Transparent about my weaknesses?

 
The Christians my husband and I spend time with have been talking about how to know the will of God, particularly to know which motivations come from Him and which are from our selfish old nature. All realize that just because that flesh nature is dead (separated from God) does not mean it shuts up and leaves us to hear God only.

Even Jesus, who is God in human flesh, was pressured by the world who wanted to make Him king and later to kill Him. The devil also tempted Him. He did not have a sin nature yet He was able “to sympathize with our weaknesses” because “He was tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) How did Jesus know the will of God? He gave a big clue when He said:

If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John 7:17)

Being willing to do whatever God tells me is important to knowing what He wants. Why would He reveal anything about His plans to a person that is not willing to do whatever He says! So yielded to obedience is a major part of knowing the difference. Not my will but Thine be done.

My level of concern for others is also a measurement. If all I think about and pray about is me and mine, then I’m out of His will. Today’s devotional puts it this way…
We never care about the little details of people’s lives unless we love them. It is a matter of indifference to us what the majority of people do, or how they spend their time. But as soon as we begin to love someone, we begin to care.

This goes both ways. I become more certain of God's love for me as I experience it in the details of life. As I realize He is caring for me in every way and at all times the more I am interested in what He is doing for others. This happens in relationships and is evidence that when God’s love is “spread abroad in my heart” I am less focused on me but them. His love becomes a daily, even a minute-by-minute guidance and motivator. Knowing how much I am loved translates into knowing what God is saying, knowing how He speaks and what He asks of me. This involves listening but it also involves shunning the devil’s lie that says the Lord does not want the best for me. When I am convinced He does, I can ignore all threats that say otherwise. I also become a better listener and have more freedom to focus on those around me.

Another way to know His will is to believe His promises. He says:

God works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life… (Philippians 2:13–16)

I can trust Him to work in me as well as guide me. If flesh and other sources lead me astray, the Lord works in my will so I will do His will. I can know it by lack of complaining and arguing on my part, and by holding to what His Word tells me. No deviations or excuses, but joyful contentment.

As this passage says, God promises to work in me a desire to do His will. He is the Savior and works in my nature so I want the same things as He wants and will behave and do things that please Him. He produces that desire in such a way that I know the liberty of following those inner desires  rather than doing anything out of duty. The requirements might be a challenge but the desire to obey is strong and certain, not a sense of being driven. He puts His will on our hearts and minds (Hebrews 10:16) so we know what He asks.

PRAY: Jesus, I’ve a problem with a person who never speaks of weakness or doubts or any struggles with the flesh. That seems unrealistic, even foreign to me. Even You, in Your perfection, sweat blood in the garden about going to the cross. This person never seems to wrestle with anything. Am I envious? Or is this discernment from You and a signal to pray for the ability to glory in weakness like Paul did (2 Corinthians 9-10) so this person will experience a much deeper grace? Again, show me Your perfect will.

Can I will myself to believe?

 

Today’s devotional presents a theological position that I’m not sure I agree with. Years ago I read many books by Watchman Nee. In part, my take-away was that humans are body, soul, and spirit. Body is the physical, soul is intellect, emotion and volition, and spirit is the inner person that is able to connect with God, know sin, and be aware of spiritual matters — but only if the spirit is made alive by God through faith in Jesus Christ. Otherwise, the spirit is dead to (separated from) God because of sin.

Nee illustrated this in concentric circles with the visible body on the outer ring,  the soul next, and the spirit in the very center. He said we are to live by a renewed spirit that listens to and obeys God, not merely by our reasoning, emotions or will. However, he also taught that the soul when under the influence of a new spirit, is made new also. We just need to learn how to live according to the spirit and not allow the desires of the old nature (body and soul)  take the place of God’s Spirit speaking to our spirit.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5–7)

And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:40–42)

Scripture indicates that I should not be relying on my own ideas, emotions and desires, or even my will when it comes to following Christ. Not that He cannot use these faculties, but that the impetus or motivation comes from His Spirit to my spirit.
This means I should not reverse this order. That is, when I get an idea the Word of God will tell me where it comes from. Jesus said that “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” (John 7:17) The source of what I hear is important. My thinking needs to agree with the will of God, meaning that obedience is not only about choice or volition, but also about study and using my brains to know God’s will so I can recognize where that idea comes from.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12–13)

Sometimes I realize the brain wave is fleshy (from my old nature) by recognizing who will get the glory, but not always. Sin and self-centered or soulish life can subtle. I need the Bible to discern my intentions and to show me whether Jesus is honored by my actions or I just want to be put on a pedestal.

