…the simplicity that is in
Christ. —2 Corinthians 11:3
{CHAMBERS} “Simplicity is the secret to seeing things clearly. A saint does not think clearly until a long
time passes, but a saint ought to see clearly without any difficulty. You
cannot think through spiritual confusion to make things clear; to make things
clear, you must obey. In intellectual matters you can think things out, but in
spiritual matters you will only think yourself into further wandering thoughts
and more confusion. If there is
something in your life upon which God has put His pressure, then obey Him in
that matter. Bring all your “arguments and…every thought into captivity to
the obedience of Christ” regarding the matter, and everything will become as
clear as daylight to you (2 Corinthians 10:5). Your reasoning capacity will
come later, but reasoning is not how we see. We see like children, and when we
try to be wise we see nothing (see Matthew 11:25). Even the very smallest thing
that we allow in our lives that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit is
completely sufficient to account for spiritual confusion, and spending all of
our time thinking about it will still never make it clear. Spiritual confusion can only be conquered through obedience. As
soon as we obey, we have discernment. […] when our natural power of sight
is devoted and submitted in obedience to the Holy Spirit, it becomes the very
power by which we perceive God’s will, and our entire life is kept in
simplicity.”
{ELGIN} (2 Corinthians 5:7) “We walk by faith and not by sight.” What does that mean? I guess we should look
at the substance of faith to understand … a supernatural trust in things hoped
for … and confidence in things not seen (Hebrews
11:1) You think you are on one
course, you commit to it and then, the Captain of the ship says “full steam
ahead, heading to 270 degrees!” What!
That is not in “my” plan.
Everyone is expecting me to travel on a 090 degree course .. or maybe
sit at anchor for a while. Perhaps confusion
or doubt will overcome you at that point, because we don’t understand or don’t
want to understand is … maybe I misunderstood the order .. or maybe the Captain
wants me to go in that direction next week .. you know, later, when it is more
convenient for everyone. When I can
afford it financially or when it won’t inconvenience anyone. It’s the common temptation to choose what is humanly
reasonable over what is spiritually responsible. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
I am writing about a radical
faith … not a misdirected one. The world
will tell you that you are misdirected if what you do does not make any sense
to them. If they can think of another
way to do something that is less intrusive on others. When God speaks, you must obey . .even in the
face of the opposition of human convention. You might be thinking .. what does
this have to do with me? God has not
asked me to go to Africa, or even Florida to help the people there. Maybe not.
But He has asked you to change the course of your life. To go in a new direction. To obey His commands. And what might those be? To love Him above all, to love others, to
abandon your devotion to the things of this world. (Matthew 22:37-39) To lay your life down. (Romans 12:1-2) Pick up your
cross daily and follow Jesus. (Luke 9:23) So how is that going for
you? My wife and I are living what I
call the “extreme” Christian life. In
the past 15 years we have done things in response to God’s redirection that
frankly make people thankful they are not us.
Few are called to follow the course that He has set for us. I do not say that pridefully. We have said “Aye, aye Sir” and moved out
smartly. He has been the source of our strength
..the provider of what we needed it when we needed it. He is the Captain and we are part of the
crew. He will do the same in your life
but perhaps in a different context.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with your being right where you are so
long as God has put you there and your
are faithful to obeying His orders. Are
you? Then rejoice and praise the Lord! And
if not .. repent!
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