More on Smashing the Strongholds of Sin
Why Rushing Wind matters to this Christian Reformed pastor
In my theologian voice I would say that the opportunity to observe the cross-cultural development of an authentic community of Christ followers has tremendous missiological value. Or I’d just say the welcoming Rushing Wind Biker Church is just good for us. And it’s not just the good promotion of an Anacortes American article or the buzz around town that something’s happening here. It’s just good for us because it reminds us that there is a place for everyone in God’s church. There are, to borrow a phrase from The Bait of Satan, no spiritual vagabonds. Peter says it this way:
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 1:9)
I shared on Oyster Run Sunday three lessons I’ve learned from our Rushing Wind brothers and sisters, but there is more at work here than even being reminded of my need for grace. In the battle against the strongholds of sin, there is no substitute for Word and community. With their background in recovery – and Rushing Wind aims to touch those who have been to life’s toughest places – our Saturday night friends are witness to the power of God’s Word and the importance of strong support. These two weapons, the foundation of God’s Word and a community in which to grow, are essential in our battle against sin’s strongholds. Identifying the strongholds isn’t enough; we want to smash those sacred stones (remember Exodus 23 and Deuteronomy 7!)
The Bible gives us a model for Word and community: exercising spiritual gifts. I’m giving it a simpler name: GROW. It is using the spiritual resources of the entire body to bear on sin. Exercising spiritual gifts means we invited our brothers and sisters to use their gifts to speak God’s word into our lives. It’s difficult and it’s uncomfortable, but there is no other way to grow. Peter describes the process this way:
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. (1 Peter 4)
I look forward to watching the spiritual body building that will take place in our church so that we are even better at smashing the strongholds of sin.
Keep the faith, Pastor Doug Fakkema, Anacortes CRC