We have been looking Honestly at many of the Lures which entice our soul - their purpose, or perceived gain in order that we, the creature, might be comforted instead of “conditioned”. We talked about how Gods love is unconditional; however relationship is conditional~ based on our willingness to BE conditioned ergo ABLE to relate intimately with our creator.
Let’s look a couple of segments from Philippians Chapter 2:
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests(selfish ambition), but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
This attitude was not manifested from man's worldly wisdom – it is PURELY by way of the Holy Spirit enabling God’s wisdom to be revealed unto us: Willing our Soul to give the right of way to God.
Now, let's pause for a moment and make sure we do not simply read the following words, then apply our shallow meanings and say we see. I desire for us to Look and Understand what HE was actually imploring us to grab hold of ,cling to simply because He loves us:
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality(he did not take the advantage) with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
I am sure that this understanding is not new information for most of you. We all have heard that Christ came here in the form of a man to save us from our sins through dying once for everyone, then be raised by the power of God to live eternally cleansed and reign as the Lord of all eternally.
But have you REALLY paused to think what this looks like, acts like and exemplifies? Christ could have regarded His equality and taken advantage of His power while among us; however it was His hearts desire to show us what it looks and acts like to believe that we could empty our self and take on the likeness of Him.
We already discussed how we do not have to die on a cross for others – we simply have to die to self.
God knows we need an example to follow – we are consumed with taking others thoughts, positions, possessions, some even go for the whole identity. Christ comes to us with this preposterous theory of giving good thoughts, positions, possession, even dares to go for giving a whole new identity to people for no other reason than the Love of God.
In Matthew 11:7-19 Christ was talking to a group of people who had come to see John the Baptist. He said that people wanted to SEE something different than what they had in their cities. The kings and leaders who dressed in the “right clothes” even touting the “right words”. They wanted more something that had depth, truth, stability and an outcome which aligned with what they paraded in the sight of the public.
Look at the questions He asked them:
· What did you go out into the wilderness to LOOK AT?
o A reed shaken by the wind?
· But what did you go out to SEE?
o A man dressed in soft clothing – behold those are in Kings Palaces.
· But WHY did you go out?
o To see a prophet – yes I say to you and one who is MORE than a prophet.
Christ is asking them to pause and check their soul. What was their soul lured by? Did they come to LOOK or to SEE? To BEHOLD the real deal or to LOOK AT a masquerade?
This is the same question He asks us every day – every moment – through every encounter we have. He says “Check your self, go slow; pause if you need to. Be sure your motives are PURE.
Matthew 12:33-37 talks to those who desire to “pause and see” saying: If you want more than a king in a palace, in soft clothes, empty on the inside – you have to LOOK by way of what they are producing. They may appear tall, strong and bountiful with much to offer; however SEE what the outcome of their words manifest – that is their “intent”. Look at how they speak, is it careless when it leaves their lips – not showing up as they projected? This is not the manifestation of His fruit. What we will SEE is that their own words condemn the goodness they touted.
What we actually SEE is that they robbed the Holy Spirit of His identity, purpose and rightful glory – all so that THEIR soul could be built up. Christ gave up what was rightfully His so that the Holy Spirit of God could have freedom, liberty and full ability to flow unhindered. All we have to do is decide if WE want to help Him relieve the grieving of the Holy Spirit.
I end with this thought for us all:
God is Love. The Holy Spirit searches the depths of all things even the depths of God / Love. Christ left this harmonious relationship for the sake of unifying ALL things in this Love. The Holy Spirit, for the sake of Unity will fulfill the will of Christ which is to plunder any opposing “strong man”; in order that ALL may have liberty in the home of GOD – and God’s house WILL NOT DIVIDE!
So..Today I ask you to pause and request wisdom, discernment having gratitude for His mercy and grace. Take an honest account of the words you have spoken, the manner in which you have spoken them as well as any ways that you have comforted your soul through justifying your carelessness toward anyone. THEN ask to be forgiven for grieving the Holy Spirit. Ask God to transform your heart in order that He may produce “God Fruit” which is good to enliven others for HIS glory and Name Sake.
For the cause of Love – always in all ways:
Kisses
Candace
©Edited 2011, Candace Huffmaster, All Rights Reserved
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