Living Above Your Earthly Circumstances - How To Walk In The Mud Without Getting Muddy

My Utmost For His Highest

 

…that I may know Him… —Philippians 3:10

 

“A […] saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, and he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we will have the realization of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives, and He will bring us back to the same point over and over again until we do. [...] Whatever we may be doing— even eating, drinking, or washing disciples’ feet— we have to take the initiative of realizing and recognizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. […] The aim of a spiritually vigorous saint is “that I may know Him…” Do I know Him where I am today? If not, I am failing Him.”  CHAMBERS

 

I was speaking to a friend at work the other day about a particular circumstance in their life.  I was encouraging them to look at that circumstance for a spiritual standpoint.  I explained that, as Christians, there is nothing that happens in our lives, as Christians, that does not have spiritual context.  And so it so often does, I realized that I was speaking to myself more than my friend.  Part and parcel to being a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) being “born again” (John 3:5-7) being the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)  is the fact that you live in a new reality.  To fully understand that new reality you must draw close to Jesus.  If you fail to develop your relationship with Jesus, you will fail spiritually.  Paul said that he prayed that the “eyes of the Saints hearts or understanding would be opened” (Ephesians 1:18).  Why? Because unless you understand your new life and embrace it, you will continue to live your old one.  We must honor God (bring glory to Him) with our lives (1 Corinthians 6:20). Now listen, after reading that, if your spirit does not agree immediately, there is a problem.  Either you don’t have the Spirit or you have quenched the Spirit with sin. Either case is not good.  The first is impossible, the second is ineffectual.  Don’t think that I am judging, no, I am encouraging you to be on your guard and to consider how pervasively your new nature creeps seeps in to  every nook and cranny of your life.  Please don’t miss the blessing of living above your circumstances in this world.  Of living in the context of being in this world but not being of this world.  Of not relying on the wisdom of your flesh but the wisdom of God.  CHARLEY