ACCEPTING THE MYSTERY IN RECOVERY

      Many wonder as to the entry into heaven of their pets. Ever thought about that? Why not? Pets cats, dogs, birds, etc. don't spend an inordinate amount of their life dealing with sin and worldly temptations like us. Animals just live out their time wallowing in the truth of there own circumstances: that of  utter dependents, either upon nature or the good graces of man. So why would they not qualify? From the standpoint of their conscious mind they appear cleared for entry, it might seem? What lucky beasts indeed, no worries of guilt, or inferiority's to beat down their poor soul's. They simply face the condition of their life and receive it in complete faith day by day moment by moment. It could be they perceive themselves only in very shot equivalences of time, as to their internal awareness of their own existence. So that each minute or hour would always seem new as a sort of permanent condition. Perhaps we could learn from their example? What a beautiful thought. If only we could see each day new, and really believe it. No past to haunt us, no unknown tomorrows to worry about. So for instance if we are happy for a day it would be as all our life were happy. And the next day would be the same. Every day a happy day. Of course since we are human there also might be the occasional bad day, or just plain terrible day. Oh no, if we thought as our pets then would a bad day seem to last for ever too? No way I would sign up for life on those terms; permanently conditionally bad you could say. Yet many do, by choosing to remain the same. Yes our problem just might be the old self centered nature is always available if called upon, by being relived each day, and therefore that's what defines the moments of our life. Is there a alternative to that end? There must be, surely The Father would not leave His children to such a fate!

      I've thought a lot this week about the conditions I have developed for my life, as to defining the moment. I've come a long way these last three years, at least in my own estimation. From once finding myself with no will to live because of a seemingly unfulfilled Christian promise which I still believed and had hoped was true. Calling each day upon my natural human instincts to come to the rescue: but to no avail. Why were the circumstances of life so difficult for me? Then I entered a new path of faith in finding the biblical truth of my position and identity in Christ; often on a pink cloud of new understanding. I saw my entire Christian life change because of the doctrine [study]of positional truth. I learned that I not only had a place in heaven in the by and by, but that I was there now contained or positioned in Jesus Christ; if I only would seek a life in Spirit, a mentally observed condition.. I found by the spiritual way Jesus is my very own personal representative before The Father, as all I could ever be to Him. I came to apprehend myself as perfect before God in Christ. Which was a great gain of power for me in overcoming this life and all its troubles. A new mental image of myself offering great hope for the carrying on of this earthly existence. Transferred to the life of my Saviour. I have of late though come to a very frustrating place; as I've stated in past blogs. With the knowing of this truth. I now wish every Christian could have the same freedom and joy. But they, I now know cannot, except in their own time. I have to be fine with that, and I am in process to that end I hope! The great change now for me at this time is acceptance. What a relief! I have come to realize I can indeed be in control of my future, something like our friends the animals; by creating conditions for good days ahead. By opening my mind, spirit and efforts to a divine preoccupation, a permanent constant awareness if you will, of my present position in Christ, which now defines my life. And acceptance of other Christians in that exact same position: but perhaps unaware, is the door opener which affords me the opportunity to live happily with the results.

      The other day I went to a local mega Church and listened to a message which was uplifting and glorified our Lord. At the end of the service the Pastors mother came up to the stage, as it was mothers day, and gave a short testimony. It sounded like she and her family lived the happy perfect Christian life. A Pastors wife, the mother of a Pastor, surrounded by her children grand children and even great grandchildren. I wondered does she know she is positioned in Christ in heaven in the way I have come to? Is that a clear doctrine in her mind? A spiritual self awareness. Who knows? Perhaps not. Yet there she stands, a child of God, clearly so blessed, and such a blessing to others. I also have been attending a Friday night home group with some folks called The Local Church. Christian followers of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. They are perhaps the most sincere group of Christians I've ever came in contact with. Their Goal is to recover the spirit of the first New Testament Church. Trail blazers you could say on the road to God's destiny for all Christians. They have developed a system which brings them comfort and I am sure glorifies The Lord. Their emphases however does not seem to include, at least in terms I am familiar with, a teaching of the spiritual position in Christ which they and all Christians are contained in; yet they possess great joy, purpose and accomplish a sweet end, in nurturing others in Christ and bringing many to faith in our Lord. And in fact are raising up a army of well schooled disciples.

      Charles Dickens once said; "a wonderful fact to reflect upon is that every human creature is so constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other". At lest until that secret is given to another I might add. I must not contend with God in my deep desire for all to know the joy of positional truth, as He knows the deepest parts of us all, the secrets we hold are reveled to Him. The mind of our fellows is indeed a mystery. But all brothers and sisters are on the same road together. Sure I wish they would only see it my way. But The Father knows all the ins and outs, the conditions that prevail and control and He has the outcome already completed in His vision for us. We will all be used; God has always raised up a guiding light. It is only much later that we realize the profound power of a individuals contribution in the affairs of our Lord; as with Luther, Darby, Nee and I am sure many others whom we are not even aware of, regardless of their doctrinal depth. Just who is He using now? While I am sure there are special souls waiting in the wings, I would like to think the answer is all Christians. He will have us conformed into the image of His Son. And He needs all of us to do it. We are His Church and all collectively the bride of Christ. Surely the Bride would not be allowed to enter the wedding chamber unprepared to please her husband. The father know this and we can rest in the assurance our hearts and minds are being made ready. Often it just doesn't seem so. But that's another story. Never the less He uses all things for His Glory and all of our life is involved.

      I have come to realize Paul's advise to Timothy was very good. To not entangle himself with the affairs of this life, 2 Tim. 2:4. So I must let go also. The Father has a unique plan for each one. Mr Stoney elaborated on this very subject in my morning devotional today, which I will gladly use here in my own paraphrase. "The secret to know our personal calling is to not look to others, but simply walk in close fellowship with The Father. We must go forward in individual faithfulness. The effort to drag others to some understanding just holds us back. Its far better to perhaps gain a few along the way rather than search for a great impact and thereby get a large number who may be halfhearted. We have to learn the Lord for ourselves, that's what will remain. Each one has his own history". My good friends, I have come to learn that by striving to be interested in The Lords interests, I have found a way of life, even a specialty. In that the mission of my life is now being formed.  Even by the help of accepting the mystery that each is so constituted by The Father to be just that my way has been made more clear.