In teaching a church class on Being Transformed into Christlikeness, we established that the two remaining barriers believers need to overcome are . . .
1. Stop believing the lies of temptation that deceive us into trying to fulfill God-given desires in sinful ways. This is overcome by the renewing of our minds regarding our knowledge of good and evil.
2. Stop trying to accomplish righteous living by depending on human resources and trying harder. This is overcome by cooperating with the Holy Spirit as he produces the righteousness of Christ in us.
The following illustration is a cautionary tale about how not to do it. It shows how those barriers will scuttle our hopes.
Once upon a time there was a sailing ship.
The time was the nineteenth century, and the ship was a three-masted frigate. It was an ocean-going craft capable of naval battle and able to carry tons of cargo. Its crew was about 400 sailors.
This ship had been sailing for months and was now heading home. It was totally refitted for the home voyage. The weathered wood had been repainted, and all the sails were new. Its hold was filled with valuable cargo and all the food and water needed for the crew. Everyone was eager to return to their home country and be reunited with their loved ones.
As soon as the ship cleared the harbor, the crew made a brave decision.
Though the wind was good, they chose not to hoist any sail. Their motto was, “We’re the We Can Do It Crew.” They would rely on their own strength. Lowering the dinghy, they attached a nautical rope between it and the ship. The crew members would take turns on the oars and literally tow the ship home. They were strong and a little arrogant.
When the sky was clear they could navigate by the sun or the stars. When it was cloudy, they relied on their compass. But the compass had been magnetically damaged and was wayward. The needle would change without warning. Sometimes it pointed north, but no one could be sure. When in doubt they would take a vote and proceed by majority rule. They would rely on their own knowledge.
The chances of this ship arriving at the right destination were slim. Their chances of survival were not good either.
What every sailor knows.
The ship was designed to be powered by the wind, not by human strength. The rules of navigation depend on knowing true north, not a variable sense of direction or a guess. All good sailors know these things. But this crew had a tendency to trust their own inadequate abilities and their own imperfect consciences.
Even though they were doomed, they sang a catchy sea shanty to celebrate their voyage.
Today’s the day. We’re homeward bound.
The ship’s refitted, tight and sound.
The hold has food and cargoes more.
Our loved ones wait on yonder shore.
We Can Do It. Yo Ho Ho.
We Can Do It. Yo Heave Ho
No need for sails though the wind is true.
Just take your turn on the rowboat crew.
We’ll row and tow and show our stuff,
And all will know that we are tough.
We Can Do It. Yo Ho Ho.
We Can Do It. Yo Heave Ho
When clouds obscure our guiding lights,
Our compass leads us almost right.
The needle swings with every tack.
We’ll zig and zag and double back.
We Can Do It. Yo Ho Ho.
We Can Do It. Yo Heave Ho.
The material from this class is in the process of being published as a book.
It will cover the theological basis for spiritual growth in the context of a community of spiritual friends with a practical strategy of transformation. It also includes creative writing in poetry and story.
Our own reference is surely a poor compass. Great analogy, Jerry.
Been there: We Can Do It. Yo Ho Ho.