is a problem that isn't very easily solved. Countless doctors come into work every day, taking new patients who are specifically sitting in their office seeking help for "this dark feeling I always have over me". The doctor will prescribe a medication, refer the patient to a therapist or counselor, and since the doctor has many other patients, that's all he can do. As the patient takes their new medication, the excitement that "this could be the one" overtakes them, and the easy conclusion is that "this IS the one" because they temporarily feel better. But give it a few weeks, the excitement wears off, and the darkness creeps back in, accompanied by (seemingly) an even deeper sense of hopelessness. "Nothing will ever help." The only thing that usually does help is going to the counselor--thus the reports that psychotherapy is the best way of dealing with depression. But it shouldn't take a doctor or "experts" to conclude that the most helpful ways for one in despair is to talk about it--that's easy. But again, the good feeling after talking about it usually wears off within a few hours.
In my experience with depression (formerly diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, now skeptical of this diagnoses and more in favor of I-Need-Jesus-Disorder; also, over the years dealing with depressed people in my ministries), I've noticed there are the smaller ingredients, which flow out of principal ingredients. The smaller include the daily and easily discernible symptoms: Sadness (over...everything, and not just one thing), Worry/anxiety (over "the worst" happening; more on that shortly), Disillusionment (a feeling that "the world isn't as it seems, and nothing/no one can be trusted...even myself"), Loneliness ("no one understands, and what works for others' happiness doesn't work for me, so I'm the freak"), Confusion ("nothing seems to make sense, and I can't remember anything anymore"), and Racing Thoughts (mind runs a million miles a minute, and can't help it). While calling these "the smaller" runs the risk of making it sound like they're less important, all I mean is that they fit under the umbrella of the two "principals". These Principals include: Loss of Control (I've lost control of where my mind goes, how I think, how I act, everything), and Fear (whatever bad can happen probably will, since self-control appears to be lost; "if I was to walk into the middle of a crowded room, I'd probably collapse and fall down in the middle of everyone and have an anxiety attack, embarrassing myself, because what if I lose control of my legs and my thoughts at the same time?" is a common thought).
It's the loss of control and fear (the principals) that govern the first-mentioned symptoms (smaller). The sadness is over the fear that governs the person's life, worry is comorbid with fear anyways, disillusionment is over the fact that the world looks darker than it used to ("whether it's the world's fault, or my own doesn't matter"), loneliness is over the fact that everyone else looks "fine" while the person is afraid and out of control, and confusion and racing thoughts run how the mind works. Furthermore, one feels they can't concentrate on any external task because they're just trying to keep check on their internal thought process (which they can't control, but can't help but try to).
This is the problem that baffles doctors and scientists. They have no idea how to fix this, but the medical field rakes in shiploads of money each month on medications being bought by people just hoping for some relief.
-------------------------------
Statistics show that this is as much of a problem among Christians as it is among non-Christians. Christians have the feeling that, as Christians, they're supposed to be happier and more joyful than others, and when they look at themselves and realize they aren't, their depression is perhaps even worse than it could be, because this is yet another thing that doesn't make sense and another way they feel like a freak who is alone in this world (and when they attend church, everyone else appears happy, and since no one in church ever talks of bearing each other's burdens like the Bible does--see Rom. 15:1, Gal. 6:2, 1 Thes. 5:14--these problems people struggle with are never brought out into the open of the fellowship where they should be safest!)
When the depressed person reads Jesus' words in John 10:10, "I've come that (my sheep) might have life, and have it to the fullest", they 'amen' it in church, but in their hearts, "Yeah right...THIS isn't life to the fullest." Perhaps their depression seemed to intensify as they got more serious in their walk with Christ--as they began learning the truths about Jesus and His Word, they noticed a break with their old self--and they don't like it, because "I lost control, and now my life is marked by fear!" So add to their fears and anxieties the feeling their Christianity is to blame. To those reading that don't understand this line of thinking, don't judge without understanding. This is the way a depressed mind works, and if the depressed person could change it, they would.
Perhaps the achilles heel of the depression epidemic is the fact that it's being worked on by people in the medical and science fields who don't really understand it. And this isn't their fault--for one to understand it, they have to experience it, and depression is a deep and dark place that should never be wished on anyone. But it is still true that those working on it are those that look at the problem in purely objective terms. And depression isn't objective--it is not just a character flaw in a person, but it encompasses entirely the whole person. The person doesn't say, "My name is Phil, and I struggle with depression". If they're honest, it's "My name is Phil, and I am depressed." In the former, Phil calls it a part of him--but the latter is more accurate, because if Phil struggles with it, he probably is owned by it. A doctor/scientist can't understand this unless they understand this. This is why they can only speculate how these medications work without knowing for sure, with inconsistent results across the board.
----------------------------
When Peter says in John 6 that Jesus has "the words of eternal life", do you think this is Peter's way of saying, "I know that for me to live for forever, I must stay in you, so here I am"? Of course he IS saying this, but I think he's saying much more. Peter is telling Jesus, in effect, "I find my life in the words that you speak". In other words, "Jesus, I'm encompassed by your words. They're not just part of me...they ARE me. So where else would we go?" This is why Peter later describes the Christian life in terms of "for (we) were straying life sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of (our) souls" (1 Pet. 2:25). In essence, "once we were lost, but when Christ spoke the true Word of eternal life, it gave us life...now we're owned by it".
This is consistent with what Jesus had later said in the John 16 passage: "I've said these things to you, that in me you may have peace." His words are spoken by him so that we would have peace. Coming to Him, listening to Him, subjecting ourselves to Him (and realizing that He DID choose us, as the Jn 6 passage states), we are coming to the source of peace. More, it is the only source of true peace. "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life...if the Son sets you free, you'll be free indeed" (Jn 6:63, 8:36). Jesus is saying that the one who comes to Him (is drawn to Him) will listen to the words of spirit and life, and be set free. In this, they will have peace. Being in Christ and united with Christ (Col. 3:1-3), there is true peace.
