What Needs Be, Regardless What Has Been

Knowing what to say and when to say it seems such a heavy matter. Discernment is an abject necessity, always.

Often remembering that the Lord told His disciples not to even consider what they would say, when taken before kings and courts--the Holy Spirit would give them what speech was necessary, in the very moment of passage.

This, even as James made case that the tongue is untameable. Wicked, unruly. So much so that those who controlled it could be counted perfect (Christ, alone, then).

In tandem, though?

Perhaps just abiding in His Spirit, in the strength of His love. To a deeper degree than generally is conceived possible or requisite any circumstance.

The Bible is our source for instruction on these matters. Our translator, the Holy Spirit.

These matters are particularly pressing, at present, as coming upon a time of necessary divulgence. As means of cleansing, unto sanctification per leadership of the Holy Spirit into a circumstance of counsel, per fellowship.

Partial Consideration of Reality and a Right Spirit

Is He real, to you?

That's been so very...unsettling, this past week.

Is His presence abiding in such a way that you know He's right there, with you?

Or is it something hoped for, believed because of Scripture, alone?
Because He said it's true.

But is it real, to you? Is He real, to you?

Been reading through the major prophets, again. Not in their entirety, but piecemeal. Just...taking in glimpses.

And seeing so much of even the church described therein. Always, with lips that give praise, that speak highly of Him, the proclaim Him as God, as Lord alone...while hearts are consumed with jobs, family, hopes for success.

Which, I know I'm in somewhat a unique position on that front, perhaps. I'd been estranged in varying ways from pretty much my entire family. And have no "family of my own." And have increasingly, over the years, come to experience corporate professionalism as entirely deadening and hopeless. To a point of finally finding hope in Christ. In Him, only.

So, it's His people now who've become a great concern.

...I don't remember who said it, but one of the preachers I listen to said something to the effect of, "we major on minors."

And it's entirely true.

We focus on maintaining doctrine to the exclusion of realizing brotherly love.
We focus on sound theology to the exclusion of seeking to know Christ in spirit and truth.
We focus on maintaining a prayer-life to the exclusion of actuating prayer.
We focus on devoting time to studying Scripture without ever overtly realizing increased nearness to the One by whom it was composited.

We speak highly of Him, but keep Him always at arm's length. As though we're afraid to draw too near to Him.

Like with the professor--one of my former mentors--who told me, last June, not to go "all out" for Christ. Because it's good enough just to be a "normal Christian," just go to church on Sundays and not worry about all the rest. Otherwise, I'd be a target. I'd be attacked on all sides. I'd lose everything.

That probably entirely does constitute the views most folks have of the Lord:

Don't get too close to Him--you'll lose everything!

"The Chocolate Soldier" or "Heroism--The Lost Chord of Christianity" by C.T. Studd

"The Chocolate Soldier"

or "Heroism—The Lost Chord of Christianity"

by C. T. Studd

HEROISM is the lost chord; the missing note of present-day Christianity!

Every true soldier is a hero! A SOLDIER WITHOUT HEROISM IS A CHOCOLATE SOLDIER! Who has not been stirred to scorn and mirth at the very thought of a Chocolate Soldier? In peace true soldiers are captive lions, fretting in their cages. War gives them their liberty and sends them, like boys bounding out of school, to obtain their heart's desire or perish in the attempt. Battle is the soldier's vital breath! Peace turns him into a stooping asthmatic. War makes him a whole man again, and gives him the heart, strength, and vigour of a hero.

EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN IS A SOLDIER—of Christ—a hero "par excellence!" Braver than the bravest—scorning the soft seductions of peace and her oft-repeated warnings against hardship, disease, danger, and death, whom he counts among his bosom friends.

THE OTHERWISE CHRISTIAN IS A CHOCOLATE CHRISTIAN! Dissolving in water and melting at the smell of fire. "Sweeties" they are! Bonbons, lollipops! Living their lives on a glass dish or in a cardboard box, each clad in his soft clothing, a little frilled white paper to preserve his dear little delicate constitution.

In Christ, Alone. Peace and Freedom.

Trusting the Lord is so very necessary, so very good.

And yet there's still a battle which periodically rages, as a desire to return to my own understanding arises again and again. 

These past few weeks, temptation has come from all sides. I've fallen numerous times, and continue to struggle. 

Even knowing on some level that it's His righteousness which matters, not mine. Because mine's insufficient from gaining any favor with God, regardless. It's Christ who makes me well, not my own efforts.

