Daily Archives: April 18, 2012

The Bridge Over Troubled Waters (The hand Up is the Same Hand of Out)

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Footbridge near Stumble Wood This bridge is on...

Footbridge near Stumble Wood This bridge is on a path (No. WC347) from Halden Lane to Stepneyford Lane. It passes over stream feeding into Stumble Wood (on the left). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Past the beginnings of a relationship with Jesus, the Glorious King of Kings, a man will find places where he falters and tumbles back into the sins he thought were left in the dark dust of the past.  He will look down at his feet as he walks and smile with joy at the steadiness of his gait.  But sometimes he finds himself tripped up by lust, greed, lies, pride, or ignorance.  It has happened to me countless times.  And I know it happens to the very best of saints.  How should the beginner be surprised if it happens to him?

There is something about this which needs to be spoken.  It is one thing to remain in sins and never seek a way out through Jesus.  When we are in that state of affairs we should expect no help when we fall.  For we are as those who are still sitting in stench and the fall we experience is nothing more than the slip of our hand as we try to readjust our sitting.  The tumbles I am speaking of happen to those who have come some distance from that stench and have learned to walk on legs of righteousness given to them by the Lord Himself.

You will slip from time to time.  Take that as a given.  So I would advise my brothers and sisters to do this:  When you are able to walk make a considerable distance from the possibility of slipping.  Add some speed to your ways so that you move as far away from sin as possible.  Now, when you slip it will not be a pattern of behavior.   It will be simply a part of the experience we share in Christ.

There is a vast difference between holding on to some sins so that you continually revert to them, and stumbling because of things which remain in hidden in your mind.  If your heart is clean and your desire to serve Him is pure, you will find His reaction to your stumbling and tripping a great deal different than what you tasted as you began this walk.

Regardless your understanding of what I have written here, take heart.  He has seen what you desire in regard to holiness.  He has witnessed your ways with perfect and knowledgable eyes.  The Lord you trusted to take you from where you started is quite able to take you from where you are.  Do not let your faith be shaken.  Get up.  Dust yourself off.  Go to Him.  Give thanks for what He has done.  Ask for understanding, wisdom, and strength.  And start walking again!

“The Way”

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This way ...

This way ... (Photo credit: tmblue)

Some mock Christianity.   They say there is nothing to this Jesus teaching and worship.  They think the mind and the habitual glorification of man is of better stock.  After all, what we have is the culmination of centuries of evolution of man.

Some play dress up, as though it is appearance which wins favor from the Living God.  They dress their words, their social standing, and their knowledge of the traditions of the Church.   They think the Church has evolved past the teachings of holiness and the coming judgment.

Some moan under the oppression of their conscience and remain in a deep and cold cave of hopelessness.  They are dressed in their own rebellion, and loathe their clothes.  Yet the two above have considerable weight in their decision to remain as they are.

And there are some who recognize the intense warfare within the soul that Jesus came to ignite.  They take their clothing (that is, they take their conscience, thoughts, and actions.) to the Lord of Life so that He can examine them and give direction, help, and renewal.  These are walking “The Way”.

Jesus spoke of “The Way” in these words:  “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.  Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” (John 7:17)  In this the fourth group prove the validity of Christianity.  They know the hatred for the ways of this world, the folly of the social gospel, and the utter contempt for groveling in our sins.  These will testify of both the power and difficulty of “The Way”.

It becomes very clear to them, the meaning of Peter’s words:  “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (1 Peter 4:18)  The last group have, within themselves, a testimony which the other three rarely ask about.  And this is why they flounder in their confusion.  It is far easier to remain drawn to sin even though men suffer under horrible oppression.  Yet, though “The Way” is most difficult, it is by no means above us to accomplish the Father’s Will in Jesus.  For we are given strength from moment to moment so that we can over come.