Faith can be influenced by my will, but why I need to be careful about “believing by choosing to believe.” The Bible says faith comes by hearing (Romans 10) and is a gift from God, yet being willing to hear fits in there also. God wants all my “parts” surrendered to Him.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

PRAY: Jesus, I remember the moment when You came to me and opened my heart to know who You are and what You did at Calvary. Hearing You speak was a stupendous revelation to a weary and broken heart whose soul had no answers, no joy, and was unwilling and unable to make things better. But You, in an instant changed all that by choosing me — as You said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” (John 15:16) and then put Your Spirit on the throne of my life.
 

Obedience changes everything

Yesterday I scheduled a post on my “Parables” site written years ago about a word that I’d spelled incorrectly all my life. As I read it, I’m thinking how timely for me. God has been showing me the root of some sinful attitudes that I’ve struggled with for years. When God opens my eyes like that, one of my first questions is, “Why did I not see this before?” for it now seems so plain, so obvious. Today’s devotional answers my question.

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us... (Acts 17:26–27)

Over history, God gives knowledge of Himself to human beings so we can know and understand Him. He does not want to leave anyone in ignorance about Him, so He hovers over us with an unbroken presence. This is how people in every age, condition, and even in all religions learn that He is just, merciful, and governs according to His own perfect nature. We might not always understand what He is doing, but the human heart knows that God wants obedience and that He both punishes and rewards.

What we understand are not guesses or beliefs reasoned out from our nature. They are the truths that God has pressed into our understanding, even breaking through every barrier we put up between ourselves and God. There is no one too ignorant, careless, or indifferent that God abandons them to total darkness. He continually works to give even the most resistant person all the knowledge that person will grasp. Just as air crowds on everything from solid rock to the softest earth, whatever measure we can receive, God gives. His only limitation is the capacity of every person to take and hold what He reveals.

Therein is my answer. God teaches me as much truth as I can learn. God will continue to do so and all that hinders me from knowing Him perfectly is not His unwillingness, but my imperfections. As I grow purer and more like Jesus, more divine wisdom will be revealed. This is not given as wages or a reward, but simply made available to a nature more capable of receiving it, a nature increasingly determined to surrender to Him in obedience.

Christ makes a promise that is often applied to non-Christians, but it is for us who believe. It is for those who have shut the door on God in some way then wonder why we act like that as we question our behavior and our lack of understanding. The promise is . . . 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

The way to open that door of intimate fellowship with Christ is by obedience, by doing what we already know. Obedience changes people. It makes our nature more capable of hearing God and of understanding what He is doing in our lives.

If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John 7:17)

For non-Christians, knowing more about God begins by receiving Christ in faith so that sin is forgiven and a new start is possible.

For us who believe, it is a matter of the will, of choosing who I will obey. Will I listen to the demands of the world, the flesh, or the devil that lead to darkness and confusion? Or will I obey what God has already revealed about Himself and receive more teaching from Him that leads me into brighter light, deeper truth, and increased peace and joy?

How to study the Bible . . .

Ever stumbled through something without the instruction book? I’ve some hefty software that came with an equally hefty user’s manual and never cracked it open. Of course, that was foolish. I learned the hard way and the long way what the software would do or not do, missing basic tips that would have made using that software much easier.

While many do not realize it, life also comes with the manufacturer’s book of directions. This manual is not about how to change tires or how to bake a cake. It is information about the Author of life, who is the source of eternal life, how to have that life and how to live it out. It is wise to not only crack it open, but diligently read and study it, for in it we can find what is needed for living well and with purpose.

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (John 5:39–40)

Jesus told the Sadducees that they came to the Scriptures with the wrong attitude. They were looking for ways they could live forever, but rejected Him, the only source of that forever life. Yet even the people of God who have accepted Jesus and have His life need to be urged to search the Scriptures. The main excuse for not doing this is the size and complexity of this book of books. Many people simply don’t know where to start or how to study it.

