Abba Arsenius: Interior Activity

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

“Strive with all your might to bring your interior activity into accord with God, and you will overcome exterior passions.”

Abba Arsenius (360-449) a desert father in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, translated by Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1975) 10.

There’s a lot in this short sentence. To be generous we have to have margin in our schedule, our finances, and our hearts. Most of our time, resources, and hearts are occupied by our passions.

We tend to desire things, namely, possessions, power, or pleasures of all sorts, because the world says we need them and promises they will bring us happiness. But do they?

To create margin in our calendars, our budgets, and in our hearts, we need insight from a desert father who has stepped out of the busy circles of life to get perspective.

Ward writes, “Arsenius was born in Rome about 360. A well-educated man, of senatorial rank, be was appointed by the Emperor Theodosius I as tutor to the princes Arcadius and Honorius. He left the palace in 394.”

So at 36, he secretly moved to the desert. Some might say to get away from Rome, but he would say to find clarity and focus. Today, we are living in crazy times. Perhaps we too should retreat to get perspective.

Arsenius advises us to bring our interior activity into accord with God. Or as Jesus put it, to seek God first, so that everything else will fall into place.

I am learning that the more margin I create for God in my interior activity, the less my living, giving, serving and loving are overcome by external passions.

God help us leave our worries and cares with you and seek you first in 2021 so that our lives will be filled with peace and so that we serve as conduits of generosity.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 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 9:19-23

It was said of Abba Paphnutius that he did not readily drink wine. One day he found himself on the road facing a band of robbers who were drinking wine. The captain of the band was acquainted with him and knew that he did not drink wine. Seeing how weary he was, he filled him a cup of wine and holding his sword in his hand he said to him, ‘If you do not drink this, I will kill you.’ So the old man, knowing that he was fulfilling the commandment of God and in order to win the confidence of the robber, took the cup and drank it. Then the captain asked his forgiveness, saying, ‘Forgive me, abba, for I have made you unhappy.’ But the old man said, ‘I believe that, thanks to this cup, God will have mercy on you now and in the age to come.’ Then the robber captain said, ‘Have confidence in God that from now on I shall not harm anyone.’ So the old man converted the whole band by giving up his own will for the Lord’s sake.

Abba Paphnutius, 4th century Egyptian Anchorite influenced by Anthony the Great, in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1975) 202.

In the Greek translation of today’s Scripture we find the most common NT word linked to generosity and sharing, koinōnia. Interestingly, the apostle Paul says that the reason he aims to be all things to all people is to be positioned to “share” or literally “enjoy and distribute” its blessings.

We are living in interesting times where everyone wants their way as part of angry mobs, much like the robbers on the road in the 4th century. What Abba Paphnutius does in this moment is the quick witted and brilliant. He gives up his own will for the Lord’s sake. In so doing he saves them all.

What if that was our expression of generosity today? Giving up our own will for the Lord’s sake. The closer I am getting to Jesus, the more I am realizing how deeply broken I am and how my flesh clings to my selfish will. Perhaps the lesson for generosity to day is simply to let it go, our will that is.

God help us all do this with the desert fathers. Thy will be done.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 1 John 2:15

“Always have the fear of God before your eyes. Remember Him who gives death and life. Hate the world and all that is in it. Hate all peace that comes from the flesh. Renounce this life, so that you may be alive to God. Remember what you have promised God, for it will be required of you on the day of judgement. Suffer hunger, thirst, nakedness, be watchful and sorrowful; weep, and groan in your heart; test yourselves, to see if you are worthy of God; despise the flesh, so that you may preserve your souls.”

Anthony the Great (c. 251-356) also known as Abba Anthony, Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, and Anthony the Anchorite, in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1975) 8.

Anthony was a leader among the Desert Fathers, who were Christian monks in the Egyptian desert. Many people give the Desert Fathers a bad rap. What do I mean?

They say toss them out as extremists without examining their lives and the fruits. I am realizing, because of their attentiveness to “remember” (my word for the year) what is important and not be fooled by all things counterfeit (which tends to be what happens with most of us), the Desert Fathers might actually be on target in the middle. I was awakened to this notion in recently re-reading excerpts of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic, Cost of Discipleship (see my post entitled “Higher Life” on 6 January 2021).

Look at what Anthony wants us to remember: “Remember Him who gives death and life” and “remember what you have promised God.”

Regardless of what we say we believe, how we live shows what we actually believe. This brings me to repentance this morning. Following Jesus is about orienting our desires toward Him alone and abandoning all other loves and allegiances. Forgetting this causes us to live in our false self which limits our impact.

When we desire things of the flesh, we become slaves to whatever we desire. The Desert Fathers chose to focus on Christ rather than desires linked to power, pleasures, and possessions not because these things are bad (which is what most people think) but because we are bad. We are broken. We don’t know how to handle them.

Interestingly, Anthony was born to a wealthy family. He distributed his wealth to the poor inspired by Matthew 19:21, and lived a long and largely reclusive life to 105 years old. Read more about him here. Before technology, his renown spread all the way to Emperor Constantine though he spent most of his life in a cave or abandoned Roman fort.

