A great problem for me has been to simply rest in the benefits afforded me by my connection to The Father made true in The Son; and discovering just what does that means in my everyday life, and how do I take advantage of its availability? In other words how can I gain a spiritual prosperity of the truth in my daily affairs? "That you may be filled with a clear knowledge of His will accompanied by thorough wisdom and discernment in spiritual things" Col. 1:9. My weakness has been in the discernment area of spiritual things, and I think it may be possible many of those I encounter have much the same trouble.
First if we are to be wise and discerning on any subject we must have a knowledge of it; that goes without saying! What then are spiritual things? The bible says that the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord. By fear this means a mentally held respect for all His ways and His will. I believe we may discern His spiritual will for us by realizing that the knowledge of spiritual things is only found in the mind of God, but it is up to us to interpret it as He makes it know to us in His Word. So spiritual things are reveled by the mind of God, to the renewed mind of man. In Col. 1:10, the bible tells us "to walk worthy of the Lord to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and growing by the full knowledge of God". It seems my friends we, by His word, must grow in knowledge, so we might have our work cut out for us to gain the interpretive quality needed for spiritual things.
I have discussed in my blogs in many different ways basically the same subject, namely our position in Christ. I will not go over the details of what that means here, as it will be easy for you to simply refer to my past comments, but that being said: I wish to discuss the fruit of knowing this truth, of position, held in the spiritual discernment and wisdom we can partake of by holding our understanding of the subject in faith in our mind. In other words resting in God's mental gifts to us. It seem only natural that the mountain top of rest cannot be reached without trudging the road of the foothills; this is where I failed for so many years, on the road to happy destiny. My friends it takes hard work, dedication and patience to find the hope The Father has provided for a mature resting place in His Son. I have come to accept that most will not make the effort to arrive, as the world and its affairs, and more so I think, our own personal fears indulged in, prevent a clear view of the highway. While the world will always impact us, as we are in it, our own anxiety's are internal and ultimately our own responsibility. Perhaps this is where we can find the cure to connect with the benefits God has provided for dealing with fear. This upward slope on our path will only be mounted by gaining the knowledge to overcome, and then believed in by a confident faith! How then do we accomplish such a feat?
I am afraid my dear friends there is not a easy answer; the pilgrims progress is slowed by many intrepid encounters along the way. Which when looked back upon may be seen as a benefit in helping us to find our way, but seldom so when we are engaged in them, and often serve to hold us in a that place of fear. I know many Christians do not like the word psychology, but I think some credit for that approach is needed here. The idea for most therapy is to help the patient become aware of there own weakness, becoming self analytical in the process, a good thing. The big gap I believe is encountered by the all to often consequence of this approach alone, we are still left with ourselves, the flesh, in the end, not a good thing. The Word of God tells us we are completely new creatures our old self has been cast aside made annulled, dead. We now are being conformed to the image of Christ, and in fact are already conformed to that image in the Mind of God. With a clear spiritual discernment of this great benefit we are not left orphaned, with only a natural man to look to; but can through the knowledge of biblical truth apply what we learn about ourselves to the solid foundation of a current citizenship in heaven, the new you living there, held firmly in your own personal understanding, by the Representative fact of Christ presence there; and thereby come to know and maintain our identity in The New Man and derive our lasting and true analytical powers from the source of life, which is The Mind of God in Christ, by the Holy Spirit in us.
I realize it is one thing to apply for the benefits and another to get them. I know of many Christians seeking relief, but few finding it. I once was the voluntary victim of this dilemma. This frustration is magnified because we are trying to overcome this or that, not seeing that we have the benefit of something far greater than could ever be found in a personal self centered effort. We are in truth by Christ's effect far superior to any inhibiting fears. There really is no need for the Christian to be confined, with no relief during trials, as it is not a self centered power which we should be seeking as the benefit, but the power of the Mind of Christ which is already in us, although we must have awareness of it. The power we might find in the self contained man opens doors yes, but we remain in the flesh. The power of the Holy Spirit in us in awareness enables us to climb the wall, grace carries us ever upward gaining strength at each new barrier. This effect is God's benefit to His children, a practical power found by abiding in the truth of our position in Christ resting in our fellowship where He is, while walking down here. The fruit of knowing our position in Christ.
Really what we are talking about here is Spiritual health and maturity. While one may be converted, saved and on their way to the by and by, he may not know where the Lord is and his place in Him there, nor have a concept of the all important view God has of the believer seen in His Son, and therefore remain weak. Not knowing his dwelling place is above; which is The Fathers perspective, the only one that matters, a mature incite is needed into the true doctrine of our heavenly presence rested in, in our mind/spirit. Without knowledge of the biblical facts the believer will never see the clear light of the way prepared by Christ's death to all that is self. I have encountered many men and women who have a firm grasp of this world, a large estate, secure in material things, and even active in Christian service, but have poor spiritual health, and therefor cannot enjoy their possessions, both material and spiritual. Really friends, what good is the world anyway? Why do we fear, people, places, and things and participate in the sin of anxiety? How can we be set free to connect with God's benefits, where we will find a sure footing?
The answer to the above, I believe is simply knowing the difference between the old self centered order and the new order we are beheld in by God, in Christ. The old order brings about suffering, which is useful in God's formula for us. It is as sufferings grow that the consolations of Christ abound. We might be in a trial, but by a awareness of our position of holiness and total security before God in Christ; we are made superior to it! This concept is made clearer by the words of J.B. Stoney, which I will close with: "Do not look for a change in your circumstances, but keep your mind on the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ above[and your presence in Him there], that while by the power of the Holy Spirit you have association with Him where He is [in heaven], you will manifest His life and power where He is not [on the earth]. What really hinders souls is this: they are looking for easy circumstances, looking for God to take away the difficulties, instead of looking to Him for grace to be superior to them". "For when I am weak, then am I strong" 2 Cor. 12:10.
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