Is there any tension in your life? Are you feeling the tension in the “air” with what is going on in the world around us? Is tension in our life a good thing or a bad thing? Has the cross, Jesus dying on the cross, created tension in your life if you have put your trust in Him?
Tension comes from a Latin word meaning “to stretch.” Tension is everywhere. It keeps the roof above our head, holds up the bridge we drive our car over, and even guitars and pianos we play. It keeps the environment around us balanced and our bodies healthy. We literally cannot live without it!
Think about the tendons in our bodies, which stretch between muscles and bones, allowing just enough tension and stretching for movement. As a distance runner, and a coach for distance runners, that stretching can be vital to performing at your best. An appropriate amount of tension is a good thing, and stretching outside of our comfort zone brings much-needed growth.
Jesus himself lived in the tension of this world. Jesus taught the truth of God’s Word, but called out the self-righteous religious leaders who placed a higher value on the Law instead of on people. He is the King of Kings, yet he chose a different way of ruling than his followers had hoped. He ruled by laying down his power, turning the other cheek, loving his enemies, eating with sinners, giving time to those who were considered of little value or worth, and ultimately dying on a cross for our sins.
Living in the tension of the cross can be like working hard at being able to connect “who we have been” (old nature) with “who we have become” (new nature) in Christ. That’s what Christ has called us to. In order to be relevant in our world and yet faithful to our new life in Christ we must recognize that tension. That will most likely be tension each and every day.
I’m not going to necessarily going to speak into that tension, but am going to ask you to pray about it in those areas of tension you are facing in your life right now. Here are just a few possible tension areas that will encourage you to ask God to show you where you can become more like Christ.
The tension between:
Fitting into the world around us vs Faithfulness to who we are in Christ.
This has always been a tension for Christ-followers which is why scriptures teach a lot about it. It truly is a place of tension that we need Godly wisdom and discernment.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16
Compromise vs Conviction
The concept of compromise can be used to create peace or harmony. Often, we need to give a little to make things happen. Yet in many areas, including marriage, spouses are willing to compromise until it gets to a point when they get tired of being the only one compromising. I have seen when that happens and then when the one who compromised chooses to finally stand on their convictions, it becomes very difficult because now neither spouse understands how to relate to each other.
Tension is created in relationship when compromise has become so much a part of our make-up that we don’t even know what is important to us anymore.
Josh McDowell said, “Having convictions can be defined as being so thoroughly convinced that Christ and His Word are both objectively true and relationally meaningful that you act on your beliefs regardless of the consequences.”
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Picking your battles vs Laying down your weapons
Scripture is clear that we are in a spiritual battle. If you are allowing Christ to live in you, then the enemy will do what he can to hinder you. The tension from walking in the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22), and being prepared by putting on the armor of God for spiritual battles (see Ephesians 6:10-20) is a tension we must be aware of.
I recently did a memorial service for a wonderful godly man. His wife said that one of the things he continually reminded her when they had conflict was their battle was not with each other. It was always them together against the “problem” or conflict. That’s the biblical understanding in marriage that the two become one!
Tension in the CROSS is what empowered Paul as he stayed Christ-centered and Gospel-focused.
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
