Humility. Not exactly a trait we find truly exalted in the world today. In reality the man who was to walk in humility amongst our world would be considered weak. Growing up as a boy, I was always small and slight for my age and the abuse I received was amazing to me. The arrogance and prideful nature of the other boys made itself known by verbal abuse exhibited by name calling. Attempts to intimidate me all through school and on the playground led me to develop an act of my own. As I grew older I found that by carrying myself as being arrogant and challenging the bullies to fight, I was able to create an atmosphere of arrogance only to be reflected just as the character Fonzie was in the TV show Happy Days. Later on alcohol would enhance my ability to portray myself as unafraid and confident, if not in size and strength, but in pure lunacy. Crazy acts of bravado performed merely to give off the appearance that I was not someone to be messed with. A sad act, one that, even as a Christian, I struggle to let go of even now.
But now I have come to Christ in full acknowledgment that without His gift of mercy and grace, I am in serious distress. I am blessed that my life as a Christian has developed through God’s use of trials and tribulation to bring me to a point of knowing I need Him. Desperately do I need Him. Not only because I desire to spend eternity with Him, but also I cannot make it through the sorrows of this life without his strength. I am a broken man.
The very essence of Christianity lies in just that position. I am speaking of the position of complete submission to Christ. That is what we are called to. Andrew Murray says this in his book, Humility, “The creature has not only to look back to the origin and first beginning of existence, and acknowledge that it there owes everything to God; its chief care, its highest virtue, its only happiness, now and through all eternity, is to present itself an empty vessel, in which God can dwell and manifest His power and goodness.” This is simple Biblical truth.
Friends, I ask you this; Is it not our calling to seek a life that mirrors that of Christ? The process of sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in making changes in us that will lead us down the path of being like Christ. Notice this as told in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NASB) “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are to be preparing for the return of Christ by allowing God to work in us so that at His coming we are to be without blame. But we cannot do this within our own power. 1 John 2:3-6 (NASB) says “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” Read that last line again. “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” The Apostle gives a clear command in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NASB) “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
So what was Jesus like? The Bible teaches us that there is one clear attribute of Jesus that best describes Him and thus becomes our greatest pursuit and that would be humility. Again I quote Murray, “If humility be the first, the all-including grace of the life of Jesus, if humility be the secret of His atonement, then the health and strength of our spiritual life will entirely depend upon our putting this grace first too, and making humility the chief thing we admire in Him, the chief thing we ask of Him, the one thing for which we sacrifice all else… Until a humility which will rest in nothing less than the end and death of self; which gives up all the honor of men as Jesus did, to seek the honor that comes from God alone; which absolutely makes and counts itself nothing, that God may be all, that the Lord alone may be exalted,--until such a humility be what we seek in Christ above our chief joy, and welcome at any price, there is very little hope of a religion that will conquer the world.”
Do we understand what Christ did for us? Philippians 2:8 (NASB) “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” When that verse speaks of Jesus humbling Himself it means that He did not have to leave His position of glory that He held in Heaven with the Father. But he came down as a simple man, a carpenter, and walked this earth in poverty and strife. He allowed others to abuse Him and mock Him. He was sentenced to die without even a real charge against Him that was true. Yet He did not fight back. He could have. In the account of His arrest in Matthew He stated that if He wanted He could summon up more than twelve legions of angels to fight for Him. But He sacrificed His own glory, His reputation, and was “obedient” to the point of death.
The entire life of Christ as He walked this earth was marked by His humility. He came as a servant. By His own words Jesus reveals His humility. Luke 22:27 (NASB) "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” Matthew 11:29 (NASB) "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…” His teachings were clear that it was the one who is last that will be first in His kingdom. Matthew 20:26-29 (NASB)
"It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
The entire life and teachings of Christ spoke of humility. So why is it that we see so little of it, even within the church? Our ministries are full of pride. There is bickering and back-biting within our work. All of us think things must be done our way. Our marriages are full of arguing. Divorce rates run just as high within the believers as within the world. Turn your Bible to the Book of James. James 4:1-6 (NASB) “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
The answer lies in our own desires. Our own lustful and coveting flesh. We must put to death the desires of the flesh. We must humble ourselves before God through prayer and fasting. We must take the world out of our lives, our homes, and yes, even our churches. We must discipline ourselves to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit and to ask Him to fill us and empower us to walk the narrow path Jesus speaks of and to be guided by Him away from the wide road to destruction.
