THE LIFE OF FAITH AND THE GLORIOUS CHURCH - 2009
MARCH 12th
THE ATTEMPTED "BURYING" OF FEAR IS A MOST DANGEROUS THING!
1 John 4:18 NASB
The attempted
"burying" of any ground of fear is a most dangerous thing! If we allow
ourselves to be deceived into thinking that we can "exist"
comfortably enough with our fears, THEN because of OUR "maintenance"
of these fears the Evil One is able to maintain "control" over our
movements because we have to do - or not do - certain things to avoid those
fears. What this means is that in a critical moment Satan and his forces will
still be enabled to "move" us in a direction that is not of God and,
thus, hinder and prevent us being in the right place at the right time, doing
the righteous [obedient] thing - all because of our fears. I experienced this
"cycle" for years, and it wasn't until I made the "quality
decision" to confront any and all fear that I was finally able to
experience true liberty - in and by the power of the Holy Spirit. I began my
walk still seeking my earthly father's approval, and it was many years before I
"allowed" the Father to bring me to the place wherein my acceptance
and approval are found only in Him.
PERFECT
OBEDIENCE WILL BRING ABOUT THE "NECESSARY" CONFRONTATION OF ANY
GROUND OF FEAR IN THE HEART OF THE BELIEVER
Perfect obedience on the
part of the believer will bring about the "necessary confrontation" -
that is, the confrontation necessary for the Father to deal with our deepest
fears, and replace that area in our heart with His perfect love - the love that
will both heal us and sustain us in, and through, ALL things. When the child of
God is faithful to place ALL of their trust upon the Father and His Word they
will most certainly experience a measure of acceptance and approval from
"flesh and blood" [divine favour], but only from those whose hearts
are towards God [whether in the "world" or in the Body of Christ]. If
another child of God is retaining any element of "self-desire" [which
always translates into a "mental" ascension of God's will [Word] -
then those abiding in perfect obedience will experience [EVERY TIME!] their
disapproval and unacceptance in some form - for quite simply put the
"flesh" is at enmity [opposites] with that which proceeds forth from
the Holy Spirit. The words spoken or actions of the obedient one will always
threaten any element of self-desire and self-agenda - and, because of these
things, the obedient one must either continue on their course [casting aside
the seeking after the approval and acceptance of those in disobedience] or they
must compromise their own obedience to set themselves in agreement with those
in rebellion and disobedience to the will of God. Now you can see clearly why
we must FIRST find ALL of our approval and acceptance from the Father. For to
hold to any of these things ourselves - by placing "flesh and blood"
before the Word [Will] of God - constitutes "idolatry", and will
surely bring about a "shipwreck" of our faith, and cause us to fall
short of the highest and most holy purposes of God concerning our own lives
[and the lives of all those with whom we have to do]. Let us be those who are
found pursuing the Will of God ABOVE ALL ELSE in these days. For it is only
from this holy position that one will be found rising above [overcoming] the
vile schemes of the Enemy [against all those whose hearts are wholly given to
God] and enter into the perfect liberty that is theirs, in Christ.
Related
Scriptures: Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 3:17;
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