Deterrence to Fulfilling Our Spiritual Destiny

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.  (Act 21:13)

Reality cannot be the reason not to continue on in faith. Faith is beyond seeing the natural, but the ability to behold our spiritual destiny and whole heartedness to substantiate the things God has laid hold of us. Don’t let situations, fear, danger and uncertainty deter us. If we are not willing to lay our lives down and rise to the occasion in fulfilling the purposes of God in and through us, He will not fail, He will raise another (Est 4:14). Natural reality can never stop God from intervening in human affairs for His glory, it is whether we are willing to avail ourselves to be vessels of honor for His divine purposes. Following Jesus would mean heartaches to loved ones and ourselves, don't let these be the enemy in fulfilling our spiritual destiny.

True Measure of Life

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.  (1 John 3:14)

Don’t measure existence of the life of Christ in any fellowship by the amount of spiritual activity. It is not how much faith that bears witness of the disciple but how much love toward each other (John 13:35). Even faith requires action. We love one another not because we agree in a matter or share common interests. We love because we are brethren. To love the brethren is to over look each other faults and shortcomings, ‘love covereth all sins’ not some sins (Prov 10:12). This is the cross we ought to bear. This is the walk we ought to walk after the footsteps of the Master (1 John 2:6).

We want God to love us. Selfishness is when we don’t share the love of God with others, especially of the household of God. We know the love of God because Jesus laid down His life for us, similarly the outworking of the love of God toward the brethren (1 John 3:16).

Christian love is practical not just talk (1 John 3:18). Don’t just say that we love one another, show it. We know that the love of God dwells in us by ensuring our brethren have what we have.  Sin is shutting up compassion and selfishly hoarding for ourselves. The true measure of Christ life in us is when we love unconditionally, not wanting anything in return. God gave, so do we in like manner.

Integrity

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.  (Psa 101:2)

A disciple is not passive otherwise we would have been created as mindless automatons. Work out the little the Lord has built in and He will work in more of Christ nature, lest spiritual laziness and passivity set in. A son of God has to’ will to do’ (John 7:17), don’t say ‘I will do as He moves me’. God will never move us; He moves and the sheep follows.

Integrity is to adhere to God’s moral principles which are evidenced by our behavior in light of public eyes or in secret. It soulish to do the honorable in public to garner honor from man (Matt 6:4, 6, 18), seek God’s approval by carrying the same moral stature in private. It is in the private when our thoughts and actions will be tested and judged. Integrity need to be demonstrated consistently in the light of man’s eyes and in the light of God’s eyes.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.  (Prov 11:3)

A child of God who lives in integrity in God’s light has the reward of a pure conscience toward the Lord and others (1 John 1:7). There is unwavering security even in the midst of external storm. There is a peace that surpasses human understanding. Steadfastness because one is anchored in the Savior and the pathway of our pilgrimage is very clear with a certain glorious end. Conversely those who transgress against the rule of integrity will bring about self destruction.

Lust Kills Compassion

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (1Jn 2:16)

What massive consumerism did was to create a superficial 'need' for things. Things have become so part of us that has defined our culture of narcissism. Fellow human suffering and especially that many are travelling the broad way to destruction is no longer a cause for concern as long as 'I' can keep my toys and play them.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  (1Jn 3:17)

Not having compassion to the poor and needy is blindness. It is looking at gratifying self that is the cause for blindness. ‘I’ want to be loved, ‘I’ need attention, ‘I’……there is a grave concern that ‘I’ is satisfied. This is a big deception because the ‘I’ can never find its fulfillment (Prov 30:15). How can God pour His love to this generation? It is only to the cross bearers who deny lust of things and undeniably choose simplicity which is in Christ (2 Cor 11:3).

Fearing God

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.  (Luke 12:5)

The warning was not an apostolic or prophetic one, but from the Lord Jesus Himself. Fearing God is not to be misunderstood lest it can bring about an unrealistic form that could lead to the pride of pseudo spirituality. For some rejecting what God commanded because its misinterpretation resulting in cowering and coldness, void of lovingkindness. Without the fear of God, there is a danger of subconsciously denying the reality of hell, likewise also denying the existence of Kingdom of God. This denial is to say that God is not just, hence claiming blasphemously that God doesn’t judge.

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  (Psa 34:12)

On the contrary, fearing God is demonstrated in the most practical way (Psa 34:11-14). This way that the Lord has paved for us is always for good not for evil (Psa 34:12). It benefits us, putting us in the light of having more to gain. Resolve in prayer to fear God, not being double hearted about it (Psa 86:11). Fearing God benefits others and brings the Shalom of God into relationships (Eph 5:21). Wholeness in relationship will flourish with the fear of God. This peace will be the outworking of our lives to place us in the glorious position to be called a child of God in His Kingdom (Matt 5:9, Rom 14:17).

The Uncritical Temper
Oswald Chambers

Love Where You Are Not Respected 
Oswald Chambers