The fall of the angels and man created a dilemma for God. God’s intent was that His creation accept His authority, yet both created beings rejected it. God’s response was to withdraw His presence but not His authority. He will establish His Kingdom. The Kingdom is established through obedience. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David all disobeyed. Yet, Jesus never once was disobedient or resisted God’s authority. Just as our Lord has done so must we do. Our biggest problem is not outside of us our biggest problem is within us.
The board member who can never say “I was wrong”; the leader who constantly criticizes others; the sunday school teacher who cannot tolerate a different point of view; the preacher secretly addicted to pornography; the missionary who uses prayers meetings to escape a marital duties; the servant- leader who constantly volunteers but runs down the pastor; they may present themselves as spiritually mature but something is terribly wrong in their walk. Being spiritual can be misleading because a few well quoted scriptures gives the indication that one is also emotionally intact. We all have struggles. I recall carrying a heavy suitcase through the airport, rushing to catch my plane. I got all the way to my destination before I realized – it had wheels. The trip back home was so much better because I could roll what I use to carry. The burden was still heavy but the wheels made it light.
When we are born again the local church becomes the place where we are “re-parented”. Our past is forgiven not erased. God places his authority in a leader who is then empowered to provide the sincere milk of the word and we must then die daily to the parts of us that do not honor God and follow Jesus. I can memorized entire New Testament passages and still be unaware of a deep depression threatening my sanity. Spiritual maturity is about honest reflection of the positive and negative impact of my family origin, my childhood, my socialization and other influences in my life. Once we understand how this has shaped us then we can, through the help of our leaders and the power of the Holy Spirit, go on to break any destructive patterns and pass on constructive legacies to the next generation.
The execution of Osama Bin Laden took place over two years ago but the battle rages on because of insurgents who don’t want to admit defeat. Let there be no doubt about it. The war is over! The devil is defeated, but his insurgents keep playing his tapes in your mind trying to get to your soul and cause you to think like him. This is why we have public success and private failure. We must discipline ourselves, be transformed by the renewing of our minds and receive the engrafted word of God which is able to save our souls. Daniel and his friends refused the kings delicacies, though tempted. After a thorough examination Daniel and his friends were ten times better. How? They learned how to say no to self, love God and love others.
Prayer
Father, may the pain of my past act as labor pains to birth a new mature man in me. Transform me by the power of your Word and Spirit, Amen.
Go Deeper
Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 1; Matthew 10:37-40; Matthew 11:28-30; James 1:19-22
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