"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it."
Isa. 30: 15
It has been a very interesting couple of months. I am often amazed by the twists and turns that life takes. So often I do not see what is coming until I am hit by it. Life is always challenging and fascinating when one walks with God by faith! He works through it all, and I am so thankful I can rest in that truth.
Today I will begin reposting some of my thought concerning spiritual warfare. November is always when I try to begin a writing project. It is also the month when I am most often hit with so much junk. Correlation? Of course there is a correlation! So, if I am going to experience spiritual attack, I might as well post some truth about my enemy and his schemes.
Satan is a liar, a cheat, an accuser of the brethren, a schemer, and the whore of Babylon (this world system). Yet, his lies, his cheating, his accusation, his schemes, and his whoring worldly ways seem so right and good.
Why?
Today I will begin reposting some of my thought concerning spiritual warfare. November is always when I try to begin a writing project. It is also the month when I am most often hit with so much junk. Correlation? Of course there is a correlation! So, if I am going to experience spiritual attack, I might as well post some truth about my enemy and his schemes.
Satan is a liar, a cheat, an accuser of the brethren, a schemer, and the whore of Babylon (this world system). Yet, his lies, his cheating, his accusation, his schemes, and his whoring worldly ways seem so right and good.
Why?
Perhaps the greatest idol of all religion and Western Christianity is our fascination with self. We do not need to be lured by the "world" into a self-centered life because our own flesh does a fine job encouraging it.
The flesh has two distinct and equally deadly forms. The first is outright rebellion against God, and it is marked by a lifestyle that pleases self at every turn. This form of the flesh is defined by the "prodigal" son, who leaves his father's household to pursue "wine, women, and song." (Luke 15: 11-16)
The second form of the flesh is marked by quiet rebellion against God. It also has a lifestyle of pleasing self, but this pleasure is often twisted around religious themes. The form of the flesh is defined by the "elder brother" who stayed home, did his duty, but did not have a heart relationship with his father (Luke 15: 25-32).
Again, both of these forms of the flesh are deadly! Of great concern is how often what is sold as religious teaching can be marked by the second form of the flesh- it panders and encourages our religious self-effort at every turn!
The flesh has two distinct and equally deadly forms. The first is outright rebellion against God, and it is marked by a lifestyle that pleases self at every turn. This form of the flesh is defined by the "prodigal" son, who leaves his father's household to pursue "wine, women, and song." (Luke 15: 11-16)
The second form of the flesh is marked by quiet rebellion against God. It also has a lifestyle of pleasing self, but this pleasure is often twisted around religious themes. The form of the flesh is defined by the "elder brother" who stayed home, did his duty, but did not have a heart relationship with his father (Luke 15: 25-32).
Again, both of these forms of the flesh are deadly! Of great concern is how often what is sold as religious teaching can be marked by the second form of the flesh- it panders and encourages our religious self-effort at every turn!
One test of spiritual truth we should teach in every evangelical church: our life and doctrine must be God-centered, Christ-centered, and dependent upon the Holy Spirit-centered in its thought and application.
In other words, does my faith promote a trust in myself or a dependence upon God? Do my religious thoughts promote authentic humility, which is confident trust in God and despair of self, or do they promote self-effort as a means of growth? These are questions we should constantly ask God as we read His word and pray each day.
In other words, does my faith promote a trust in myself or a dependence upon God? Do my religious thoughts promote authentic humility, which is confident trust in God and despair of self, or do they promote self-effort as a means of growth? These are questions we should constantly ask God as we read His word and pray each day.
In today's passage from Isaiah, we see God's take on self-centered religion as opposed to authentic spirituality. On the one side is Israel rejecting God's ways and running off to Egypt for help against her enemies. To those folks, God declares they will get what they want. They will trust in Egypt and Egypt will fail them.
On the other side is that of authentic spirituality. "In repentance and rest is your salvation." Repentance means crying out to God for help. We have the promise that God "longs to have compassion on us." He will be our teacher if we just repent of our self-effort and rest in Him.
Furthermore, "In quietness and trust is your strength." God is able to save from Israel's enemies. The same promise applies to the believing people of God. Do we believe it?
I have heard it said recently that Christian spirituality believes, "If it is going to be, it is up to me."
Really? Anything lasting and real must come from God and His work. We can trust him and quietly depend upon Him. Such humility is our strength.
I have heard it said recently that Christian spirituality believes, "If it is going to be, it is up to me."
Really? Anything lasting and real must come from God and His work. We can trust him and quietly depend upon Him. Such humility is our strength.
So, how do we do it? How do we "train" ourselves to live this way?
We must actively repent of our self-effort and attempts to control our situation. Such repentance runs contrary to our sinful nature. It seems like death to us! Yet, it is the doorway into true life and into God's power. We actively repent and believe in what God has done and will do. This is resting in and under God's righteousness given to us in Christ. It passively receives Christ's righteousness and power as its own.
I call it active passivity.
We must actively repent of our self-effort and attempts to control our situation. Such repentance runs contrary to our sinful nature. It seems like death to us! Yet, it is the doorway into true life and into God's power. We actively repent and believe in what God has done and will do. This is resting in and under God's righteousness given to us in Christ. It passively receives Christ's righteousness and power as its own.
Do you long for God's reviving hand in your life? Do you wish that God's power would flow through you to engage is authentic spiritual warfare so that you actively participate in bringing about His kingdom? Do you desire to see your friends, family, church, and community changed by the power of God?
The starting point is deep repentance leading to trusting faith. Repent of both forms of the flesh and believe the gospel. Ask that God would reveal your desperate need for grace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rest in His mighty power and love for you and others. Trust in His love and power. Actively quiet yourself before Him. As you do, you will find that you are participating in what God is doing instead of asking Him to bless what you do.
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