There's a paradoxical duality to our nature, especially of those who know and long after Christ--those who have received salvation through Him, becoming sanctified, having been regenerate of Spirit. We are to walk by faith, not by sight. We are to be led of the Holy Spirit, indwelling, knowing all our steps are ordered of God, Himself--aware that every good work we do has been prepared beforehand, by Him, for us to walk in.
So, nothing of ourselves is exalted as sufficient--every good work is ordained and manifest of God's will: Even as through us, then we are led into these things. Regardless our intents, regardless our uncertainties, regardless our expectations or plans. And often quite despite all these things, moreover...mercifully.
Because the plans of man are many, but it's the will of God which prevails (Prov. 19:21).
And the carnal mind is enmity against Him (Romans 8:7), wherever it's set on ways and understanding which profits according to the flesh.
There's a problem there, though, for a creature which walks on this earth:
How can we do and delight in the will of God, when our very minds are inclined to be set against Him? And when our hearts are unknowable to us, except that He reveal them to us (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 13:15)?--furthermore, knowing that even recognizing truths concealed in Scripture requires divine intervention, and increasingly so even to begin to understand (2 Peter 1:20-21; John 14:17; John 16:13)?
The only way is through and in Christ Jesus. He didn't intend for us to come to Him nor to pursue godliness (living/walking/being as He did and is) in our own strength, but by His Spirit, by abiding in Him (even as He did always abide in the Father). Even abiding in His Word requires His abiding Spirit--as the very presence of Christ constantly manifest in and through us. Otherwise, we're empty of all but self.
These concepts, in practice, go against everything we know--everything we attempt, everything all the world presses upon us--and even against certain means of interpreting what Scripture seems to say. Because there's very much about doing recorded even in the New Testament. Very much. Yet, taken in context of all that Christ has said--doing is only properly done when it's done in Him and through Him and by His Spirit. Not of ourselves: Not of our own inclinations, tendencies, or designs, but according to His manifest will.
Which is where another problem seemingly presents itself: How are we to discern what is His will, for each of us?
Because it's obviously not to just sit and twiddle our thumbs--doing nothing except passing time, mindlessly: Not at all.
Everything about His call is to serve, actively. To serve Him, to serve others, forsaking self.
But not in our own strength, nor by our own will, nor according to our own understanding of what is His will.
Rather, His will has to be sought out, desired above all else, to be known--otherwise, cares of the world overshadow and drown out His voice, His leading, and even the joy of His presence. Perhaps difficulty on this point partially arises because serving Him diligently often seems to manifest without overt showing, at the outset--there are necessary times of study, ardent application to prayer and fasting, concerted private seeking of Him, out of sight of others. But even these, always, are actually an active pursuit of service. How can we serve One whose will we don't know?
Prayer always remains the foremost call of service. Without prayer, we have nothing and are nothing in service to God--we're only striving in our own strength, apart from prayer. Yet in order to pray sincerely, we need increasingly to know Him whom we beseech for assistance, know Him whom we praise and rejoice in through prayer. Even as the very act of praying draws us nearer to Him, in essence, then still we must approach Him via any means He directs, especially as Scripture is given specifically that we might know Him on His terms, even relayed in ours.
And the very act of studying Scripture with a heart desiring Him--desiring to know Him and to love Him, to receive wisdom and knowledge of Him--draws us nearer to Him, according to His will.
Just so, with whatever good deeds He ordains--even if utterly and completely debilitating, in terms of requiring every ounce of strength (and more--given by God, in the process), then the sustenance of His presence and keeping power, throughout--giving direction and prompting continuation in the midst of efforts--still, is wholly a boon to the spirit which loves God and longs to know Him better. Experientially, being preserved and strengthened by Him in a moment of service fosters a deeper trust through the experience of His keeping power. Such works are not toil, despite being incapacitating to a point of requiring divine assistance. Nor are they laborious, despite requiring divine strength as to finish. Nor are they devastating in the midst of requiring His love manifest, so to continue. But experiential dependence upon His manifest presence so to endure and accomplish and work...is up-lifting. Even being completely--physically, emotionally, or mentally--draining, then the spiritual result of being wholly thrown upon Christ's strength edifies, all the more. Still, prospering spiritually in and unto Christ, by forcing complete dependence upon Him, even as to be capable to undertake or complete a work.
Efforts in the flesh are only or primarily draining, though. They distract from Christ, not forcing reliance upon Him from the outset, thus not prompting gratitude throughout the course. Efforts in the flesh edify self, at varying stages--tending toward self-justification rather than deeper realms of humility, latter being wrought per furthered, experiential realization of the depths of Christ's love and grace.
