To Dance with Joy

Why am I so reluctant to dance?

For me, I think dance is so closely related to being a true expression of my heart that my deep inhibitions in this area are simply reflective of my unreadiness and lack of synchronization with the hearts of those around me. When people with whom I have unspoken but unresolved tension ask me to dance with them it is like asking my heart to pretend that everything is OK between us when it is not. In a way it is like asking someone to have sex when you are not in a committed marriage relationship with them.

Maybe that is why dancing in general is so much of an issue in religion. Dancing is very much a form of intimacy with others, and in the world it is often the synchronization that is used as a precursor to sex outside of marriage. But that is not the only thing that it can be used for. Dance has received a very bad rap from many Christians because it is only associated in their minds with inducing people into illicit relationships. But that is the counterfeit of something very real, legitimate and powerful that could and should be experienced when living in the reality of God's ways of relating. Just because we spot a counterfeit does not mean that everything that looks anything like it is wrong too. That kind of thinking is fear-based and is Satan's means of keeping us away from the very things that can bring us the most healing.

Of course, there are quite a number of different ways of dancing and different reasons for doing so. And just because we engage in what we consider to be legitimate kinds of dance does not necessarily make them true or healthy for us. It can just as easily become an external, forced symptom that we try to artificially engage in to make us look good just like any other form of “works” righteousness. Even if we think we are completely comfortable with it does not mean that our heart is fully engaged and is free of dissent and friction between us and those we are dancing with.

My heart has been telling me that it wants to dance and has been doing so for many years. When I participated in a worship team for a couple of years I felt the pull of the Spirit to experience dancing with God. I began to realize that there was a very important part of my being that was disengaged and that God was awakening a hunger in me that He had implanted in humanity at creation. But my heart strongly pulls back every time I get close to this powerful form of expression and if I override my reservations with my left brain and join in dancing in a group my heart simply goes into freeze mode and allows the override to do whatever it decides. But while my body may be going through the motions, I am not enjoying the heart to heart synchronization that is supposed to be the basis for dance in the first place. I am only going through the motions to keep peace and satisfy someone else's insistence for me.

As I try to listen to what my heart is telling me about this, I realize that what it really wants is to experience and enjoy the intensity of closeness with a number of other hearts first that would then cause me to spontaneously and freely engage in dancing with them in joy without inhibitions or fears. I do not want just an external exercise no matter how convincing it may appear. Oh, those kinds of dance can certainly make people feel much better and can even lead to more bonding so that they can get closer to the real motives. But my heart keeps insisting that I get the horse in front of the cart and not settle for cheap substitutes.

This is not a head decision, because my head is much more pragmatic about it and simply wants to keep peace between me and others. But inside, my heart says that for dance to be real and to have the powerful and positive effect on me and my relationships with others, that I need to be much closer to being in unity of spirit with those whom I allow myself to synchronize with in this way.

It feels even scary to expose these feelings into writing. Not only am I afraid of censure and condemnation from those who severely disapprove of dancing in general but I am afraid of being misunderstood or pressured in this area. The heart is a very sensitive and vulnerable thing and is often very frightened by disclosure. But at the same time I am getting a better picture of the quandary that God is in trying to prepare us to live in full synchronization with Him for eternity. We have so many stupid and tenacious ideas about religion and God that are false that if He were to try to engage us in the activities and joy of heaven in our present mindset we would simply have a total meltdown in our resistance to Him. In fact, that is exactly what hell will be all about.

So in a way I am already experiencing hell and trying to get free from it now in preparation for being fit for heaven. Heaven is where we live fully and freely from our hearts without resistance and with our spirits fully synchronized with everyone around us. In that state of being we will be able to dance, sing and engage in every way possible with others without any inhibitions, fears or regrets. We will know the full meaning of joy and peace as we live in the intimate presence of the Source of all joy and aliveness.

