Sep 9, 2013

Determined Discipline


2 Corinthians 10:5 (Amplified Bible): "We lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ."

Oswald Chambers uses this verse as a talking point directed at working for God for the mere purpose of doing something. He states that more Christian works, or purposes, are performed upon impulse rather than being disciplined and aligned with Christ's will. Though I can understand his view, I cannot think of an example of this.

On the contrary, my own experience has been one of lack of action. Personally, I have the tendency to have an idea or think of a purpose to pursue but allow it to float off without action. I do not follow impulse, I follow fear. I fear failure, ineffectiveness, loneliness, and much other insecurity.

The fears surface as immediately as the original idea and they work vigorously to choke the life from my "impulse." And, instead of taking these impulses captive, evaluating them against Christ's own purpose and strength, I allow them to be driven off before passion can take hold and lead to action.

Both scenarios show a lack of discipline: the first is carelessness, the second is fear--both are self-reliant. The work of Christ does not rely on me but on Christ. Self-reliance is obvious foolishness, whether in action or inaction. Instead, grab hold of those ideas, passions, and impulses and make them obedient to Christ, allowing Him to determine what action, if any, will be taken, regardless of fear or passion. Fully depend on His strength and wisdom.

Chambers summarizes with the following, which is absolutely where this discussion needs to end for me:
We have a tendency to forget that a person is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation, but is also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ’s view of God, the world, and of sin and the devil. This means that each person must recognize the responsibility to “be transformed by the renewing of [his] mind. . . .” (Romans 12:2).

As my mind is renewed, the tendency to rely on myself will diminish as my reliance on Him  amplifies, allowing His purpose to reign in me.

Sep 8, 2013

Determinedly Demolished

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV): "For though we walk in the flesh, we are another waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."

"Deliverance from sin is not deliverance from human nature... Every theory or conception which erects itself as a rampart against the knowledge God is to be determinedly demolished by daring on God's power, not by fleshly endeavor or compromise."


What incorrect conceptions do I have that contradict who God is?  What needs to be "determinedly demolished" so that I may rightly relate to Jesus? So that I can be a spring through which His life flows, showering my family?

Feb 27, 2013

Perhaps...

Perhaps the lost opportunity was needed.
Perhaps this was for Alex's encouragement, not my comfort.
Perhaps God really does have better timing than I.
Perhaps trust does grow with relationship.
Perhaps I have a lot to learn.