We all have struggles in our Christian walk. Gross darkness covers the world of men. We know we must overcome, we must live by faith, we die to our flesh and the lusts thereof. In reading today, God pierced my heart with a truth that set me back on my heels. He has been showing me how 'reason' is an enemy of the cross.
There is much in the Word of God about living by faith; taking up our cross and following Christ; that the way to God is through suffering. Right about now reason is getting very uncomfortable. But if one dares to really press in and seek to know the Living God, and be himself conformed to His image, "in living and if need be in dying," that's when reason let's us know this decision to follow Christ is getting more than a little out of hand and we are going overboard with this Christianity thing.
Well, that is exactly what I am seeing is what we must do. The Spirit of God searches all of our heart, mind and thoughts. He knows what is of Him and what must go. He knows how to prepare us that we may come before Him in an acceptable manner. Man can imitate holiness. He can clean up the outside of the cup so to speak. But only the Holy Spirit can bring us into genuine holiness before God. We need to know for a certainty, that if we want the deep things of God we must stop listening to reason, and let him die.
I feel led to share an experience I had a number of years ago. I was going through a time of major upheaval in my life then, with no home, no job and no prospects. Temporarily I was staying with my daughter and her family. One afternoon I was home alone. I had been seeking guidance, asking the Lord what I should do. I was standing in her living room looking out a big picture window. To my amazement, I was suddenly aware of a tiny man within my chest area. At first I was shocked, because I had never had any kind of supernatural type experience before. And I certainly had never conceived of the idea that there was someone within me. The closest way I can think of to explain what happened next is by way of comparison to the time-lapsed pictures we've seen of a flower opening... first the bud then slowly the petals open until there is the full bloom. Well, that is what it was like. No sooner was I aware of his presence, than he quickly expanded from a tiny man to a full-grown one, putting me on like a suit of clothes. I was aware of another's eyes looking out through mine, and the scene outside looked different. I was conscious of a great peace, at the same time a great strength, power and authority. This utterly unexpected sensation only lasted for a few moments, and then it was gone and I felt normal again [small, weak and insignificant]. But for those moments I had felt invincible, like I could do anything with Him in control [not me, but Christ in me]. There was no fear, just awe. I have often wondered about why this experience happened. My only conclusion is that perhaps I was given just a little foretaste, an unexpected sampling of what is possible with God. I am just a physical vessel, as we all are, that he desires to be available for His use when He wants to manifest Himself in the physical world. I believe that when God begins to move by His Spirit in these last days, He desires to use His Body [which is what we are] to set the captives free and defeat the enemy. We must know without any doubt, that it is ALL CHRIST… and not our programs, or what seems ‘good in our eyes.’
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Christ is within each one of us, if we have been born-again. Why is He so tiny that for the most part we are not even aware of His presence? Because He is waiting for us to let Him have control. When Jesus finished His work on the Cross of Calvary He said, "It is finished." He is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heavenly places, having all power and authority. At the same time, He is within each and every believer. His work is finished. We have a part in this, and our part is to believe every word Jesus said… To take up our cross and follow Him. Our flesh [carnal nature; natural reasoning] must be crucified just as He was. He who was sinless, gave the ultimate sacrifice that we might be saved. How can we, who are willing to accept such a great sacrifice on His part, now refuse to follow Him?
Paul spoke much about the need 'to die daily, yet not I live but Christ liveth in me.' We also must be willing to put reason on the chopping block. As we put down our reasoning thoughts and allow the Spirit of the Living God to quicken and renew our minds, the Christ within us will expand and grow. As we give Him control, we will more and more walk in His fullness. It is the "Christ within these mortal vessels, that is the hope for this world and the world to come." We are each one a part of His Body. May we seek to be ready to stand in that place designated for us and us alone. May we learn how to come before Him in an acceptable manner, and be found pleasing in His sight. May we apprehend "the hope of our calling." We already possess far more than we even realize.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Romans 8:7-14 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
This is a great mystery... how we can be dead to the world, yet alive in Christ. Our believing is critical. We must believe all that God says in His Word, and to us personally in our inner man... over all the doubts that reason can throw at us. We are required to believe in the invisible. Everything that the Lord tells us, reason will try to alter. "Oh, God doesn't really mean that," or "God wouldn't do that"... whatever the Lord is dealing with you about, reason will have an argument against in an attempt to alter or annul what the Spirit is saying. As the Spirit quickens our hearts and understanding we must keep our eye on Jesus and follow Him.
We pray to be used, and then when He tries to use us we take our eyes off of God and look at the situation and ourselves... we then see the impossible and refuse Him Who called us. We must realize that Christ is within, and we must allow Him to be Lord of ALL in our heart and mind, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5. We will never come to perfection by means of reason and intellect. We must be willing to be a dead carcass. Only then, will we be a vessel that He can fully use as He desires. Only then will the scripture be fulfilled... "Christ in you." And equally important, you in Christ. No more struggle, no more doubt and fear. To dwell in His presence continually. Why are we fighting it?
My prayer is that God will so draw and quicken each and every believer till we all come to the fullness of the stature of Christ. Who do you want to be led by in what is coming? This is an individual choice each one of us must make. We determine who we are going to believe and follow. Dying is not a hot topic in most Christian circles today, but it should be. We can remain babes in Christ, or we can grow up and become full stature sons and daughters. If we choose to grow up... God will purge out all the mixture we acquired while sitting under the tutelage of men. There can be only one Head, and He is Jesus Christ. The cost is so minimal compared with the Glory of knowing God, of abiding in His presence, of entering into His rest. It is truly a mystery, why we are so slow to believe and act. So willing to accept salvation... and then be complacent about going further in God. Now is the time to wake up. Jesus didn't die for us so that we cold just give Him a tiny portion of our life. He paid the ultimate price so that we could be conformed to His image, and come boldly before His throne. He wants all of us, heart mind and soul. Listen to the Spirit.
Amen
Cathy Morris
6/16/2001
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