It's a very slight difference, in instance--one which is only discernible per the Spirit, as He is sought for examination and revelation of one's own heart and intents. He, alone, can reveal the truth of these matters, moment by moment.
Rationalization or attempted analysis only confounds us--we explicitly cannot tally our own doings, being limited in our perception of the sum total state of our being, also being inherently limited against sum total understanding, or full revelation, of God's ways. And anyone who would otherwise claim, then claims to know God, in sum as unto entirety...then, that one is serving a different god than the One eternal, infinite, who came as Christ: The One who shut down Moses' questioning by saying He would have mercy on whom He would have mercy, who revealed to Isaiah that His ways are so far beyond our own that we cannot even conceive the expanse of difference.
Point of this being, we're not capable of knowing what is good, of both intent and practice, unless the Lord, Himself, direct us and guide us into it...moment by moment. We don't know how all things are being ordered, in sum total from the beginning of creation unto it's final subjection to Christ. As like the "butterfly effect" theory proposes, there very much is an effect to each and every thought and action--whether initially visible or not, consequences are still wrought. Initially within, then as out-workings. Just as from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. And actions proceed. Then, on and on. Forsake self, deny self--that which was plagued by sin is delivered wholly unto Christ, at regeneration--become dead with Him, then risen to new life in Him, only: No life for self, any longer. But only life in Christ.
According to which, we have no choice except to trust that He will order our steps in righteousness--we don't know enough about our own hearts or the actual needs of others as to otherwise proceed in righteousness. Even as there are things He's explicitly revealed to us, in finite terms--practices which are very much against His will...these require His deliverance and keeping (grace)...and also, there are matters of necessary practice...which likewise still require His turning of the heart, unto right intent and practice (grace, as well).
Because we're evil (God alone is good; actively opposed to God = actively opposed to good = evil), apart from His intervention: Apart from His preservation and deliverance. Apart from Christ's Spirit coming to dwell in us, regenerating our own spirit unto a desire for good. And, even then...the flesh must be brought into subjection to the Spirit or otherwise would continue to work evil---but the Spirit of Lord keeps and directs, as our minds are set on Him, becoming increasingly transformed, even unto having the mind of Jesus Christ.
He actively empowers us to overcome wicked desires of the flesh, actively bringing all thoughts into subjection to Christ. As we lead a life which is given to the Spirit. Not living according to understanding, but according to faith. A knowing of God, ever increasingly trusting in Him to guide and direct and preserve, ever having come to know Him.
The whole process is faith-based, though. Knowing and trusting. Pursuing unto knowledge, trusting more. Experientially, as per all means by which to learn of Him.
Again and again, I'm reminded that a Shepherd protects and gathers and directs those which are His charge. We stray, we are distracted, we are distractible, but He mercifully delivers us even from the snares of our own making. We entangle ourselves in brambles, but He mercifully and meticulously unbinds. And draws us near.
If we are His sheep, then what wool we produce is per our very nature, but given wholly unto the Shepherd who both protects the growth and shears when time is ripe.
Foremost, we are to abide in Him, in His Word, to be led of Him, by His Spirit...even to hear and obey His Word.
It's not tangible, although the out-workings are. But in a society focused on doing--being told to wait, to seek first the kingdom by longing after God, desiring Him and seeking Him with one's whole heart...is almost an offense to the senses.
But we are to wait, to seek with all our heart, to pursue with all our mind, crying out for God, in humility and brokenness, contrite--rather than necessarily being embroiled in constant action, as attempt to please Him per efforts. Even as all our strength is to be given in love, to Him. Then by what means, except first to seek to know Him and love Him as our Heavenly Father?
Patient waiting goes against everything the world calls good, though: A call to wait upon God wrests the power to "do well" and to "please Him" entirely out of our hands, in terms of visible, manifest, tangible, measurable means of gauging ourselves in well-doing. The whole deal is grace, though--it's only in and through our abiding in Christ that we do please God.
Not that He doesn't mercifully allow us to approach Him, still, even through such strange means as "works" contrived to be according to His will: He does draw many nearer Himself, despite that approach--an out-growth of self focus, an exaltation of human understanding. He does mercifully still work through those such means, though. Otherwise, we'd all be lost. Because none of us does perfectly well, none does perfectly right, by Him. Christ, alone, did so. His worthiness is our salvation. And our righteousness (good works).
So, He saves us, despite ourselves. And works through us, despite our inclinations to rest upon our own understanding and act in our own strength.
