Herod had no intention of going to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. But, he did have intentions that God later foiled through the Magi. Intentional Christianity is the active working out of what one believes about Christ, as guided by Scripture, and is functional for the devout believer alone or in contact with others. The Christian, in context, is intense about being genuine in coordinating what he or she is and does as related to what Scripture teachers about Christian life and service. The matter is precise, and becomes public when useful in life’s duties and context. The intentional Christian is clear about Christian faith, permitting nothing to interfere with the consistent and devout practice and witness of the Christian message and life. A German gentleman attended a service in which I was the speaker. He approached me promptly after the service. In substance he said: In my community in Germany nearly all of us say we are Christians in common as decent people. It never occurred to me that this is a personal decision to be activated by my own confession. My life is entirely changed by this concept, that I become a Christian because Christ is my Savior, but, in proof of faith, I am now clear about living out my personal Christian life. The man learned personal intentionality.
Intentional Christianity is for the individual, although mortal, to live as fully as possible the character of the immortal life promised as our inheritance. The inheritance of the Father has been guaranteed. One can live some of the quality of that life in advance, with intention toward God. It is God’s intention to give righteous life to his children. By intention one may live it in faith’s embrace. A number of benefits accrue, related to this plugging-in of faith’s intentions. The circuit is made. We follow the thread – Jesus is quoted, in Luke’s Gospel, as saying in a model prayer, either from the Sermon on the Mount, or a slightly edited version on another occasion: Do not bring us to the time of trial. (Luke 11:4 – RSV) Or, Lead us not into temptation. But, we know that God does not lead persons into temptation. To do so would be to play games with human beings that violate his purpose – to assist his children from thinking about and doing acts of sin. The intentional Christian does not like temptation regardless of where the temptation may originate. The Scripture suggests that temptation comes from a satanic source, an attraction of the world, or from within the self (flesh). We are warned that the heart is desperately wicked. It is my opinion that most temptation faced by any individual generates from self. We need no help to pick up temptation. We become responsible for it, but can get help for it. Christians have resources even against that we intentionally determine to do and think. The prayer is a way of saying: Keep me from whatever it is that tempts me to sin. In this we choose to stay away.
It is interesting that, in his Gospel, Luke immediately picks up with Christ teaching the disciples about prayer after making the temptation statement. How does one develop the spiritual life with the assumption of righteousness to immortality? It is done by firm intention on the part of Christians to make right choices toward holiness. Intentions include prayer, pertinent instruction, the Holy Spirit, the evasion of temptation by personal intent, and faith that Christ will see him through life’s snares. The text from Joshua above alerts us to social intent. At first concerned that the eastern tribes were flagging in God’s purpose for Israel there was an imminent civil war in the making with a mobilization of western tribes. The priest was effective in defusing the situation, even to the intent of the army. The intention was changed, and that by the counsel of God’s servant so to avoid schism and bloodshed for Israel. The wise person looks for intent, as God revealed Herod’s evil intent to the Magi. Righteousness is God’s intent. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020