But to enjoy that for eternity I must begin to experience it here and now. It is part of the healing process involved in the plan of salvation. For salvation is all about the healing of the heart and correcting the lies of the mind. The Spirit of God is working to move my toward a life of total freedom in Christ, a freedom from inhibitions, from fear, from resistance toward the joys that God designed for me. I am often very frustrated at how slow I am to release my resistance and I wonder if this healing will ever take deep root in my life. But I also have to remember that it is God's responsibility to finish the process that He began in my life and I have to trust Him to continue whatever He needs to do to bring me into full harmony with His heart.

Nature's Anticipation

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:20-21 NAS95)

When I read this this morning I drew a complete blank as to what this means or why. It doesn't make sense the way the words are arranged to imply that the bondage of creation to decay is because of God, that it is God's fault that creation is such a mess. I asked God to explain this to me and finally decided to go check out the Greek to see what I might find.

After examining the Greek words in this text carefully (as much as an untrained person can with the tools at hand) I noticed that there doesn't seem to be any original word behind the “Him” in this verse, so it must be an assumption on the part of the translators. That is not to say that it is not correct to assume a “him” in the context of the sentence, but it does mean that there may be a possibility that it does not have to be there. That would certainly create potential to change the flavor of this passage considerably.

The word for futility carries the idea of “transientness” or impermanence. I think most people who believe in Divine creation would agree that nature as we know it today is dramatically altered and different from its original design. There is a great deal of adaptation that has taken place that makes it even very difficult to imagine what the original design looked like in many ways. Even though the cycle of life makes a lot of sense to us in our context, in the original perfect world things had to have functioned much differently. If there was no death or pain then animals would not kill to eat, leaves would not die and decay etc. I am starting to see in this verse a reference to this pervasive “transientness” that we see in nature today. Paul says that it was not voluntary – nature did not choose to come under this terrible bondage to death and evil.

There is some possibility that the (missing) him mentioned in this verse might also refer to Adam, the one who's sin triggered all of creation to come under this bondage to decay and death. It was Adam's choice, not nature's choice, to indulge in sin and by which all the terrible consequences were unleashed on everything on this planet. But God was also very actively at work in this situation providing the element of hope, not only for man's salvation but for restoration of the whole planet back to its original pristine condition.

Embedded within the very modification of how creation functions after sin entered the world, God formed lessons and examples pointing us to His plan to restore us to the perfect condition from which we have fallen. The hope that can be discovered in the study of creation and nature is a reminder of the hope that we find in the true understanding of the plan of salvation.

What Paul may be emphasizing here is the fact that God does not intend to leave nature on this planet in disarray for all of eternity while only restoring humans to their original design. Nature was created as a perfect environment for humans to thrive within and to provide for all of their needs. Nature was one of the main channels through which God provided His power and life to energize and satisfy the desires and needs of His children on earth. With the choice of humans to sin, nature – the environment containing those humans – also fell into a state of being very temporary and suffering from the many effects of death, which is the result of separation from the only Source of life.

I looked through a number of other translations of this text and found one that seemed to explain it maybe a little better.

For Nature was made subject to imperfection – not by its own choice, but owing to him who made it so – yet not without the hope that some day Nature, also, will be set free from enslavement to decay, and will attain to the freedom which will mark the Glory of the Children of God. (Romans 8:20-21 TCNT)

Another thing I noticed when looking through the original Greek words behind some of these verses was something interesting in the previous verse. Verse 19 says, “For the anxious longing (intense anticipation) of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19) The words that were translated into “revealing of the sons of God” do not seem to imply a plural for the word “sons”. In fact, what it seems to be talking about is very possibly a reference to the Son of God and pointing to His return to this earth. Given the surrounding ideas of the restoration of creation to its original design, it would make much more sense to view it in this manner.

It seems to me that these verses would be talking about a time on this earth when God's redeemed children will be fully healed from all the wounds and damage of sin and will reveal the glory of their Creator. Then God will want to restore, to re-create the perfect environment of nature that He had originally designed for them to thrive in with the addition of His own presence in the form of the capital city of the universe being located here. Paul is saying that not only will the effects of sin be overcome with the glory of God revealed in the lives of the Redeemed but that God will restore nature as well so that sin and its affects will be eliminated from the universe forever.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-23)

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words... (Romans 8:26)

I find it very interesting that the idea contained in “groaning” is in reference to three different entities here. I have not yet unpacked it very much but thought I would mention it. If you have any thoughts on this feel free to share them with me.

