Natural Life

"The warfare is not against sin; we can never fight against sin - Jesus Christ conquered that in His redemption of us.The conflict is waged over turning our natural life into a spiritual life. This is never done easily nor does God intend for it to be so." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

It is hard to live a Christ-honoring life in this world. No, that is not a profound statement. But when thoroughly examining the Scriptures, the life of Jesus, and the lives of the people of this world, it is truth. Then again, I don't recall reading in the Bible that it was going to be easy. Ouch. Another bit of truth. And a not-too-popular bit of truth in the world we live in today. A world where every time we turn around we are shown, told, taught how easy life can be. How we can feel good, look good. Even in the pulpit, preachers are spewing out metaphors and cliches, leading you to believe that "If you just believe, you can achieve."

Achieve what? That dream house? That new car? The perfect body, hair, clothes? The ultimate image. Comfort, security.

Hmmm. I must be reading the wrong Bible. My Bible tells me, "It won't be easy but in Christ you can have peace despite your circumstances, troubles or the world." My Bible tells me to press on, living and speaking in truth, though the lives of the disciples testify that this could be a lonely, dangerous walk sometimes. The Word I read tells me that though I am saved by grace alone, I have a responsibility to continually bring my thoughts and actions back in line with the Word of God. To be the hands and feet of Jesus. To study, to pray, to seek, to ask. God does desire to give good things to His children, but it isn't until we align our thinking with His, that we know what to ask for. We serve a mighty God, who is big and very real. He loves us and He provides for us. But sometimes we forget His message when we face each day of our natural life. We want God to spiritually provide what our natural self desires.

When I look outside my front door - wait scratch that - when I turn on my television, listen to what my kids have learned from another child, or open my mail, I am bombarded with the doctrine of this world. God's voice can get lost in all of that, in all my natural self desires to fill up with. How does one fight against forces that pervasive?

By work. By prayer. By diligence.

In a given day, I might have to take my thoughts, desires, actions captive to Christ about 100 times. (And that might be a good day!) I have to seek Him through His Word. I have to surround myself with people who are also trying to seek God and live in a way honoring to Him.

And hardest for me? I have to develop a bit of a thicker skin. That doesn't mean becoming immune to the need and hurt around us - we are charged with the responsibility of getting the truth out there. But it might mean taking an arrow or two for Christ. It might mean standing alone when it seems like the rest of the world, even some of those closest to me are advocating things contrary to my beliefs.

My prayer to God today is that He will help me stand firm in seeking Him alone. His approval matters, the worlds doesn't. And when I feel alone in this walk, in my stand, that He will feel ever more real to me. He will fill my heart, help me discern His Word and quietly whisper through the Spirit. No, that I would hear the Spirit shouting!  That I would abide in my spiritual life and shed dishonoring behaviors, thoughts and actions in my natural life. Even if at times I feel as though I stand alone in a sea of people who oppose my God and His ways, He is worth the fight to be holy.

My question to you today is:
Are you most concerned with what God is or isn't doing for you in your present circumstance?
Or are you determined to be the best you can be for Him in your circumstance; are you committed to looking at this circumstance from your spiritual life for a moment instead of from your natural life?

Too often my answer would be the first. I would dare say, instead, let's live out the latter.