Purpose of Life. . .

Several pages in Stephen Charnock’s book, “The Existence and Attributes of God” put me in tears this morning. He describes all the ways that even God’s people not only doubt the power of God, but also deny it. He gives examples from the OT then points to the opposite in many passages from both OT and NT. His point is that the Lord is omnipotent and totally worthy of being called Almighty God, yet so many live as if God is powerless.

Charnock also says that the fact that God is able to do whatever His will desires to do cannot  absolve me from obedience. As He showed me yesterday, He serves us and enables us to live godly lives. Some will say they are serving God as if God requires help, but that is a denial of His power; Almighty God does not need anyone or anything. He simply uses us and the power of the Holy Spirit enables us. One analogy is that He is the hand and we are the glove. As Jesus said:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

Jesus also said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:16–17) So what is the fruit?

From His words, I get the impression that fruit is related to what God puts on my heart and in my prayer list. This begs the question: what motivates me? It must be God, but before I can have godly motivation, I must drop all worldly motivation. . . .  

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)

This covers all personal desires and anything that makes me look good, feel good, and gain glory. Remember the way Jesus criticized the Pharisees for praying and parading to look good before others? Worldliness is about personal I-wants, not the will of God. I’m noticing that many cannot discern the difference. However, God gives a remedy. . . .  

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

The NT tells me to put on the new self and that old self is dead (separated from God) and useless. This is a faith issue for it does not seem dead in the sense of no longer a problem, but very much alive and trying to run things ‘my way’ rather than the way of Jesus.

So the fruit of the Spirit is not about me, my wants, what makes me feel good, etc. apart from what the Spirit gives — which usually feels good, but as soon as the fruit is my goal, I’ve turned my heart from glorifying Jesus to doing what I want — so I will feel good. Obeying Jesus isn’t about glorying in what He gives, but about glorifying Him.

For this, a very mature apostle wrote that he was not there yet, “But Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” (Philippians 3:13–15)

PRAY: Lord, my enemies are the world, the flesh, and the devil with all three wanting to keep me involved in sinful living rather than being like You and glorifying You. Salvation is freedom from that sin-filled stuff to obey You in whatever You tell me to do. This is why I’m here — to bear that fruit. It’s not about me. You must increase, but I must decrease.

Holiness through faith in Christ

Tozer declares “we” come into the presence of God with tainted souls and do nothing about it. His words for today also seem to accuse Christians of living careless lives even though we go to church and go through all the motions, there is a neglect of holiness. That is, our salvation is not evident because of a lack of genuine spirituality.

I’m not sure what was going on in Tozer’s era or circumstances, nor do I understand his concept of holiness. What I do know is Jesus Christ is my holiness, my righteousness. Without the Savior there is no salvation. Without the holy Son of God, there is no holiness. Whatever in me that is godly comes from Him.

Yes, many of us live with our own concept of morality yet in the process of being sanctified by God, we learn that we always fall short. If the righteousness of Christ were not imputed on us and if God judged us by our performance, no one could be saved or allowed into the gates of heaven.

Even great men of God admitted their failure to be like Him. Isaiah said, “I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). Paul said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

We come dirty into the presence of God but the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Like the Israelites of old, we often are determined to do better, yet repeatedly struggle with sin. We know that our salvation is in Christ yet we are told to work it out with fear and trembling as He works in us. What is our part and what is God’s part? That question can be confusing.

We also know that holiness is the standard and most of us realize that we fall short. Tozer uses this verse:

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

I note it says, “the holiness” and realize that there is more than one kind. We can have a self-righteous sanctification that claims to never sin and gets called ‘holier than thou.’ The holiness at the other end of the spectrum is what Paul was talking about by saying, “I am the chief of sinners” and still be a righteous man. He knew where his righteousness came from. Even though he disciplined himself and aimed high, he also knew that his efforts were a waste without the grace of God that makes holiness possible.

One verse is a great encouragement to me and helps me when my resolve to be holy falls in the mud:

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6–7)

I received Jesus by faith, confessing that I cannot save myself. I’m also striving to walk by faith, continually realizing that I cannot conquer sin or be holy without Jesus. He works in me to take away sin. I am in awe of His power to save.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Falling down is not the issue. All Christians struggle with living to God’s high standards. Paul knew he was not there yet. Even as a mature believer, he said this about being like Jesus:

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” (Philippians 3:13–15)

And to me, he says: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, Your salvation declares me holy then makes me what You say I already am! I’m thinking that You are more pleased in those days when I’m on my face realizing over again and more deeply that I cannot save myself than You are in those days when I am trying to be holy without any humility or even awareness of how far short I fall. I need You every moment!