It is human nature to try and do it ourselves. This human nature is the flesh. It prevents us from entering into Grace. God cannot save someone who is still trying to save themselves. Similarly, God cannot do what we are still trying to do.
The Cross is seldom presented as anything other than the means of atonement and forgiveness of sins. Few realize it is the means by which we enter, as well as live, the Christian life.
His Will and His Kingdom are not optional. His Will is not a mere wish or a hope. His Word is a statement of purpose, a foregone conclusion. Since God created time, He is above, beyond, and outside of time; therefore, the passage of time does not diminish His Will one iota.
We are more familiar with and have more confidence in the old man than we do in the New Man. By the grace of God, this has to change. When we truly see the New Man we transcend the old man.
This, in a nutshell, is what it is to find ourselves lost in the depths of Christ. The more we know of Him, the less we realize we know.
Like Martha, we have become troubled over “many things” (Luke 10:40-42). When those many things are discarded, and we are decreased, then we are free to focus our attention on the One Thing that really matters, and Christ is increased in us.
Jesus understood how easily people, even with the best of intentions, make value judgments of others based on material possessions. He obviously didn’t want that to be the case among His people.
If we must take up the Cross and be crucified, it is better to submit ourselves to it as Christ did, giving up our spirit into the Father’s hands, and bowing our head in peace. So let us drink the Cup that the Father gives us.
Peacemakers are ambassadors sent to represent the King and His Kingdom. What is the message? It is the message of reconciliation, the message that all is forgiven, the message of hope, and love, and grace, and a thousand other good things.
It should be obvious to you who is, and who is not, your elder in the Lord. And, it should be plain to see that not everyone who is older is necessarily elder.
It is not a changed life that God seeks from you, but an exchanged life – that is, your life is to be given up in exchange for His Life.
I went to a pottery once and watched the potter form a lump of clay into a jar. He demonstrated the technique and in his skilled hands the jar began to take shape. But there was something about it that was not quite right…