This is not an easy task because our flesh will fight against this. Our friends and co-workers will do everything in their power to draw us away from the Father and closer to the world they choose to reside in. We must stand firm in the “Full Armor of God” as set forth in Ephesians 6 and we must develop close friendships with others who desire intimacy with God and then follow the command of Ephesians 6:18 (NASB) which instructs us that “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” We must walk and pray in the Spirit and give up any hope in ourselves or in others and instead do all things through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We must accept that following Christ has a price. Salvation is a free gift, but it does not come without responsibility. We must follow the call of Jesus as set forth in Matthew 16:24-26 (NASB) "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
When I take a good, hard look at myself I cannot imagine how someone like me could ever be like Christ. Humbleness and humility are like pipedreams when I try and imagine myself in that way. The gift of Salvation comes through with a guarantee, but that does not remove our responsibility to grow and to seek a life as close to Christ as we can. It is humility that must be the attribute we most diligently seek. Of course I will fail in this endeavor, but I can never stop fighting this war. I must also remember that even an outward appearance of humility is of no value, God sees the heart and my humility must run deep within my heart. As always our hope lies in Christ and in the eternity He promises those who give their lives to him. Philippians 1:6 is the hope a poor, wretched sinner like me can take great comfort in, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Praise the most Holy name of Jesus. Our hope and our salvation.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Back to War
I guess it was a year ago that I served as the prayer co-coordinator for the Spring 40 Days For Life Campaign at Granite City. I remember that time so very well. It was probably the closest time I have spent with God in my entire life. I walked and prayed in the Spirit more than I can ever remember and know that my life was forever changed. I believe it was a time that I actually allowed the Holy Spirit to fill me on a regular basis and to essentially take over my body in service to God.
I spent most of the Fall campaign out of the fight. Recovering from my injuries in an accident left me in a different position. However that time was not lost either. Because my body was broken I was pretty much stuck in a recliner in my living room. Yet I remember that because of my situation, I was left in the hands of our Father God, and many sleepless nights found me in prayer and in communion with Him. As a famous author once said, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." My relationship with Jesus became the foundation of my existence.
But praise God, His healing hand brought me out of my pain and took me back into this world. Now we are on the eve of another campaign. I do not hold an official title in this war, yet I have felt the hand of God stirring me to prepare for another battle in this epic war that is not only being fought against abortion, but is a spiritual war for both the lives of those babies in the wombs of God's daughters and for the souls of men and women who are in peril of facing an eternity of separation from our Father in Heaven and instead will find weeping and gnashing of teeth should they not bow their knee to Christ on this side of eternity.
Yes, I am ready for battle. I shall "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
I shall proceed as Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs:
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."
Tonight at midnight myself and my blessed friends and family will go back into the battle. We shall not be defeated for we fight in the Army of the Lord. Jesus has won the victory. He is risen. And the gates of Hell shall not prevail.
I spent most of the Fall campaign out of the fight. Recovering from my injuries in an accident left me in a different position. However that time was not lost either. Because my body was broken I was pretty much stuck in a recliner in my living room. Yet I remember that because of my situation, I was left in the hands of our Father God, and many sleepless nights found me in prayer and in communion with Him. As a famous author once said, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." My relationship with Jesus became the foundation of my existence.
But praise God, His healing hand brought me out of my pain and took me back into this world. Now we are on the eve of another campaign. I do not hold an official title in this war, yet I have felt the hand of God stirring me to prepare for another battle in this epic war that is not only being fought against abortion, but is a spiritual war for both the lives of those babies in the wombs of God's daughters and for the souls of men and women who are in peril of facing an eternity of separation from our Father in Heaven and instead will find weeping and gnashing of teeth should they not bow their knee to Christ on this side of eternity.
Yes, I am ready for battle. I shall "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
I shall proceed as Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs:
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."
Tonight at midnight myself and my blessed friends and family will go back into the battle. We shall not be defeated for we fight in the Army of the Lord. Jesus has won the victory. He is risen. And the gates of Hell shall not prevail.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Unsatsified Christian
The past several years have found me engaged in various conversations with fellow Christian brothers and sisters. During the course of these conversations I have often found myself expressing to others that I have concerns about myself in respect to my salvation and in my progress we Christians call sanctification. There may have been a time when I might have come across as if I was questioning my eternal destination. As a Bible-believing Christian, let me state categorically that I believe in salvation by grace alone. As a potential Calvinist, (I can’t say that I have totally reached a final opinion on the strict five points of Calvinism) I tend to lean more on the work of God in my salvation than in my own participation in that progress. I do not care to debate that topic here, I am just pointing out where I am right now in my personal theology. Recent times have allowed me to believe I am a saved, born again Christian, who is headed to Heaven upon my personal demise.