The above verse gives one clue . . .  Jesus said that the Scriptures bear witness of Him, that is, they tell us the purpose of the Bible. It is God’s revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ — to show us the way of salvation, that is, how to have eternal life. So read it with that goal.

He is the treasure hidden in both the Old and New Testaments. He is depicted in prophesies, types, sacrifices, and shadows, then revealed in a human body to bear our sins. He is shown as a priest and a prophet, a friend of sinners and the “express image” of God, the Father. Again, read it looking for Jesus.

Another instruction is to search the Scriptures in childlike humility. Those who are wise in their own eyes cannot see the marvels in God’s book. They are revealed only to those who sense their own need for His Word.

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. (1 Peter 2:1–2)

Notice there is another element in these verses besides hunger. The one who benefits from the Word of God (here called spiritual milk) is the person willing to turn from sin. Repentance changes both our lives and our appetites. When we turn our backs on sin, we are more willing to come to God’s Word and say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”

Third, search the Scriptures intending to obey what God says. This attitude works together with being able to understand the Bible. Those who are willing to obey “get it” but those who are not interested in obedience will not understand it. This is because spiritual things must be revealed to us by the Spirit of God. He knows what we need to hear and what we are ready to hear. He also will not give us truth unless our hearts are ready to receive and obey it. This is grace too, and clearly shows the value of being teachable.

If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John 7:17)

My sister was saved in Algeria through the ministry of a missionary who risked her life to be in that place. She taught my sister, who then taught me, a wonderful way to read the Bible devotionally. Begin in the New Testament with a notebook and pen in hand. Read until something pops out that you do understand. Write the date, the verses, and then whatever it was that you understood. Repeat daily.

This formula works really well. Taking courses and reading books on how to study will also be helpful, but never underestimate the power of God to open the meaning of His Word to a heart that is willing to hear Him and do what He says.

Willing heart first, clarity next

Before we rose to greet the first day of this New Year, my hubby and I talked about a lesson we learned last year; God wants us willing to obey Him before He gives us a clear idea of what He wants us to do.

This principle applies also to our ability to understand the Bible. As Jesus said, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” (John 7:17) How much more we need that willingness so we can discern the voice of the Holy Spirit amid the plethora of voices in the world and in our own hearts.

Besides that, there are a plethora of ‘interpretation’ methods when it comes to reading the Bible. I am about to embark on a course in New Testament theology and am already reading books that explain some of these methods. I’ve noticed that the subjective side of faith in a Christian’s relationship with God is mostly disregarded in these modern methods. They say subjectivity cannot be trusted and there is an element of truth in that conclusion. Yet without being willing to do what God says, God usually does not bestow much clarity on me.

Then I read this morning’s devotional from a book called, Take Heart —Daily Devotions with the World’s Great Preachers. The Scripture is from Joshua and involves instruction to the people as they are about to cross the Jordan River into the new land that God had promised them. They were told to follow the ark of the covenant…

Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:4–5)

In the first day of a New Year, I look back a bit, but mostly look forward. We had a stressful year of change. What will the next year bring? As the devotional writer says, before us lies an untrodden way. We have not done 2013 before. How would God have me approach this way?

I notice that Joshua told the people to consecrate or sanctify themselves. Jesus also said the same thing as He prepared to go to the cross, for Him also an untrodden way. His words were, “For them I sanctify myself” (John 17:19).

This means dedicating myself again to God, giving my life to Him in fresh and unreserved surrender. I have already learned that the “wonders of tomorrow depend on the sanctification of today” and that the will of God will unfold before me as I am willing to do whatever He asks of me.

I breathed a sigh as I read, “enthusiasm of youth may have departed, the strength once enjoyed may have been weakened, the freshness may have been rubbed off things through the ceaseless handling of the years” yet smiled also in agreement where the devotional reading said that for those who face the unknown in sanctification, “tomorrow will be more wonderful than yesterday.”

This is about being willing to obey before I find out my marching orders. Israel sent on ahead the ark of God to show that they believed God was with them. My willingness to obey also shows that I believe the Lord is with me. If He asks me to plunge into a swollen river, I can do it because I trust Him.

