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Yesterday we looked at Paul’s warning to take personal inventory of our spiritual condition, “take heed” and discipline ourselves so that erosion does not slowly lead to failure. Today, I want to point us to several activities we can do that will help stop and prevent spiritual erosion.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” (Jude 20–21). Let’s take each of these points separately so we can learn from what Jude is saying: · “Building yourselves up” means that you are intentionally pursuing things of eternal spiritual value. At the top of this list of essentials should be reading God’s Word and spending time alone with Jesus (Psalm 119:11; Mark 1:35). · Prayer can easily become a ritual rather than a time of real fellowship with the Lord. “Praying in the Holy Spirit” is allowing the Spirit to guide your prayer so it is according to the will of God (Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14). · The Spirit is essential for “keeping yourselves in the love of God” since He is the One who has “poured into our heart through the Holy Spirit” God’s love (Romans 5:5). This assurance puts every other situation in life in its proper perspective. · Most of us have difficulty “waiting for the mercy of our Lord”. Endurance, patience and standing firm in the Lord will help prevent erosion of spiritual stamina. Paul uses these words often to strengthen those who might want to give up (1 Corinthians 16:13). The Lord will not fail to provide mercy in difficult circumstances and finally deliver us to glory. Stop, and prevent spiritual erosion by actively giving yourself to God’s working in you by the Spirit.
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When we lived near San Francisco, California, our home was only two blocks from the cliffs on the ocean beach. Every year storms came through that caused erosion of these cliffs. Many homes had been built on these cliffs which had spectacular views. As the years went by, some beautiful homes crumbled into the ocean, as well as the roads that went down the coast, because of the gradual erosion that took place over the years.
Erosion of the spiritual temple in our souls can also be worn away by ungodly pressures, culture and bad habits we allow to influence us. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul gives the example of Israel who turned to idolatry and grumbling that caused their “destruction” (10:10). He uses this example to give the warning; “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (10:12). I am sure that many who bought those homes with a beautiful view, never anticipated their homes crashing into the ocean. Likewise, the most dangerous place we can be in as a Christian is thinking we are doing well and need nothing (Revelation 3:17). You may not realize that erosion has taken a serious toll on your mind and heart. It happens slowly, almost without our noticing. Because of this serious danger, Paul says, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Remember, erosion is a slow process in the soul that usually is only recognized by those who spiritually care for you. Let them speak truth into your conscience to stop the erosion and start rebuilding. We come back to the Scripture we looked at yesterday to examine the second trait that Diotrephes failed in--recognizing and submitting to God ordained authority. “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes…does not acknowledge our authority” (3 John 9).
Notice that I have referred to this authority as “God-ordained” as opposed to ‘authority imposed by man’. There is a big difference. It is very clear throughout Scripture that God gave authority to certain individuals to carry out His will: · The twelve disciples – Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1 · Rulers and governments – John 19:10-11; Romans 13:1-2 · Husband and wife – 1 Corinthians 7:4 · Parents – Ephesians 6:1-3 · Ministers of the Gospel – Titus 2:15 · Leaders and shepherds in the church – Hebrews 13:17 For Diotrephes to not acknowledge authority in the apostles was to invite failure in his ministry. That coupled with “putting himself first” was a disaster. We must remember that God places authority in certain individuals for our protection. Submitting to that authority will bring blessing and deeper understanding of God’s way in our lives, even if we do not understand the wisdom behind the authority. If you are resisting authority in someone where God has placed it, you are resisting God and His plan. Put aside your fears, submit to God, and you will see growth and victory in your life. In reading Paul’s last three letters (First Timothy, Titus, and Second Timothy), James, Peter, John and Jude, it is evident that there were leaders whose ungodly ways were having a very destructive effect on the church. One of these men was Diotrephes.
John identifies very serious flaws in this man; “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first” (3 John 9), is something we need to carefully consider. Putting ourselves first is just the opposite characteristic from the teaching of Jesus to His disciples; “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”” (Mark 9:35, also Matthew 20:26-27). John the Baptist and Paul set an example in this lowly character. “He (Jesus) must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30). “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:9). In the context of Jesus’ example as a humble servant, Paul tells us; “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3–4). I find this very testing, but it keeps who I am and what I do in the right perspective! “Before [Moses] was qualified to lead God’s people out of Egyptian bondage, he had to undertake postgraduate training. For forty years he had enjoyed luxurious living in a palace and education in Egypt’s famous university. He was “educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds” (Acts 7:22). But God’s plan for him was the leadership of a nation of slaves. For that, further preparation was needed, the time in a bleak, barren desert.
