STANDING FIRM

Date: Sat Feb 3 09:36:10 2007

We live in a time where people are not standing firm in God. They readily listen to the voice of the one who seeks to deceive and separate us from the love of God. So often, after revivals, Satan seems to work overtime to bring people into confusion, ignoring the important, and majoring on minors.

Why is it so easy to deviate? Why is deception so often swallowed whole? Why are teachings so diametrically opposite to the scripture uncritically accepted. The answer is easy. Most Christians are not satisfied with their own relationship with Christ, and are seeking more. Anything that would appear to bring that is accepted, regardless of whether or not it is scriptural and whether or not it is of God

In times past, people added rule after rule; now they add doctrine after doctrine, practice after practice, new ideas after new idea. What sounds like a deeper life is often a deep deception and a pit very difficult to get out of. You see, once something new is embraced, pride often enters the picture and the person believes they are losing something of themselves in giving it up. They are firmly in bondage.

Of course, the best course is never to get in these bondages in the first place. The next best course is that if you have been enslaved, allow Christ to free you. Jesus Christ wants you to be free indeed!

What are these bondages? They are many, and no list can be complete. Here are just a few for starters, but be aware that there are many others.

Man-made rules which are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Carnal decision making instead of reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Worldy criteria for success - outward appearances rather than the condition of the heart.

Lying rather than acknowledging God's truth in every situation.

Loyalty to men above loyalty to God - believing oratory as opposed to believing God's Holy Counsel.

Romans 8:15-17 - "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery (bondage) to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry 'Abba, Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Fear does not come from the Holy Spirit - it is a spirit of fear from the evil one. The Holy Spiirt is a Spirit who brings adoption and relationship with our Father. If we are yokefellows of Jesus Christ, we will not be in bondage, but in his freedom. The harness of the Lord will enable us to do the work of the kingdom as our Lord, the suffering servant, showed the way. We will be enabled to please God by suffering with Christ. All the while, we are in relationship with the Father, and we excitedly communicate with him our deepest desires and needs. Our God shall supply all our needs according to his riches through Christ Jesus.