The devotional writer also reminds me that too often I send my imagination ahead instead of faith. I toss myself into a fit with fear over some untrodden way. For example, fear of going back to school, of participating in online discussions, of taking exams, of trying to remember the words in a 700-page textbook. But as he says, fear is poor at finding a place to wade across a river and is also a lousy bridge-builder. Fear hears nothing but the raging water, missing the music of the Spirit, missing the still small voice of God.

Israel sent that ark of God on ahead and the waters stopped, even stood in a heap. Because the people surrendered themselves, they were able to go forward with banners flying into a new adventure. Their willingness to obey conquered their fear of the unknown and silenced all objections toward having never come this way before.

Willing to do His will

In the past few weeks, the Lord has been leading us to attend a church closer to where we live. This has not been easy because we gone to our present church for twenty years. However, over time God has convinced us that this is His will for us. 

Yesterday, we told our friends at church. Each person had a different reaction. Some were surprised, some not surprised. Some cried. Some understood that where God leads, you must follow, even when it does not make sense. Some related it to their own situations with trying to discern God’s leading. One person was certain of what they were supposed to do, then found that reversed by circumstances. Another told us of their obedience resulting in disaster. Two people said we are making a mistake and they were going to try to talk us out of it. The most discussion seemed centered around how a person knows the leading of the Lord. 

God’s leading was once a visible thing. Back when God’s people came out of Egypt, He led them through the wilderness with signs they could see.

In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light. (Psalm 78:14)

This verse tells of visible signs yet even in this example, there are some clues about the way God leads. Night speaks of darkness and not knowing where I am going. In those situations, the leading of God can be the brightest. It often stands in contrast to the confusion or hesitation that is part of not being certain. That is, when life is murky the will of God can be totally bright, like fireworks against the night sky.

His leading in the daytime is another matter. When I can see what is happening around me, the leading of God might be more like a cloud. I am aware of many things and unless the cloud is very prominent, it is not as easy to see. There may be other clouds, other options. Which one is of God? How can I know His leading in the midst of everything else that pulls at my interest and affections?

I noticed yesterday that folks have ideas about how God leads them and tend to think that everyone else makes decisions the same way as they do. For instance, one person told me that the “leading of God” is mixed with what you really want to do yourself and this must be what I really wanted. Another said that God changes His mind based on the circumstances, indicating that His leading is more about whatever way the wind blows, so if situations change, we might change our mind. 

Those ideas seem more about my will than God’s. Jesus teaches that the leading of God is not about my I-wants. In fact, I cannot be certain of His will until I’ve come to the place where I have dropped my own preferences and am willing to go whatever direction He says. Jesus said,

If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John 7:17)

Dropping my own desires might take a long time. Part of the problem is not recognizing them in the first place, or even thinking there is anything wrong with what I want. However, Jesus prayed “Not my will but Thine be done.” His will was never mixed with sin and selfishness. This speaks to me. My will can be polluted. I need to drop my own desires if I’m going to hear and follow God’s will.

For us, being aware of that ‘requirement’ made it easier to pray, “Not our will, but Thine be done,” yet getting there took several weeks. It also meant being aware and honest about our own motivations. We finally came to the place of being willing to go or willing to stay, whatever God wanted.

Once there, knowing God’s will becomes easier. Sometimes His Word makes it clear, but on issues like this one, it was more like the Holy Spirit nudging us, giving us a divine elbow in the ribs. Once we made the decision that He wanted, the nudge was replaced by a sense of, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Does going with the will of God mean everything will be rosy? Not necessarily. Jesus prayed the same thing and willingly followed the will of His Father. By doing so, He was crucified. The will of God may not be a bed of roses, but it will be obedience, and never done in vain. 

Our friends look for reasons. Our rational and human minds want to have reasons. However, faith is not like that. Faith means that when God sends a cloud or a fiery light, you follow it. We can ask why or what He has in mind, but that is not necessarily an expression of faith. Instead, faith just does what He says and lets Him decide how much He will show us about His reasons and purposes for it. 

---

Lord, I’m challenged by whoever said, “Live in such a way that your life and actions cannot be explained by any other reason than God is at work.” This is both a scary place to be and a delight. I don’t know what You have planned, but I do know that yielding to Your plans is always better than resisting. Yielding also makes walking with You a great adventure. We want to be close to You, so clouds or bright lights, here we come.