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Fearful Slave or Joyful Child?

I am looking at Romans 8:12-17 and observing the counterfeit and the true mentioned or eluded to here. The word obligation is brought up (debt in KJV) and suddenly the sentence seems to be aborted. The strong implication that I see is a reference to the very strong motive underlying all of man-made efforts to get right with God. These are always mixed with varying amounts of fear, for fear is one of the basic ingredients and symptoms of sin.

Paul is not saying here that the opposite of being controlled by a sense of fear-filled obligation is to feel no obligation at all. But what he is trying to say is that a true motive for serving God will never be found to have fear as its fuel. Verses 14 and 15 make this very clear. When we are led by the Spirit of God we will not receive from that Source an attitude of slavery which leads to fear. The opposite, or counterpart of the counterfeit, is a spirit of joyful abandon as children – even better, adopted children. For to be adopted as a child is to be specifically chosen, not just born. There is usually a great deal more intentionality in the planning of an adoption than there is in a natural birth. And just in case we still have to deal with our ingrained fears about this attitude of God toward us, the Spirit of God is ready and eager to testify with our spirit that we really are children of God.

Of course, this means that our spirit needs to testify to this fact so that the Spirit of God has opportunity to testify alongside, reinforce and embellish our testimony. I see the need for me to encourage and give in to every opportunity to indulge in confessing the truth about this relationship with God. It does not often feel safe or even reasonable to do so, but if I choose to do so the Spirit is waiting to reinforce my testimony and deepen my awareness of this reality.

I notice a number of uses of the word “with” throughout these verses. I have come to realize from the insights from Jim Wilder about how our mind works, that this is very often a clue that there is joy involved. The neurological definition for joy is when someone is glad to be with us, when we sense that we are special to them and they want to share our presence. This is particularly true in this case. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit...” – joy. “Fellow heirs with Christ” – joy. “We suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” – joy. The following verses even seem to imply that all of nature and creation is eager to share in our joy when it becomes more fully revealed.

God, make me more willing to enjoy Your presence today. Remind me to testify with my spirit and remember with my mind that I really am an adopted son of the awesome originator of the whole universe and have a very special connection to Your heart. Remind me of who I really am and what it looks like to live as a son instead of as a slave. Teach me what it means in this context to act like myself under any circumstances. I invite Your Son to take up residence inside of me and demonstrate what it looks like to be a son through Your transformation of my spirit.

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What Must I Do?

Each morning I open the passage I am studying and ask God to highlight something I haven't seen before. He is very faithful and gracious and I have been enjoying the Word like never before in my life as well as being instructed in both mind and heart. It is helping me to grow in maturity, knowledge and wisdom that comes back during the day to be applied to real-life situations.

Today the focus that comes to me is the action words that I find in this part of Romans 8. There is always a lot of question about what is God's part and what is my part and the two usually become confused with me trying to do all sorts of things that are only possible by God. But I can also fall into the problem of waiting for God to do things that He is waiting for me to do. So it is good to see from the Word how I can cooperate with Him in becoming a Spirit-led witness for His name and reputation.

Here are some of the action words that I see as I look at this passage:

• walk according to the spirit (4)

• set my mind on things of the spirit (5, 6)

• have the Spirit of Christ (9) this is not completely a direct action but is a focus

• put to death the deeds of the body (13)

• receive the spirit of adoption (15)

• cry out in that spirit, “Daddy, Father” (15)

• testify with my spirit that I am a child of God (16)

• suffer with Him (17)

• experience the groans within myself as I wait eagerly for the complete fulfillment of adoption (23)

• hope for what I do not see, wait eagerly for it (25)

As I read through the chapter to ferret out these verses I notice how many things God is doing on His part as I choose to respond on my part. What is described here is a relationship of trust between two minds and hearts that grows and strengthens and deepens as each responds to the choices of the other. I believe that this chapter really is a parallel, a practical description of what it means to abide in Christ as talked about in John 14 and 15.

