Part XXVII:

The Promise, the Problem, and Uncertainty

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For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ. And so through him the Amen is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

~2 Corinthians 1:20-22

After lunch Alex took Sarah around both neighborhoods and gave her a brief history of each. They decided towalk and as they came across others Alex would periodically stop and introduce her.

"It's really nice here," Sarah noted.

"It is. We have our challenges and sometimes things can get out of hand but that's a part of the process of growing up, making mistakes along the way. The key is to learn from our mistakes so we don't stunt our growth. It would really help if Christians can really start seeing each other as a family, even if a dysfunctional one. For instance, we wouldn't expect an infant or teen to have the level of understanding an adult has, or perform like them, but we often do with spiritual children. Child rearing can be messy yet so rewarding when it is a labor of love."

Sarah was impressed. "That's a great wayof seeing things. It does take on a new level as family that labors in love."

Alex continued, "Exactly. Doesn't mean we don't address what needs to be addressed. Communication is important and helps foster understanding, although even then it may be a matter of discerning the right time."

"Oh yes, I know this to be true by personal experience," she agreed sheepishly.

Alex then asked, "So you grew up with four brothers? I grew up with three younger sisters. I always felt quite protective of them."

Sarah could see that about him. He seemed to be protective of women, a Godly attribute in her eyes. Sarah then shared, "I'm the youngest. Do your sisters live here?"

"No, my youngest did but she moved away after getting married. I do miss them."

"I know what you mean. Two of my brothers are married and although we still get together, they have their families now. The other two live out of state."

Alex decided to continue the conversation on a more personal level. "So Sarah, tell me more about yourself? What does Sarah likes to do on her time off?"

"My time off? Let's see...well there's reading and cycling...I enjoy a good movie. Then there's attending art festivals and outdoor music concerts. I also enjoy eating out too. How about you?"

"My job keeps me pretty busy but I really do enjoy serving others. Alex then raised his brows for emphasis as he continued, "Then there's food and football, although the things you mentioned are also nice and I enjoy them too."

Sarah laughed, "Food, sports, and men seem to go hand-in-hand."

"Yes, it doesn't take too much to keep us happy in that regard. Sports is also a good outlet and a way we tend to bond with other men."

Sarah nodded, then continued, "Lately I've just really wanted to concentrate on the Lord and my walk with Him. Alex, you're very blessed to have a job you really enjoy. I work as a mortgage broker but it isn't very fulfilling anymore. My job keeps me at a desk and I want to be more involved. I know I can serve and be an example where I am at, I just find myself yearning for more...am I making any sense?"

"Sure. As I said, I used to be a police officer. To Protect and Serve is our motto so in many ways it was very fulfilling for a season. My position also helped me to see in a real way how the law operates in our lives. Not too long into the job I began to see its limitations as I witnessed an astounding number of repeat offenders. It became a revolving door for them. I then found myself wanting to help others at a deeper level. Eventually I left the work and began seeking the Lord about this new desire and his direction, and now here I am. Sarah, we are constantly evolving in the Lord so what may be fulfilling in one season isn't necessarily fulfilling in another. Sounds like you may be ready to move on."

"That is exactly how I felt on the first day we met. I woke up that morning feeling it was a new season and wanting to dive into it, and then I found myself here, but tell me Alex, what you learned about the law? That's a topic that has been much debated. Some say it isn't applicable nowadays and some say it is. You said before that when it comes to application we are to be living in the new. I understand that to a degree but is the law really not applicable today?"

"Sarah, I like to use the example of police officers when speaking of the law for they are the authoritarians of criminal law. With that in mind I ask you, do we still need cops in our society today?"

"I would have to say the obvious answer is yes. Crime is still a problem in society and we still need their protection and service."

"And would you say there is a difference between a crime and a criminal?"

"Sure, a crime is the act of breaking the law and a criminal is someone who repeatedly engages in the act. Guess you can say it has become his nature."

"Pretty simple yes?"

"Yes, but I know you are heading somewhere with this line of questioning."

"And so I am. We were created for Jesus, to be married to Him by his Spirit, two-as-one in holy matrimony. Our Heavenly Father promised to do what we cannot do; to give us a new heart and transform us into his likeness through the promised Child. It is accomplished from beginning to end by grace through faith in Jesus. We weren't created for the law or to serve it, but it for us and to serve us. As Jesus said regarding the Sabbath, its purpose is to serve us, not for us to serve it, and so it is with the rest of God's law. Galatians 3 tells us the law was a temporary addition to Father's promise until we enter in by grace through faith in Jesus. Are you following me so far?"

"The promise, you're right! Yes, do continue."

