Inward Patterns of Pursuit

Colossians 2:20–23 NKJV

20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

I want to talk to you about leveraging inward patterns for change so that you can more effectively enter into the Christian experience.

Why should this matter to you? Why should you spend your time and attention on such things as inward patterns?

Christianity is more about preparing for a life with God than it is escaping a life without Him.

We spend a lot of our focus on the forgiveness of sin. And make no mistake, this is essential to enter into the kingdom. We must be redeemed from bondage to sin and delivered from the corruption and consequence of it. But salvation by faith is the end of death and beginning of life.

2 Peter 1:2–8 NKJV

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christianity is about learning how to truly live in union with God (John 10:10).

Sin separates and iniquity twists our nature so that it pulls against God (Isaiah 59:2). This is why we must learn to walk in the new nature which is formed after the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 59:2).

Applying the inward patterns of pursuit will begin to make straight the crooked places in our lives and enable us to live more completely in the kingdom of God (Isaiah 45:2).

The Way of the Master

Despite how much we’d like it, there is no “magic bullet” for becoming a new creation we were meant to become in Christ (cf. John 1:12).

“Grace is opposed to earning, not effort.” — Dallas Willard

Many of us want God to wave His hand or speak a word and instantly change us and our world. But that is not how it works. He invites us to participate in the life He has prepared for us, a life of fellowship and communion with Him.

To enter into this new life we need to follow the pattern of life that Jesus modeled for us. These disciplines were taught by Christ and then practiced by the Church throughout each generation.

If this is the way of life that Jesus and disciples for over 2000 years followed shouldn’t it be our way as well? How different would the quality of your life be if you, too, followed the heavenly pattern?

Developing Inward Patterns

These are ancient patterns, time tested and proven in the lives of many believers of Christ over a long period of time. They are the ancient paths where the good way is and will lead us to a richer life with God (Jeremiah 18:15).

For this series, I have chosen to adopt the categories and list that Richard Foster uses in his book Celebration of Discipline.

I am doing this partly because I hope you might find it as a useful resource and encourage you to pick it up so that you can use it yourself. That said, I am using the list, but not the content.

These patterns work on us inwardly. They work to conform us to Christ and more than that they work to draw us closer to Him.

As we explore these patterns we must remember not to make any of them a law. These are a means of grace given to us so that the Spirit of God might form and shape us. In other words, the goal of these things is to encounter God, not to simply say that we did them.

2 Corinthians 3:6 M:BCL

His letter authorizes us to help carry out this new plan of action. The plan wasn’t written out with ink on paper, with pages and pages of legal footnotes, killing your spirit. It’s written with Spirit on spirit, his life on our lives!

Here are the four inward patterns that you can begin to follow in your pursuit of a deeper and more authentic life of faith.

Meditation

Joshua 1:8 NKJV

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

The first pattern is meditation. The goal of biblical meditation is to learn to hear God’s voice, to become sensitive to His way of speaking and to become aware of His words.

Unlike other forms of meditation, biblical meditation does not seek to empty your mind or your thoughts as much as it is to open your heart to God’s voice through His word and the Spirit.

What does this look like? Start with a daily reading plan and read until something grabs your attention. Then, ask God to further speak to you. As He does, remember that text, think about that text, consider that text throughout the day.

One simple method that you might find helpful is the SOAP method: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. Another way is to walk through the Scripture, word by word, reading and praying (example: Psalm 23:1). Another way is to consider the nature of God (Exodus 34:6-7).

Illustration: Meditate - ruminate.

Hearing from God is a privilege bestowed upon His people (John 10:16). Meditate on God and His word so that you can become sensitive to His voice and learn to recognize Him.

Prayer

Luke 11:1–4 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

Prayer is about communicating and communing with God. We are speaking with Him. We are having a conversation with Him.

Prayer is possibly the most transformative of all of the patterns we can practice. Because effective prayer is not selfish, but comes from the righteous man or woman, it requires that we be transformed (James 4:3, James 5:16).

One of the important things to know about prayer is that it is something we learn. The disciples as Jesus to teach them, so that they could learn how to be effective in prayer like He was.

“Prayer is to religion what original research is to science.” — P.T. Forsythe

The Model Prayer is the first prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples. By following that pattern of prayer we can address some of the most important aspects and areas of lives:

Our relationship with God - Heavenly Father

Our purpose and calling - God’s will

Provision for life - daily bread

Forgiveness for our sins and grace to forgive others

Direction and protection

Illustration: This weekend is the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, VA. Occasional joggers do not compete in Marathons. Time, growth, training. “Teach me to pray.”

Talking with God in prayer is one of the most life changing practices. Follow this pattern and discover God’s will, receive His grace, and learn to develop a healthy prayer life.

Fasting

Matthew 6:16–18 NKJV

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Notice that Jesus said, “when you fast.” He did not say if you fast. Fasting is about silencing the flesh and removing bonds of wickedness and undoing heavy burdens so that you can walk in more freedom (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Psalm 69:10, Isaiah 58:6).

Strictly speaking, fasting in the Bible is essentially abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Note: the reason for abstaining is spiritual (Zechariah 7:5).

When we fast, we are replacing that food for more time with God. Food is necessary to life. When we choose to put it aside to seek God, we are telling our flesh that God is more important than our appetites.

Most examples of fasting are no food with liquids (Luke 4:2). Others include a restriction of diet (like Daniel and no sweets in Daniel 10:3). The most rare of fasts, often reserved for emergency or desperate times, are the “absolute” fasts where there is no food and water (Esther 4:16, Acts 9:9).

Illustration: Example of time of fasting before major season shift.

Fasting is a spiritual practice that is powerful. Remember, it is not if we fast, but when we do according to Jesus. But how long and what you fast should be asked of the Lord. As with the other patterns, we want to experience God’s grace and draw near to Him in these things.

Study

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

At the heart of study is learning how to think. It is about renewing our mind and orienting it to the truth. The truth that we discover in God’s word becomes the truth that sets us free (cf. John 8:32).

Where meditation is more of a devotional approach, study is more of an analytical approach.

Topical, thematic, word studies, etc.

Illustration: First Wednesday is another example of how to approach the study the Scripture.

As you study the Scriptures the word and Spirit will renew your mind. God’s truth will cleans you and keep you from sin (Psalm 119:9, 11). God’s word will teach you to think God’s thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-11). As you learn to think His thoughts you will live according to His ways.

Conclusion

Following these patterns will result in our experiencing closeness to God, boldness in prayer, freedom from the flesh, and new ways of thinking.

Make time to meditate on God’s word, learning to hear His voice.

Be transformed as you engage God in the practice of prayer.

Discover freedom from the flesh, deliverance from wickedness, and freedom from bondage as you humble your soul and fast.

And then experience the power of the renewed mind and new thinking as you discover truth through the study of God’s word.

Following these patterns that Jesus gave us will bring life inwardly to our souls. We will attain a new measure of Christlikeness and authenticity in our spiritual life. They will bring us into a new freedom and intimacy with God.

What are you waiting for?…choose to begin today.