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Cross-linked Dwelling

I am looking again at what I find in Romans 8 and connections with other passages keep popping into my mind. I keep adding them to the margin in my Bible which is becoming very crowed on this page. I will share some of what I have found today.

Romans 8

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. (John 15:6)

10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.... Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:6-11)

10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

The word translated “righteousness” here is a word that means justified. That reminded me of the verse in chapter 5.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. (Romans 5:18)

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Notice the many times of emphasis on “dwelling”. This passage seems very closely linked to John 15 where Jesus talked a lot about dwelling and abiding.

Be in me at all times as I am in you. As the branch is not able to give fruit of itself, if it is not still on the vine, so you are not able to do so if you are not in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: he who is in me at all times as I am in him, gives much fruit, because without me you are able to do nothing. If a man does not keep himself in me, he becomes dead and is cut off like a dry branch; such branches are taken up and put in the fire and burned. (John 15:4-6 BBE)

I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Revelation 21:3 WEB)

12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--

This word “obligation” carries the meaning of a delinquent debtor, someone who feels a strong sense of obligation to do something about repaying a debt. That is closely linked to the condemnation mentioned in verse 1 of this chapter and is the main driving motive for all the efforts to please God by keeping the Law in the flesh. In this verse Paul is making clear that feeling under obligation is not the part of our experience to ignore. The problem comes in when we try to repay the debt in a way that will only lead to frustration and ultimately death.

Many people think that the way to deal with our problem before God is to believe that He no longer enforces the requirements of the Law, no longer expects us to meet its standards. However, if that were true it would have been completely unnecessary for Jesus to have died. If that were true then God could have done the “Law relaxation” before it caused so much pain and anguish for His only Son. No, the Law and its requirements cannot change any more than God can change, and He has stated very clearly, “For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Malachi 3:6 NKJV)

The centerpiece of the plan of salvation – restoring humans back to their original design and function – is found in the “dwelling” part of this passage. If we accept the invitation of Jesus to dwell, abide in Him and allow Him to dwell in us, then in Him we are crucified and suffer the death that is the unavoidable consequences of our sin. This is the experience described throughout this whole section of this passage in the words “according to the spirit” or setting our mind on the spirit.

Anything outside of this living according to the spirit is living according to the flesh, no matter how religiously correct it may sound or appear.

13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin....For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. (Romans 3:20, 28 NRSV)

When I looked up the original word translated “body” in verse 13, I found that it has implications of a slave mentality. That would link it directly with what Paul goes on to say in the next few verses.

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. (Romans 6:6)

You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:14-16)

A slave can never become a son, included in the family and embraced by the family as one of their own, by working very hard and carefully to be perfectly obedient and perform everything that a son would be expected to do. In fact, in the eyes of a family I think they would find it strange and maybe even ludicrous to watch a slave attempt to act and dress and present himself as a son when everyone who really knows him knows full well that he is really just a slave. In the end, in the time of revealing called the judgment, this behavior by the slave will be shown to be nothing more than attempted impersonation of someone which has far more rights than a slave is ever allowed to exercise.

We consider it a high crime for someone to impersonate, say, a general in the armed forces and try to carry out the responsibilities and enjoy the privileges of such a position if they are not properly authorized to have that position. No matter how perfectly they may be able to carry off the impersonation, the real problem is not their performance but the reality of their authority.

Just the same, if anyone tries to be a Christian, which means “a little Christ”, without having the real sovereign Christ actually dwelling inside of them, it really does not matter in the slightest how well they may perform or how perfectly they may be able to imitate righteous living, they are bogus and a fake. Without a crucified Savior living inside of them the enormous debt created by their sins has not been satisfied. And without the real sovereign Lord of the universe living inside of them Who was resurrected after suffering death on behalf of all sinners and Who received all authority in heaven and on earth, a person is simply committing the high crime of impersonating a sovereign if they try to live as a Christian without setting their minds on the things of the Spirit of Jesus who is God, the only real sovereign.

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:15)

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)

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