Yet, coming into a position of such mercy, becoming aware of such grace, should we continue to strive through blind efforts which do such disservice to Him? Should we not instead ask Him to direct us only in obedience which is according to His will? And largely wait, then, trusting He'll direct.
He has to direct. He does direct. Even when we fail to acknowledge it's the case, for those who are His, through Christ. He does order our steps, regardless whether we acknowledge it's the case.
So why not be all the more diligent in pursuing constant conscious surrender to Him, rather than continuing to strive for a means, through the flesh, to please Him? We didn't deliver ourselves, so how can we please Him, of ourselves? We can pray for these things, knowing He's faithful.
And He will and does direct into good works, even if not ones necessarily given to recognition. Maybe entirely ones given to obscurity, even. Or, perhaps only until a time as temptation to pride isn't a particular snare.
Turning to Him involves turning from self, is all. So, why, after initially turning from self, unto salvation, would we then revert to striving for obedience according to our own understanding? We prayed, seeking salvation. Why, afterward, would we cease to pray and ask Him for direction and strength in all else we are to do...waiting for His response and direction?
Paul wrote about it, briefly considering the absurdity of beginning in the spirit only to revert to dependence upon the flesh. And He counted the entirety of his service to God as being wholly directed and empowered by Christ--not of his own strength, not of his own will, but only manifestation of grace through him. In weakness, Christ was evident strength.
In constant toiling, suffering, death, and uncertainty...the power of God, through Christ, was manifest. Paul counted himself dead, that Christ was all life.
So, as much as he may have written about doing many things, it was yet in context of recognizing that all manifest deeds were either of Spirit or of flesh, and that those manifest of flesh were fundamentally in defiance of God. It's not a "fake it till you make it" ideology that we pursue, through Christ. If we lack something, we are to pray.
We're not to pretend, which only adds to any faltering. He knows the heart, after all. He didn't delight in Israel's empty sacrifices and offerings, when their hearts were far from Him--He won't delight in ours, either. Because He is the strength of the weak, He is our deliverer. He's not pretended capability given an identity. Rather, surrender and direction are even given by Him--as is every means to continuation which exceeds comprehension or defies ability.
He does the impossible. In us and through us. And He gets glory for Himself by doing so.
Along such lines...and whether the following story is true or not, the idea is valid:
A Chinese Christian came to visit America; at the end of his visit, he was asked what most impacted him about the American church. He responded with (paraphrase), "That you accomplish so much without God."(1)
We are busy, so busy...attempting pursuits we believe conform to expectations laid out in Scripture. But without prayerfully waiting upon God, prior to embarking, we're neglecting direction. Without constant prayer, awaiting certainty of His guidance, we're acting according to a belief that we're capable of discerning what's right and wrong.
Over and over again, going and doing, because it's considered better to err in doing than to err in waiting, in this world. We consider sins of omission far more grievous than sins of commission. The "better to ask forgiveness than permission"-ideology, in effect.
But even this requires balance. It's still another line to walk. Because neither immobility nor action without diligent, prayerful seeking are correct--His is a fine line we walk, not given to extremes.
And He gives the discernment, or otherwise there is none.
So, if love entails obedience, which oft manifests as action, then what is there except to persistently discern His will? Or otherwise, be more concerned with obedience to the dictates of one's own mind rather than obedience to the Spirit of God.
He alone can direct us--make possible that we would have His mind, as He gives discernment of His will. But He gives as we ask and continue asking. So, do we continue to ask? Do we persistently seek His will? Do we strive to know His will on His terms, moment to moment, situation to situation?
Or do we revert to blanket-statements, continually? Are we proceeding, prayerfully, or have we mapped out a methodology by which to proceed, as means of developing "security in our understandings," rather than trust in God, Himself?
It's a fine line.
But how can we know His will, unless He reveals it to us? Otherwise, we're continually attributing meaning which we've established per momentary understanding, unto conclusions regarding whatever seems right. That's madness--it was the central point of original sin. And of the failing of God's people, time and again, from ages past. To know and do what's right in our own eyes, considering it our prerogative to ever do so, we equate ourselves with God. And doing so is an act of defiance.
So, with that being the case, throughout history...why would we think continuing to perpetrate that same ideology should have any different outcome, now, than it ever has? Always unto judgment.
And if the Law only ever revealed sin, without ability to do away with it, then why would we expect ourselves to have developed the strength, now, to overcome sin and do what's right in the eyes of God by further attempting to adapt methodology, and obey strictures, by rote?
