The Great Pretence, Pretending That You Are Spiritually Well.

My Utmost For His Highest

 

It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. —Galatians 4:22

 

“God’s perfect will was for the natural to be changed into the spiritual through obedience. Sin is what made it necessary for the natural to be sacrificed. […] If we do not sacrifice the natural to the spiritual, the natural life will resist and defy the life of the Son of God in us and will produce continual turmoil. This is always the result of an undisciplined spiritual nature. We go wrong because we stubbornly refuse to discipline ourselves physically, morally, or mentally. We excuse ourselves by saying, “Well, I wasn’t taught to be disciplined when I was a child.” Then discipline yourself now! If you don’t, you will ruin your entire personal life for God.” CHAMBERS

 

It is one thing to “know” and another to “do”.  We can fill ourselves with knowledge about God and living the Christian life, and yet, if we do not actually apply it to our lives … it has no practical value.  Jesus asked “Why do call me Lord, but don’t obey me?”  (Luke 6:46)  In John 14:15, Jesus said “If you love Me, you will obey my commandments.”  What do you think the problem was?  The disciples liked what He said and did, but were not willing to change what they did.  They apparently were saying the right things .. but they were not doing the right things.  If we really love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength … why would we not obey Him?  Or perhaps it is that we “want” to love Him that way but struggle with giving up certain things in our lives that bring us comfort .. might be habits – what we do – or it might be relationships – who we do those things with, that we don’t want to give up.  Don’t deceive yourself .. if you are living a life like that .. you are not pleasing God by pretending … There is an old song that says "Yes, I'm the great pretender.  Pretending that I'm doing well.  Too real is this feeling of make-believe.  Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal."  Time to stop pretending.  ELGIN

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

 

Charley Elgin