The depressed mind really struggles with this. This is because the depressed mind is skeptical of everything, and since it's only concern is to maintain control of the only thing it can control (the feeling of at least monitoring these thoughts), the only thing that would be believable is that which would effectively bring an immediate freedom/healing. Whereas Christianity (if it be true Christianity) is concerned with good news of something that has already happened (Christ's cross, Christ's resurrection), and must be received in faith (Rom. 4:22-5:1), the depressed mind can only yield faith if the work of Christ appears to be more trustworthy than the work of the world and even the work of the depressed person.
In this sense, the depressed person may be at an advantage over the "normal person" (a horrible way to describe non-depressed, but it's how depressed people view others) with regard to Christian faith. The advantage is in that the depressed person already is disillusioned with the world--they realize there isn't a whole lot that they can trust in, so they don't trust. The problem is that the depressed person is so turned in on their self that the only thing they do trust in is their obsessive thinking. But if the person would come to Christ, they must understand that their obsessive thinking is a subconscious sin, so it isn't trustworthy either! And yet even with this, based on the work of Christ, God adopts you and calls you a child even WITH your obsessive thinking, with the promise that He'll help you and change you.
The depressed Christian may say "I don't feel any different--I don't feel like a child of God; I thought Jesus said He'd set me free". But again, Christian faith is based on a proclamation--the Word of Christ--and not feeling or emotion. The Word comes first, and the feelings and emotions are taken care of over time, as your life is built on the rock of this Word (Matt. 7:24-29; Jude 20-21, 24-25). When Romans 13:14 tells us to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh", it doesn't mean "put on the peace and happiness contained in Christ", as though we could force that--it means "come to Christ and listen to His Word--and the peace will come as He works his word into your bones; put on Him, and He'll put on His peace in you".
What makes "Christ and Him crucified" a "stumbling block...and foolishness" to many people (1 Cor. 1:23) is the fact that people only will buy into something which appears to be immediately helpful. The word of the cross where Christ is crucified subjects the one who hears it and says, "Even if you don't think you need this--you're dependent upon it for life." Peter realized this.
Perhaps the depressed person, with the obsessive thoughts, hopelessness, sadness, etc. could take inventory of the truth that it appears there isn't anything to lean on anymore, and throw themselves on the mercy that is in Christ. The only way to change bad thought habits based on falsity is to continually keep coming to the foot of truth. God's Word is truth (Jn 17:17), and God's Word is Christ (1:1). It won't be easy, or instant--but it'll be true, and over time, it will be effective.
Jesus said that if one would come to Him they must "deny themselves" (Mark 8:34). I've dealt with depressive thoughts and tendencies for about 6 years now (and I think longer than that--but they intensified 6 years ago). But the difference between now and a few years ago is found in that statement: they're becoming just thoughts and tendencies--they don't own me anymore. Why is this? Because Christ owns me. It hasn't been quick--it's taken time. But it's the truth. God prophesied before Jesus came that when He came, "the nations will know that I'm the Lord" (Ezek. 36:23), and there are many such statements in Ezekiel and Isaiah. Friend, Christ has come to reveal that He is Lord. And when we turn to Him, despite all of our assumptions and thoughts and obsessions and problems...and most importantly, our sin...He shows us that He's Lord, and then He gives us His peace. But His peace only comes through His Word. Just ask Peter! The answer is not "have more faith"--the answer is "put on Christ, and be patient".
So I'll close with 5 quick points of take-away--a few thoughts from one pilgrim on the way to another:
1. Don't listen to yourself. The enemy the Devil seeks to devour you (1 Pet 5:8), and he'll do it through accusations and lies (Gen 3:1-2, John 8:44). One of the greatest ways this happens is through his convincing you that you're standard of truth (especially regarding yourself) is better than God's. Don't listen to yourself. Listen to Christ and His Word--HE'S the truth (Jn 14:6, Eph. 4:21). Even preach the gospel to yourself (out loud...speaking), for then you'll hear yourself, and you'll have faith (Rom. 10:17).
2. Don't think you're alone. In the same 1 Peter passage quoted in the above point, after speaking of the devil, Peter adds, "Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world" (5:9). Furthermore, your Savior was full of anxiety at one time as well, "to the point of death"--He knows what you're going through (Matt 26:37-39, Luke 22:44). He was betrayed by a good friend, and even knows what it's like to pray a prayer to God that doesn't get answered ("Let this cup pass from me..." after which he drank the cup fully).
3. Don't look inside--look outside. You will never be saved by "finding yourself" or "understanding yourself". The only way to be saved is to look OUT to Christ and find peace at the throne of grace which you approach through Him (Hebrews 4:15-16).
4. Believe what Jesus says regardless of how hard it is to believe. He's Lord, He's resurrected, if He says you're His, you are, even if you don't feel like it necessarily.
5. Allow this depression to swing the door open to the renewing of your mind that happens in Christ. Rom 12:2 calls you to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you can discern what the will of the Lord is". A similar statement is made by Paul in Eph. 4:22-24: "Put off your old self...and be renewed in the spirit of your minds...put on your new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Though it may not seem like it, this depression is (not "might be", but IS) God's gracious way of sovereignly changing/shaping/molding you into the likeness of Himself in Christ--and to get to Christ's resurrection, you have to take up the cross and die to your sin with Him. But there WILL be resurrection!
"So take heart, for I have overcome the world."
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