Isn't it rather by Christ's own Spirit that we're saved? And, that, not according to our own works, our own understanding--but, by His Spirit, by grace, alone?
It's all impossible in our strength--from salvation, to obedience, to sanctification.
He didn't come to restore us to our own strength, but to a right relationship with Him, whereby and through which we would be empowered by His indwelling Spirit. Not by might/intention, not by power/strength.
He didn't deliver us from the machinations of our own understanding, which wrought sin after sin, so as to allow us to continue to flounder along that same course. No, but He delivered us to seek after Him in truth, as led by His Spirit.
To be led by Him, into all righteousness. Not of our own strength or will.
But by His Spirit.
We often keep trying to do things in our own strength because we don't like waiting for directions, is all. It's difficult--seeing pain, seeing suffering, seeing insufficiency, and feeling as though you possess all that need be brought to the table, as a resource, in order to address what seems at odds. But it's also the height of arrogance for us to take on that stance--we're superseding God's own will, without having sought His will. Assuming it's His will, always, to alleviate.
That stance is compounded by the frustration of exercise of patience in the face of torment. Having nothing in your hands to bring, at a particular moment, except to say...I am praying...is simultaneously both humiliating and a point of despondency, outside of a complete faith and absolute reliance upon the knowledge of God's faithfulness in response. And especially as many others, suffering, are wont to fail to trust in God in favor of what they see in front of them.
We can't make ourselves God to others, though, without suffering in turn for it, judged for stepping in, in His stead. It's not enough to consider our intentions good. We don't know our own hearts, as to know. And if we don't know His heart, in the matter, then we may be apt to countermand or interpose our own will, when He has other intentions. If even only to test us.
But how often do we mock, deride, and despise the idea of primarily relying upon prayer, to the exclusion of unprompted interventions?
There's a dual problem on that front, is the thing. On the one hand, if we act, intervene, without regard for God's will...we are apt to even unconsciously exalt ourselves in the stead of God in the minds and lives of those whom we seek to assist. And that is far more detrimental to their well-being than is physical or mental anguish, or incapacitation.
Secondarily, that such stance devastates or expresses a sincere fault in our relationship with God, Himself. If we act in His stead, without regard for His will...we have even if unconsciously exalted ourselves above Him, in practice. I'm not sure that requires any further elaboration, as far as the depth of horror which that constitutes, in terms of One who is perfectly good and loving and just. Even as mocking prayer is in effect mocking the One to whom prayer is directed...if we question the efficacy of prayer, considering it ineffective or insufficient without accompanying manifest action...we're toeing a very dangerous line, in terms of what our perspective on God, Himself, actually entails.
Because we don't pray to a God who is unconcerned. We don't pray to a God who refrains from action for reasons which are paltry. If He doesn't answer with immediacy, then He has reasons far beyond our knowing. And His reasons are good.
So, to think we're doing nothing if we spend time in prayer, spend time studying Scripture and asking the Lord for clarification? Or even to think we're "only" taking small steps in loving others gradually, by means of praying for them and waiting upon the Lord's direction unto interaction or intervention, rather than proceeding always according to grandiose, enterprising schemes intent upon saving all and sundry near us? Slippery slope mentality, there. Perhaps already fully distorted, to have so low a view of God as to consider prayer inaction...and to consider waiting upon Him inaction.
To act without waiting signifies a higher view of man than of God--whether out of self-idolizing interest, given to doing what self deems justified in difficult circumstances...or even as compounded by idolization of others, who pressure for deliverance from suffering and pain in the presence of those perceived as being capable of providing solace. All this, rather than seeking the will of God, as all such matters are in His hands.
He has reasons for doing things the way He does. And they're beyond our ability to comprehend, so we have only to trust Him. And move as He wills, seeking Him first.
With everything.
Just whatever is right in front of us--guided step by step. Even as, sometimes, He does apparently have larger-scale pursuits for many--even incorporating and allowing and requiring ongoing prayer, during and unto planning, and development. Though, still, continually grounded in prayer--not arbitrary decisions according to what seems right.
Nor arbitrary actions according to what seems necessary.
All and sundry which occurs often seems intended to draw and turn us to Him, even as to glorify Him as a result and in the midst of suffering.
And all of it--everything that is part of the process of growth in Him--requires continual seeking of Him, continual pleas for His intervention. Nothing wavering.
So, if salvation and sanctification proceed only according to the Spirit, why would it be any different, as regards good works?
If we attempt such things in our own strength--apart from total reliance upon Him--then in what capacity are we producing His fruit?