In the unhurried solitude of his enforced isolation, he had abundant time to cultivate intimacy with God. Up until his desert experience, Moses had been an activist. Now he had to master a lesson very difficult to an activist – that being is more important than doing.” (1) This lesson is vital to a spiritually strong constitution that can handle adversity and testing circumstances. Let’s not short-circuit the lessons only learned in the desert with God that will prepare you for effective leadership. (1) J. Oswald Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy with God, Discovery House, 2000, page 108-109. “Before [Moses] was qualified to lead God’s people out of Egyptian bondage, he had to undertake postgraduate training. For forty years he had enjoyed luxurious living in a palace and education in Egypt’s famous university. He was “educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds” (Acts 7:22). But God’s plan for him was the leadership of a nation of slaves. For that, further preparation was needed, the time in a bleak, barren desert.
In the unhurried solitude of his enforced isolation, he had abundant time to cultivate intimacy with God. Up until his desert experience, Moses had been an activist. Now he had to master a lesson very difficult to an activist – that being is more important than doing.” (1) This lesson is vital to a spiritually strong constitution that can handle adversity and testing circumstances. Let’s not short-circuit the lessons only learned in the desert with God that will prepare you for effective leadership. (1) J. Oswald Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy with God, Discovery House, 2000, page 108-109. That title may seem contradictory in human terms. But, this statement refers to something far greater than what is experienced in a strictly human sense. Paul is drawing a comparison between what we experience in this world and what we know in Christ. Notice the contrast in the following verses from Romans 8.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (8:35). “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (8:37–39). Paul wrote these verses out of personal experience. As a messenger of the gospel to both Jew and Greek, he had suffered more than most of us could ever imagine. At the same time, Paul knew that in Christ, all things he faced were as ‘conquered foes’! The love of Christ toward us and in us can never be moved! We are complete in HIM (Ephesians 2:5-7)! Let the Holy Spirit fix you heart on this truth and provide fresh hope in whatever you face, now or in the future, so that you can say with Paul, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” It is an absolute necessity that we allow Scripture to inform our thinking and emotions. The world has been so badly deceived, that any thought of God being greater than everything is outside any of their thinking. It is no wonder the world is in chaos and people live in fear and uncertainty.
The Bible alone gives us an anchor for our souls, minds and hearts. As Paul very carefully explains the gospel in Romans, chapters 1 to 8, he comes to a conclusion that reminds us of how awesome God is. Paul starts his conclusion by asking two questions; “What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). How would you answer? The tremendous impact of God’s grace in the gospel, particularly outlined in chapters 3 to 8 prove that salvation of the soul from eternal loss does not come from anything we have done. Eternal life is a gift of God (3:24; 5:15-17). We are justified (made righteous before God) by grace through faith (3:24-30; 5:1). As a result of this act of God, we have peace with Him (5:1) and are now reconciled (5:11) into a personal relationship as His sons (8:14). Now, how would you answer Paul’s questions above? There is nothing we can do in payment, except to REST in Christ (Hebrews 4:11) and offer praise from our lips and lives (13:15). Stand therefore in this security knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:37-39). Yesterday we again rejoiced knowing that Jesus intercedes (prays) for us even though we are not giving a thought to our own need. That is AMAZING GRACE! Now, I want us to look at Jesus as our “Advocate”. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1).
This is the only place in the New Testament that this title is used in connection with our Savior. This word “advocate, parakletos” means: “one who may be called upon to provide help or assistance – helper, counselor”. In addition to the fact that Jesus is always praying for us, He is also standing ready to assist, help and counsel, at a moments notice. While the context of the verse is in relation to sin that may affect our lives and communion with the Lord, it also reveals that He is always ready to work for our defense. He is very interested in giving the help we need “so that you may not sin”. There is never a moment that Jesus will not come to our aid if we ask. The greatest hindrance to our receiving help from Him is that we do not humbly ask. Paul says that when we are tempted, God “will also provide the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Seeking the help of our Advocate is the way of escape, no matter what we face. You may be in a difficult situation as you read this blog. Will you take a moment right now and ask the Lord Jesus, our Advocate, to speak to your heart through His Word with wisdom, comfort, counsel and correction, if needed. He will not fail to answer any earnest prayer that is truly seeking Him. There are times that either God places us in very difficult and trying circumstances, or He allows us to choose a path that is very testing. In both, we need to know and understand what God in Christ is doing for us. Here are three Scriptures that will put this in perspective:
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). “Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24). I can’t think of any higher comfort or stronger motivation than to know that Jesus is praying for me in my hour of need. You may be facing something extremely difficult and challenging. Let this truth become rest to your soul, strength to your mind, and resolve to your heart to press on with Christ before you (Philippians 3:13-15). |
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