So what’s the lesson for us today? I think Anthony would say this each of us: test yourself.

He would likely remind us that God does not need us to do anything for Him but to live the Christian life that denies self, sells possessions, shares with those in need, and follows Him to show His glory to a watching world. That is the path of greatest impact and generosity. Will you test yourself?

I think Anthony would add, “when you obey, it will cost you everything in the whole world but you will preserve rather than lose your soul.”

Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4

“When we come to God, we should renew our repentance, faith, and purposes of better pleasing Him; then remember the Scripture, and search all the promises as part of our best riches; and humbly challenge God with His own promises. This will make us strong and faithful in prayer, when we know we shall not pray in vain.”

Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) in Divine Meditations and Holy Contemplations, 165 (London: Buckland, 1775) 60.

If generosity flows from the wealth we have, what are our best riches? Though Richard Sibbes words are 400 years old, they are a fresh answer for today.

Our best riches are the great and precious promises of God. How do we get them? We start with repentance, daily acknowledging our dependence on God and focus on His purposes.

Then we search the Scriptures daily. To remember the Scripture is to put it to work. Warning: Don’t take OT promises to Israel out of context or you will end up with prosperity gospel.

For an example of praying God’s promises back to Him with humility, consider Nehemiah (see Nehemiah 1:5-11). Do this to get self out of the way and so your prayers will be effective.

The result will be to gain strength and divine support better than any financial riches can muster for living, giving, loving, and serving generously, especially in hard times.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

“I remember it is reported of the eagle that it is not like other fowls: when other fowls are hungry they make a noise; but the eagle is never heard to make noise though it lacks food. Now it is from the magnitude of its spirit that it will not make such complaints as other fowls do when they lack food, because it is above hunger, and above thirst. Similarly it is an argument of a gracious magnitude of spirit, that whatsoever befalls it, yet it is not always whining and complaining as others do, but it goes on in its way and course, and blesses God, and keeps in a constant tenor whatever befalls it. Such things as cause others to be dejected and fretted and vexed, and take away all the comfort of their lives make no alteration at all in the spirits of these men and women. This, I say, is a sign of a great deal of strength of grace.”

Jeremiah Burroughs in The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, 73.

Jenni and I did a puzzle with eagles in it over Christmas so this seemed fitting. When we live and give according to God’s design, we often sacrifice and find ourselves in need. But how do we navigate such seasons? Do we cry like most fowls? Or do we exhibit a “constant tenor” of contentment.

The idea of having a constant tenor is not insignificant. It’s only possible by grace. God gives us the strength we need to soar, even in hard seasons. Soaring is only possible for those who wait on the Lord. It’s easier said than done. It requires us to wait. When we do, we find new strength.

Only then do we we realize that God is the One who sustains us and fuels our generous living, giving, serving, and loving. Remember the eagle and exhibit a constant tenor of contentment. God give us grace and strength in abundance and help us exhibit a constant tenor before a watching world. Amen.

I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

“The word “remember” is one of the most repeated and significant words in the whole Bible. To remember something is quite different than memorizing something… To remember something is to reattach to it in practical ways. Memorization is a brain activity; remembering requires soul-level engagement…

I like how the English Standard Version translates this text… This “storing up” comes from the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 every day—all the time—when I lay down—when I rise up—when I walk along the road—Word of God way of life…

Note the purpose listed in Psalm 119:11: “that I might not sin against you.” In this instance, the Hebrew word for sin means, “missing the mark.” We tend to read this in a behavioral and moralistic framework (i.e., we hide God’s Word in our hearts to keep us from misbehaving).

There is a better framing.

We hide God’s Word in our hearts so we might hit the bullseye of the target for our lives. We hide God’s Word in our hearts so our lives will be filled with joy and resplendent with the glory of God. We hide God’s Word in our hearts because this is the one in whose image we are created and for whose purposes we are crafted.”

J.D Walt in “Learning to Rememberize the Word of God” The Seedbed Daily Text on 9 January 2020. J.D. Walt is a dear friend. I read this regularly. Click here to subscribe.

Want to hit the bullseye of the target for your life?

Don’t store up treasures on earth, though that is precisely how the world measures success. Store up the Word of God in your heart. As J.D. puts it, this is more than memorizing Scripture, it’s having soul-level engagement with it.

When we store up treasures on earth, our heart always follows them. When we store up the Word in our hearts, it changes how we think and act. One byproduct is that we grow in generosity. We fulfill the purposes for which we were created.

As the year gets going, and as we think about the word ‘remember’ as it relates to our living, giving, serving, and loving, perhaps take a pause as the week begins. Consider what you are doing to store up the Word of God in your heart.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:8-10

“This is, precisely, how we deposit treasures in heaven on a daily, hourly basis. Not only can we have complete protection and security of our treasures in this way, but our life as a whole, our living, also now comes into proper alignment with reality. Our souls are now suited to deal with things because we see clearly. Our treasure focuses our heart. “Your heart will be where what you treasure is,” Jesus tells us (Matthew 6:21). Remember that our heart is our will, or our spirit: the center of our being from which our life flows. It is what gives orientation to everything we do. A heart rightly directed therefore brings health and wholeness to the entire personality.”

Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy: Discovering Our Hidden Life in God (New York: HarperCollins Ebooks) 206.

We had a great Christmas yesterday. We played games, ate food, and spent the day together. We only exchanged a few gifts but the thoughtfulness linked to them showed deep love.

Professor Willard urges us to remember that our heart is our will, it gives orientation to everything we do, and it follows where we put the treasures we possess.

What I appreciated afresh in this reading was the notion that our daily doing good deposits real-time treasures in heaven. This reminder helps our hearts stay focused and brings us good health.

Feeling distracted or discouraged? Storing up treasures in heaven is not so much about making big gifts. It’s about persevering to do small good deeds daily.

This means all of us can do it. Generosity is not the size of our gifts but the posture of our hearts. And its nurtured not by holding on to treasure but by putting it to work.

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:20a

“Why would God tell those whom He calls, that following Him will lead to persecution, trial, and tribulation? What if God knows something about this road of suffering that we don’t? What if it’s actually in the middle of suffering where He is nearest, where we come to know Him most intimately? If persecution, trial, and tribulation lead to those things, aren’t they worth it?

In God’s mysterious providence, I don’t know why it works this way, but I do know we can trust the Lord and experience His tender mercies even amid suffering. Don’t get me wrong, I am seduced by comfort and a quiet life as much as anyone, but I want to desire more of God regardless of what comes with it…

The way of the world looks easier, but it’s a fountain of unquenched desire. The way of Jesus looks harder, but it’s an ocean of joy and peace.”

Michael Blue in Free to Follow: Discover the Riches of a Surrendered Life (Thirsty Land Press: Austin, 2020) 118.

Today is Christmas.

Really, it is for us in two ways. I got this book in the mail that I was privileged to endorse. Opening the package was a celebration. Buy it. Read it. It’s a winner.

And, by God’s grace, our son, Sammy, and his wife, Emily, recovered from COVID. So, Jenni and I will finally get together with them and our daughter, Sophie, and her husband, Peter, today.

The presents have waited patiently under the tree.

What interesting times these are! We are seduced by comfort, as my friend Michael puts it. Yet, everything the world offers will never quench the deepest desires of our hearts.

Jesus invites us to take an alternative path, and calls us to remember the cost. We will likely be persecuted. How’s that for an invitation?

But Michael notices keenly that this path satisfies and leads to peace and joy. Want to discover the riches of a surrendered life?

Desire more of God regardless of what comes with it. Echoing our Lord Jesus, Michael reminds us that it will cost us everything, but the gain will be incalculable.

Generosity is taking this countercultural path and inviting everyone you know to come and die with you.

Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2 Corinthians 8:24

“My spirit longed to be instrumental in strengthening their faith, by giving them not only instances from the word of God, of His willingness and ability to help all those who rely upon Him, but to show them by proofs, that He is the same in our day.

I well knew that the Word of God ought to be enough, and it was, by grace, enough to me ; but still, I considered that I ought to lend a helping hand to my brethren, if by any means, by this visible proof to the unchangeable faithfulness of the Lord, I might strengthen their hands in God; for I remembered what a great blessing my own soul had received through the Lord’s dealings with his servant A. H. Franke, who, in dependance upon the living God alone, established an immense Orphan-House, which I had seen many times with my own eyes.

I, therefore, judged myself bound to be the servant of the Church of Christ, in the particular point on which I had obtained mercy: namely, in being able to take God by His Word and to rely upon it.”

George Müller in A Narrative of Some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller (London: J. Nisbet & Sons, 1860) 145.

Why would the Apostle Paul want the Corinthians to demonstrate proof of their love and trust in God? When we see “visible proof” in others, it inspires us to “take God by His Word and to rely upon it.”

Most people demonstrate by their actions that their trust is in money rather than God.

It’s interesting to learn in church history the names of largely unknown people in inspired famous saints. Now we know why Müller was willing to depend on God; he saw A. H. Franke do it.

Who is watching you? Will your “visible proof” inspire them to depend on God? 

Müller touched over 10,000 orphans in his life. Some would say that’s unfathomable or impossible generosity. He would say it was only possible because he relied on God and served as a conduit of blessing.

Will we?

Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Psalm 25:6

“To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives—the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections—that requires hard spiritual work.

Still, we are only truly grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for.

Let’s not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.”

Henri Nouwen in Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith (New York: HarperCollins, 1997) reading for 12 January entitled, “The Spiritual Work of Gratitude.”

This is an easy post to read and hard one to practice. But I think Nouwen is right. It requires hard spiritual work to remember with gratitude the good and the bad. When we do, we see the mercy and love of God at work through it all.

To remember only the good is denial at best and detrimental at worst. It stunts our growth. I am learning more about myself as I reflect on my failures. There I also discover more about our generous, merciful, and loving God.

To grow in generosity this year, let’s do the hard spiritual work of remembering both the good and the bad in our lives. Pause to do this. You will get out of it what you put into it. See what God may want to teach you to help you grow.