Only by grace, at that point, if at all--He mercifully works through us, perhaps, despite our lack of reverential deference: Mercifully producing fruit through us, despite our lack of reverent surrender...despite our impatience.
But it's not meant to be that way, in Christ. How many years did He wait to begin ministry, even? By the logic of needing to act, because of the prevalence and presence of suffering, we all would scoff at our own Lord's patience in waiting to begin ministry "in earnest," as public service.
Yet, until we despair of ourselves--cease attempting to find new ways of doing things, cease the ongoing attempt to reason out new ways of pleasing Him according to our own efforts and understanding--we're just going to continue to work without regard for His will.
But He's patient. He's loving enough to allow this and yet still to save us, despite our blind irreverence. And He's merciful enough to yet work through us, unto the salvation of others, regardless our lack of deference to Him.
Although it's not meant to be that way: We're meant to be surrendered to Him, to walk in complete dependence--always rejoicing in Christ and being moved by love for Him, love for others. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, even as Philip was, to go and do--not per our own understanding, but according to His direction.
And on that count, if He changes--if He has changed in the way He interacts with His creation--then how could anything He has said stand? Furthermore, so long as we thus doubt His consistency by questioning whether He would still prompt in such direct manner as He did after Christ's resurrection and ascension--moreover, doubting He would still act in such a way, based upon present, skeptical observations--how could we begin to ask Him for that sort of direct intervention, let alone expect it, while professing unbelief?
So long as we continue to believe that He no longer moves as once He did, how could we come to such a point of surrender as to forsake mechanisms of self and be wholly yielded to Him?
If we don't believe He's willing, then with what desperation will we ever ask Him to deliver us fully into His service?
If we don't believe He's capable of bringing our resistance to heel, of bringing us into compliance with His will--of continually prompting us to act and move according to His intents, more precisely--then how will we even begin to expect that He would do these things?
All of which culminates in begging the questions:
If we don't expressly believe He is who He's said He is, then in what fashion do we actually have trust that He will keep us?
How can we profess to have faith, if our actions express disbelief and lack of trust?
Because either He is everything He's said and proven--whereby we who have salvation in Him have great hope for all things good, having every good reason to always seek Him first in prayer and wait upon Him diligently--or we're all lost, everyone, everywhere, anyways.
Because if He's somehow explicitly no longer operating expressly according to what is recorded of His ways from history past--having "apparently" changed but without revealing it explicitly through the prophets that such lasting change was to come--then that which is being served is a different god than the God spoken of in the Bible, He who came as Christ to deliver unto Himself a Bride and empower her for service, to His glory.
Consider, though, it was foretold that people would change. It was foretold that we would turn away from Him more completely as time passed--becoming more and more insolent, more and more blasphemous, more and more resistant against Him. To the point of even forgetting what it is to be human, again--women forgetting what it is to be a woman, men forgetting what it is to be a man. Acting, instead with themselves as they were designed for one another, for marriage. Without realization of it being disorder, moreover.
Because of the total disorder of humanity--having forsaken God in favor of a lie--worshipping selves rather than Creator was expected and foretold as to be the order of the coming day. Even to creep in among those called to God.
So, should it be a surprise that worldly tendencies have crept into the Church? Such that we would begin to falter in our appreciation of God's power and will toward us, toward one another?...given that we live in a world which has increasingly turned toward exaltation of man's strength, understanding, and wisdom, to the hostile exclusion of reverence for God's very existence, let alone acknowledgment of His complete and unwavering sovereign prerogative?
Isn't it written that He allows this, too?...that He sits in heaven, unfazed by our derision of Him--allowing international hostility for an allotted time? We only accumulate greater wrath unto ourselves, per this course: Judgment breaks forth, as He periodically and gradually refrains from restraining the consequences of sin. We're seeing so much, already.
Blindness was one of the first bits of judgment to come, though. Seared consciences, blinded eyes, deafness against the Word. Unto greater and vaster and more incapacitating manifestations of the consequences of turning away from right order, of turning against God.
Acting in our strength is being hostile to God, is the problem--such practice innately denounces His vaster, more encompassing, sovereign prerogative and resources per refusal to await His direction. Even if unconsciously, proceeding according to our own strength and understanding refutes the superiority of God's wisdom per thus abject refusal to await, thus honor, His will.
Yet, He alone can deliver us from ourselves, even in this.
Pray that He have mercy.
For He is merciful.
He alone can do this.
____________________________
Ref:
(1) http://www.swi.org/through-kevins-eyes/featured-articles/why-isnt-the-american-church-growing/
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