14 Apr Belief and the Dangers of Autopilot

These days self-driving cars are all the talk, and despite the controversy, I like the idea. Cruising down the highway on autopilot, not having to deal with the hassle of turn signals, tapping brakes, or speeding tickets? Yes please. Checking out and not having to deal with decision after decision sounds appealing to me, in a self-driving car and in real life. How easy it is for me to simply go through the motions, dialing into an automatic system without being invested in what I’m actually doing.

This idea has been convicting me throughout the first three chapters of Ephesians, where Paul has been explaining God’s blueprint, His master plan for all time. At Grace Church we use the phrase “capturing our imagination,” and this is exactly what Paul is doing. He’s creating an incredible visual for us, layer upon layer—the depth of God’s love, His grace for all who come, and a plan for unity among His people.

He completes this exhortation splendidly in Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”

I can’t read the above statement without sentiment, and I hope it rattles something inside you as well. This passage is meant to stir us. It’s that feeling you get after you’ve watched an epic movie or caught the sunset from the top of a mountain or read a book that pulled at your insides. There’s a reason we call these experiences moving. It’s because they demand a response from our souls.

Here’s where my autopilot life comes in. This message is like a compelling signpost; Paul is calling us to stop, pull over, experience, and respond to God’s love. But if I’m stuck on auto-drive—too into what I’m doing to pay attention—then I’m going to speed right past it. My imagination might be captured for a moment, but it’s not going to spur me to action.

But Paul demands action from us in Ephesians 4. He actually begs for it.

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

This is what we are being called to do; this is how we are to respond to the ocean that is God’s love for us. With humble spirits and gentle hands. By being patient and making allowances for each other’s faults. It’s moving towards each other, it’s getting dirty, it’s plunging into the nitty gritty of each other’s lives.

But if you’re anything like me, I don’t want to step into the nitty gritty, particularly when it’s inconvenient. I am not a patient person, especially in traffic. I am quick to point out faults in others, and though not always vocalized, I tuck the comparison away inside so I’ll feel better about myself. So why don’t we respond? I have two thoughts.

One, I think it ties back to unbelief. Do we actually believe God is able to “accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think?” Do we believe in the depth of His love? Because if we do, then it will reflect in our actions. What we do betrays what is in our hearts. We sometimes assume that belief is only a feeling, but I think it can also be a choice. I can choose to believe that God is able, therefore I can move towards others with confidence.

Two, we cannot love and be unified with our brothers and sisters when our hearts are identifying with something other than Christ. We will not love our brother from a different racial background if our identity is tied up in our own heritage. We will not love our sister who supports a different political candidate if our identity is tied up in our own intellectual superiority.

Paul completes these ideas in Ephesians 4:5-6, by reminding us that we are one body. We, as the church, are one giant body teeming with diversity and united by one faith. And there is one Spirit, who has given each one of us different gifts and abilities, and one God who loves each of us and who is over all, in all, and living through all.

-Abby Moore Keith, Downtown Campus