Yet I continue to find myself trying to explain what I am saying on this topic to other Christians. I have been questioned about this a lot. People are always telling me I am too hard on myself. Some might suggest my view of salvation is skewed. Recently a good friend and brother, one very astute in matters of the faith and also very spiritually minded, has expressed that whenever he hears someone speak as I do, he often finds that it is due to some stronghold of sin still residing within the one speaking. I understand the points these different people make, yet these thoughts do not adequately describe where I am coming from. Yes, there are a multitude of sins I could easily resort back to in my life, I don’t think anyone who came to Christ as a sinner should ever think they are beyond falling back into their old sinful habits. I suppose God has delivered people completely from a particular sin, but most people spend their entire lives in the shadows of their old nature. Matthew 26:41 cautions us to "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." The battle between flesh and Spirit does not end when we become Christians. The war really just begins. But that is not really what it is I speak of.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6 tells us to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?” This is not a suggestion, but a Biblical command. Now I don’t know what that verse says to you, but I have prayed over this verse many times asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the meaning. One person said they felt it means about once a year we should “sort of look at ourselves to make sure we are doing good things.” He suggested that “we were good guys, we give our money and we serve at our church.” Well, that just isn’t enough of a test for me. There is one section of scripture that more than any other concerns me. Matthew 7:21-23, which finds Jesus saying, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
Certainly that verse clearly declares that there are people who are walking this earth feeling completely secure in their salvation, but in the end they have a really bad surprise coming. I do not want to hear those words from Jesus. That literally scares the “hell” out of me. So how can I avoid those words? I believe that I simply must seek to be in obedience to Christ, for He has said this in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
Of course I understand that by nature God is long suffering and full of mercy, grace, and love. He knows I will fail everyday at trying to obey Him, just as we understand our children are not always obedient. But let me offer this; it is different to fall short and not always succeed in perfect obedience as compared to having a lackadaisical attitude towards my failures. The standard is clear. The command right out of the mouth of Jesus, himself, says this, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
Listen to the Word of God in the following scripture readings:
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV)
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Not only are we called to perfection, we are to teach that as well. Colossians 1:28 says that “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”
Yes, my standard is high. Unattainable in this life? Maybe so, but technically we have been given the power to attain this through the Holy Spirit. We just do not ever die completely to the flesh we live in; all of us still fight the battle of flesh versus Spirit. The Apostle Paul refers to this battle in Romans 7:14-20 (NIV) which says “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”
Paul goes on in Romans 7:22-25 (NIV) “For in my inner being I delight in God's law;
but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”
Romans 8 will offer the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Within that chapter we find that we have hope and that hope comes through Jesus Christ. We also find that verse 9 reveals to us that we can have victory through the power of the Spirit of God which lives in us. But notice that in Romans 8:12 (NIV) there is a part here that we have in this process. “Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.” The “it’ here is that we have an obligation to live according to the Spirit. We are commanded to walk in the Spirit, live in the Spirit, and to pray in the Spirit. I believe the Bible is clear; we are justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are saved by grace and grace alone, but our sanctification, our life-long process of becoming like Christ, involves our participation as the Spirit of God leads us.
So for me, I fight the battle every day. Unless I look in the mirror and see the reflection of Christ I cannot be satisfied. For those who play sports or participate in the martial arts, do we not always strive to be the best? Do we sit back and look at what we did yesterday or do we set our trophies up on a shelf and go back to training? Yes, it is good to celebrate the joy of serving the Lord. I enjoy the fruits of my service to God. But I can’t sit back and pat myself on the back, I must continue to strive, I must continue to run the race and run it to win. Paul says in Acts 20:24 (NIV) “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” The finish line for the Christian is Jesus Christ and we simply must strive and fight everyday to complete that race.
Perfection is the goal. Jesus commands us to be perfect. He set the standard and anything short of perfection is not to even be thought of. I don’t beat myself up because I fail in my quest today, that would be exactly what Satan would want me to do. But I must keep driving forward . Satan also is happy when I settle for what I am, instead of what I can be. He longs for me to think I have arrived as a Christian. He wants me to think that I’ve done enough in the quest to spread the Gospel. I have never, nor will I ever buy into the old adage about not taking on too much and wearing myself down, for then I would be useless to God. That is a lie of Satan. The only work I should be doing is the work God has called me to do, and God never gives us a mission without providing the means and the strength to do it. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) says that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Not some things or not things when I am refreshed and well rested, but everything.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Some of my greatest blessings have come when I have been the most rundown, because I gave it all to God and relied on Him not me.
Wow! As I look at this topic I am amazed how scripture lights this up for me. I hope you understand where I come from. I am nothing. Christ is everything. Yes, I know who I am in Christ. I rejoice in that. But personally I have not found myself living 100% in the power and strength of God. Until my flesh is completely crucified and no longer affects my life and my thoughts, I will not be satisfied.
