Near...

 "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." — James 4:8

How much plainer can the Father make it clear to us all that He loves us and wants to walk with us? The other side to this is how we answer His call. Do we draw near? Do we keep Him at arms length? Why do we do either?

Bottom line is 'in our court' - what kind of relationship are we seeking to build? Just as in any relationship - it's as you spend time with and get to know the other person you begin to build on what you know. Have you ever stopped a relationship from growing? Or been the recipient of another person's stopping the relationship a kind of line in sand which says this far but no further? When you've been stopped, how does that make you feel? Let me use another analogy... have you ever loved someone but it isn't reciprocated? Or maybe they've stopped spending time with you or whatever happened - there no longer is that closeness that once characterized your relationship.

You can see where I'm going - yes? Do we do this to our Triune God? Have we stopped growing together? But does God really want to be in relationship with His creation? Scripture says:

Revelation 3:20  

   "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."

Zephaniah 3:17   

   "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing."

Matthew 11:28-29  

   "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

John 3:16-17  

   “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him."

Romans 5:8   

   "But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

And that is only a small smattering of verses that tell of the Lord's desire to be in relationship with us. For me, John 3 and Romans 5 are the strongest statements about what God wants. And yes, it is always our choice. If we only turn to the Lord when we want something or are in crisis what message are we sending to Him? Is it - 'I only want you when I want you'? It certainly sounds like that.

If you only turn to the Lord with your hand out, wanting or needing something, that's a 'user' relationship. Do you really want to say that? You have so much waiting for you when you ask for and seek a deeper relationship... you will be astounded. All you really need do is to - draw near. He is always waiting for us to turn to Him, because of, for just Him.

Perfect, Perfection

Do you know what you mean when you use the word? Is it a vague, ‘universal’- everyone knows the definition - approach? Because I can guarantee you that the varieties of uses and expressions are innumerable. We have a vast array of 'everyone knows' words that are far from having the same definition and application. If you aren't careful you may find yourself far from where you intended or even wanted simply because you acted on a 'universal' definition. Perfect, Perfection falls into that category. 

Read how Paul views this:

   "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you." [Philippians 3: 12-15]

Did you know/realize that there are those who will not attempt a (challenge, opportunity, growth, etc.) because they know they can't do it perfectly!? Does that make sense? Do you think that God is waiting for us to get to this undefined, unknown level of perfection before we act? Does that make any sense? Just as a newborn baby doesn't act, speak as an adult the day of birth - so are we. When we accept Jesus as Lord, we do not have everything together and understood. We too are in a process.

   "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." — Isaiah 43:19

Now... questions. Do we see a way in our wilderness or deserts? If we feel we've gain the 'perfect' status - how would we view this? Or if our eyes are only on becoming our definition of perfect, will we understand the 'new thing' the Lord's doing? To drum my drum - becoming is the point. Perfection is not possible, especially apart from the Lord. 

Matthew 5:48 RSV

 

   "You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

But in the Amplified it says:

   "You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Message says it a bit more blunt:

   “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

I would argue that the 'must be' in the RSV (and most versions) is misunderstood as a 'you better be' or 'this is now who you are and this better be how you act' - both wrong. Perfection can be a goal but it definitely is a process. Fortunately we have the Amplified and Message that gives us greater understanding about how our Triune God looks at perfect and perfection.

If, after every failure to actually be perfect, you feel you've once again failed the Lord. Begin to look at those times as object lessons, learning about what does and isn't who you are and what 'perfect' is. Which leads to... how do you think the Lord defines - perfect, perfection?

Fought the good fight?

Paul tells us:

   "I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing." [2 Timothy 4: 7-8]

Have any of us fought the good/worthy/noble fight? Have we finished our race? Have we kept the faith? Don't look at what awaits us if we do, look at what is expected of us. Similar to the above, Paul in 1 Timothy 6:11-12 says:

   "But as for you, O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses."

Obviously this was very important to Paul. And I believe it should be for us too. HOWEVER, do not compare! Do I need say that again? Are each of our battles the same? Maybe the same topic but with the same ferociousness, the same intensity? Are all of our battles handled in exactly the same way? I don't think so because I don't believe that God creates us as clones. Again, the issues may be the same but the how of getting there and getting out... is that really the same?

Look at how Paul phrases this same thought in Philippians 3: 12-15

   "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you."

The only problem with that last sentence is that WE have to listen. Relationship is never one-sided! Relationship means both involved. Now look at all the Father has done for you... even to the extreme point of sending His only Son to be your/our propitiation so that we can be reconciled. 

Look at that word - reconciled. Do you think you could be reconciled without the Father initiating it? I sometimes think that some of the fights we face are with ourselves. I appreciate that all of the gifts the Father bestows on us is sometimes overwhelming but in these cases... why fight? There is enough we have to fight (not the least of which is ourselves) that we should focus on what - and who - we are fighting.

When you consider everything you have: armor, weapons, God... why do we hesitate? Aaaa the the fight for ourselves? But if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord, then you have everything you need to fight for yourself. If you have the old man still in charge, remember the scripture that tells us take off the old and put on the new (Ephesians 2:22-24). If we couldn't put on the new, then we wouldn't be told to do this. I'm not saying this is easy... the old is ingrained. So that's why we need to renew our minds - this is part of the fight.

   "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground..." [Ephesians 6: 12-14a]

We do struggle, we sometimes fail, but we can once again stand and take the fight to the right enemy.

 

A Changed Life

Have you met the Lord? Do you know Him? Have you allowed Him into your life so that you do live a changed life? Let's be honest with ourselves, not many of us have the ability to change... at least not graciously. I know people who will studiously avoid change - even when it's to their benefit. It's almost like the old phrase, 'the devil you know'. Never made much sense, then again if change is something to be 'feared' then the easiest path is to maintain rather than change.

When it comes to us, our lives, especially our spiritual life - change is the way we grow. Remember the suggestions of WE put off the old man and put on the new... WE renew our minds... WE become transformed, changed. BUT, this is not done TO us, it's something we are involved in, embrace

   "... that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]." [Ephesians 4:22-24]

That's the exchange. And it never done apart from our choosing this. A changed life is a demonstration, witness of a relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords - with Jesus who willingly died and rose again so that He is the first among many brethren (Romans 8:29) that in our acceptance of His free gift of salvation/born again/new life we can become part of the Father's family. Apart from accepting Jesus' gift we are lost, we can never be good enough - it took a spotless lamb, a man who chose to be our substitute. 

On the face of it, it would seem that a belief in the Savior of the world would be a no-brainer. Yet it is. Our atonement as a gift for eternal life with the Creator of the world will always be astonishing. Perhaps it's fear of what we'd have to give up? Giving up what Solomon called vanities, things that have no meaning in exchange for everything that does. 

A changed life isn't something that's thrust upon us, being saved doesn't mean we become robots. We were created with a mind and free will which would seem to debunk the idea that we become mindless nothings. We are invited into the Father's Business (2 Timothy 4:2). We don't do the saving, we do the prep work of demonstrating how our lives changed because of our acceptance of a gift. We use both words and actions that give 'proof'. 

Also, a changed life doesn't occur overnight. It takes time, study, activities, growth... it means applying ourselves, it means putting off the old and putting on the new (BOTH need to occur). But this isn't an alone and arduous journey. With you constantly is our Triune God - helping, directing, leading, teaching - but it is always up to us to take the time to let the Lord's hand rest upon us. In all this remember Paul's words:

   " I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you." [Philippians 3:14-15]

Be pleased about but never complacent about your changed life. If it took Paul all the time he needed... we'll need time too. Besides... it's more of a process than a destination.