Grace.

Which...is all the more reason to strive against sin, for love of Him, desire to be conformed to His image. Even as knowing that He's the means by which all good comes to and perhaps through me...means that when I do things as a matter of pursuing fulfillment of my own understanding of what He wills, without regard to His leading, then still I'm being rebellious.

There's a depth to abiding in Him which eradicates anxiety, eradicates fear, eradicates doubt, and eradicates temptation. And it came clear for a good while, during fellowship with the Spirit over course of church service, a few weeks ago.

Fruit vs. Works & Compromising Efforts

Drawing nearer to the Lord is such a fundamental necessity, for all good.

He's there, regardless whether we're paying any attention to Him. Regardless whether people refute His existence or neglect His sovereignty. Only, the peace and joy which He offers--wisdom and knowledge, love and patience...increasing self-control...

...all those and other blessed sanctions wholly wrought through increasing in love for Him, increasingly drive desire for further sanctification. Just to be closer to Him. To experience His love.

Just to know Him, as He truly is. Ever more clearly.

Increasingly realizing His presence and immanence. His love, His goodness, His faithfulness. All which humble and convict and lead in paths of righteousness, for His name's sake.

Growing in grace, then. Ever sufficient, as His mercies are new every day. For He never changes, nor forsakes us. He is faithful to His nature, to His word, and thus to those who are His. We can know these things, for the evidence as recorded in Scripture, but also by reflecting upon the lives of those who have markedly evidenced true saving knowledge of Him.

Even as our own lives bear those hallmarks of His faithfulness, for those who know Him in spirit and truth.

Eschatological Chaos: Errant Extremes

Another distinction which need be considered seems often given to one of some few variety of extremes (i.e., excluding Christ as primary focus):

"End-time" stuff.

Recent teaching at church did justice on this account: The matter of knowing precisely "when" isn't relevant to our lives, even as we must live believing in the ever-imminent culmination of this age, as Christ's return must be expected possible in any instant.

To the flesh, that sounds completely nonsensical, as circularly illogical: "How could it be possible or necessary to continually expect an event's immediate occurrence, yet simultaneously live as though the specific time of that event is absolutely irrelevant?"

There's a disregard for any "absolute" sense of time thereabouts which completely goes against the grain of the flesh, is all. (The flesh wants to know and to plan as to assert dominance, ultimately--it wants to live by sight, not by faith, as to maintain a sense of self-esteem sourced in the observable world.)

Walking Faith

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10

Everything has continued to be rather strained. Much prayer, and a momentary breakthrough last night. Only momentary, but enough to recall as a source of strength, now.

The Lord is so good, that way.

Walking by faith is strange, in this world. Everything around us demands attention, demands focus, demands honor. Everything around us demands priority. To such an extent, without the help of the Lord, it all would take full focus. And still may tend toward that, except for diligent seeking of Christ.

Year before last saw a break, on that front, in ways. Prior to salvation, there'd been a struggle regarding a conscious divide which was continually "walked" regarding metaphysical and physical reality. Experience had proven the validity and import of the former, but there's an odd strain in attempting to "reconcile" what seem disparate realities. But they're not. They're not disjoined.

There's not even an overlay, really.

They exist in the same time and space, even as one apparently exceeds the other.

Reality Check

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

As delusion goes, try this one on for size (in other words, see if you're already "wearing it"):

Serving God, seeking Him, praising the Lord, knowing Christ Jesus as savior and master...

...and yet experiencing a disconnect, in such a way that it shocks you to hear of people acting in such ways as this:

WASHINGTON – A legal brief recently submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court warns that forcing states to recognize same-sex “marriage” could bring God’s judgment upon the nation.

As previously reported, in January, in light of contrasting appeals court decisions, the nine justices agreed to take up a case that would determine whether or not the U.S.Constitution provides states the right to ban same-sex nuptials. The case is set to for oral argument this month with a decision in June.

“This case before this Court is this nation’s tower of Babel. At issue is whether we as a people are going to continue to conform the institution of marriage to the one created and established by God, or instead will reform the most sacred of human institutions into something else chosen by an elite set of jurists,” reads the amicus brief, filed by the U.S. Justice Foundation of Ramona, Calif. and the law offices of William Olsen of Vienna, Va.

...acting as though, you know...God is real and the Bible is legitimately His word.