I encourage each of you to encourage each other. Do not be critical but work at building each other up. But please do not compromise the perfection of God as you serve Him. As usual I leave you with scripture.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Yet I continue to find myself trying to explain what I am saying on this topic to other Christians. I have been questioned about this a lot. People are always telling me I am too hard on myself. Some might suggest my view of salvation is skewed. Recently a good friend and brother, one very astute in matters of the faith and also very spiritually minded, has expressed that whenever he hears someone speak as I do, he often finds that it is due to some stronghold of sin still residing within the one speaking. I understand the points these different people make, yet these thoughts do not adequately describe where I am coming from. Yes, there are a multitude of sins I could easily resort back to in my life, I don’t think anyone who came to Christ as a sinner should ever think they are beyond falling back into their old sinful habits. I suppose God has delivered people completely from a particular sin, but most people spend their entire lives in the shadows of their old nature. Matthew 26:41 cautions us to "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." The battle between flesh and Spirit does not end when we become Christians. The war really just begins. But that is not really what it is I speak of.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6 tells us to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?” This is not a suggestion, but a Biblical command. Now I don’t know what that verse says to you, but I have prayed over this verse many times asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the meaning. One person said they felt it means about once a year we should “sort of look at ourselves to make sure we are doing good things.” He suggested that “we were good guys, we give our money and we serve at our church.” Well, that just isn’t enough of a test for me. There is one section of scripture that more than any other concerns me. Matthew 7:21-23, which finds Jesus saying, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
Certainly that verse clearly declares that there are people who are walking this earth feeling completely secure in their salvation, but in the end they have a really bad surprise coming. I do not want to hear those words from Jesus. That literally scares the “hell” out of me. So how can I avoid those words? I believe that I simply must seek to be in obedience to Christ, for He has said this in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
Of course I understand that by nature God is long suffering and full of mercy, grace, and love. He knows I will fail everyday at trying to obey Him, just as we understand our children are not always obedient. But let me offer this; it is different to fall short and not always succeed in perfect obedience as compared to having a lackadaisical attitude towards my failures. The standard is clear. The command right out of the mouth of Jesus, himself, says this, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
Listen to the Word of God in the following scripture readings:
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV)
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Not only are we called to perfection, we are to teach that as well. Colossians 1:28 says that “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”
Yes, my standard is high. Unattainable in this life? Maybe so, but technically we have been given the power to attain this through the Holy Spirit. We just do not ever die completely to the flesh we live in; all of us still fight the battle of flesh versus Spirit. The Apostle Paul refers to this battle in Romans 7:14-20 (NIV) which says “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”
Paul goes on in Romans 7:22-25 (NIV) “For in my inner being I delight in God's law;
but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”
Romans 8 will offer the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Within that chapter we find that we have hope and that hope comes through Jesus Christ. We also find that verse 9 reveals to us that we can have victory through the power of the Spirit of God which lives in us. But notice that in Romans 8:12 (NIV) there is a part here that we have in this process. “Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.” The “it’ here is that we have an obligation to live according to the Spirit. We are commanded to walk in the Spirit, live in the Spirit, and to pray in the Spirit. I believe the Bible is clear; we are justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are saved by grace and grace alone, but our sanctification, our life-long process of becoming like Christ, involves our participation as the Spirit of God leads us.
So for me, I fight the battle every day. Unless I look in the mirror and see the reflection of Christ I cannot be satisfied. For those who play sports or participate in the martial arts, do we not always strive to be the best? Do we sit back and look at what we did yesterday or do we set our trophies up on a shelf and go back to training? Yes, it is good to celebrate the joy of serving the Lord. I enjoy the fruits of my service to God. But I can’t sit back and pat myself on the back, I must continue to strive, I must continue to run the race and run it to win. Paul says in Acts 20:24 (NIV) “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” The finish line for the Christian is Jesus Christ and we simply must strive and fight everyday to complete that race.
Perfection is the goal. Jesus commands us to be perfect. He set the standard and anything short of perfection is not to even be thought of. I don’t beat myself up because I fail in my quest today, that would be exactly what Satan would want me to do. But I must keep driving forward . Satan also is happy when I settle for what I am, instead of what I can be. He longs for me to think I have arrived as a Christian. He wants me to think that I’ve done enough in the quest to spread the Gospel. I have never, nor will I ever buy into the old adage about not taking on too much and wearing myself down, for then I would be useless to God. That is a lie of Satan. The only work I should be doing is the work God has called me to do, and God never gives us a mission without providing the means and the strength to do it. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) says that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Not some things or not things when I am refreshed and well rested, but everything.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Some of my greatest blessings have come when I have been the most rundown, because I gave it all to God and relied on Him not me.
Wow! As I look at this topic I am amazed how scripture lights this up for me. I hope you understand where I come from. I am nothing. Christ is everything. Yes, I know who I am in Christ. I rejoice in that. But personally I have not found myself living 100% in the power and strength of God. Until my flesh is completely crucified and no longer affects my life and my thoughts, I will not be satisfied.
I encourage each of you to encourage each other. Do not be critical but work at building each other up. But please do not compromise the perfection of God as you serve Him. As usual I leave you with scripture.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
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