"When man fell his spirit met with death and withhis soultaking the driver's seat, lt hasledhim by the lusts of the flesh to quench its hunger and thirst. In co-death with Christ our carnal nature meets with death and by the Lord's Spirit man is recreated and resurrected to new life in Christ. Man is now equipped to follow after his Spirit and find nourishment for his soul in his intimate relationship with God. The bible tells us that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. Now let's take it from the beginning and break it down."

"Ok."

"When Adam and Eve were created they walked around naked, basically they lived open lives with no shame. After the fall man lived in a state of self-awareness and with the seeds of sin within him his nature became sinful. He's a criminal ruled by the lusts of the flesh and pride in his own accomplishments. This criminal is guilty of rebellion against God. We can say he's a glutton that lives to satisfy his own soul, or emotional aspect of himself, by the lusts of the flesh instead of finding his fulfillment and pleasure in his Creator. We were never meant to live in self-awareness. We were created for Jesus, our tree of life; to live in the awareness of God and enjoy Him forever. Even the angels are captivated by the beauty of God's holiness and can't help but sing his praises continuously."

"I love that, Sarah declared in excitement."

"It is awesome when you consider it. You know that feeling you get when you are privileged to witness something so spectacular and beautiful that you cannot help but express it? Almost hurts to keep it in."

"Yes, I get that way after God reveals something to me. I get so excited and want to share with other believers, Sarah replied still excited. "Then just last night I stepped outside and found myself marveling at the beauty of the moon. It was larger than usual and so bright. My neighbor was also out in her yard so I went over there and we engaged in a conversation about how beautiful it looked and how the Lord was the most incredible artist of all...also sometimes after enjoying a good show I get up and applaud in my appreciation and gratitude."

"Dont forget the marvel of a good meal or a football game," Alex added which made her laugh.

"Of course, God forbid we forget those," she teased, which in turn made him laugh. Alex then went on.

"I like what you said as many times we begin to worship the creation instead of the Creator Himself, Paul speaks of this in Romans 1. There's nothing wrong with appreciating the beauty of creation and finding pleasure and enjoyment out of it, but we must give glory to the Creator of all and foremost find our pleasure and enjoyment in Him."

Lucifer fell when he took his eyes off his Creator and fixed it on himself, then aspired to be like God. In the Garden of Eden the devil tempted man with the same. Man took the bait and met with spiritual death instead. The sad part is that we were already created in the likeness of God and our destiny was to be like Him as children embodied with their Father's essence, but like Jesus we need to know it all comes from our Heavenly Father. When Jesus walked the Earth in his dual role as Son of man he gave us a wonderful example of what it is like to allow our Father to take us into our destiny rather than trying to accomplish it on our own. Satan tried the same lie on Him in an attempt to get him to prematurely act apart from Father and take matters into his own hands." Alex paused for a moment to give Sarah time to take that portion in before continuing.

"Living from the knowledge of good and evil is a life lived apart from God, or being our own gods as we take matters into our own hands, which is no life at all for goodness and holiness only exists with Him. Some people can get all worked up over the word holiness. Those that advocate works see it more as something to be attainted by our good works. The other side see it as something attained from Christ and advocate against works. This is a major problem within the body of Christ as a whole, taking one portion and discarding the other instead of seeing how each piece fits into the heart of God in Christ."

"I've seen that too. Sarah informed him."

"The purity and goodness in holiness is a beautiful gift that believers have been privileged to be embodied with. It is a beautiful essence that comes from Father and delivered to us through his Son Jesus. Just like a flower emits beautiful fragrance from its essence within, holiness springs from our lives found in Christ. It costs our Lord a dear price to give us this priceless gift and we need to treasure and appreciate it."

"Preach it Alex!" Sarah exclaimed in agreement.

Alex laughedin appreciation ofher response before continuing, "That said, there is a place for works, in the natural domain. In the book of James he tells us that faith without works is dead and he gives the example of Abraham following through on his faith in God which completed it. God equips us with his desires and will from within while we work out what has been worked in. We're still responsible for the natural domain while God takes responsibility for the most important part, equipping us from within which gives us the power to live out holy lives. It starts with equipping from within, even so there are other domains to consider...

We have to remember that our flesh is still fallen and our minds need to be renewed by his Word. The scriptures tell us that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. In Second Corinthians Paul refers to our bodies as fragile jars of clay, then goes on to inform us that for now in its present state it serves a valuable purpose, to show us that our power doesn't come from us but from the Lord."

Alex paused again before asking, "Have you ever done something because you knew it was something you needed to do and when you did it you found yourself engaged from within?"

Sarah didn't have to think about it for as he was talking she was reminded of that first day she committed to start riding her bike again. "Why yes, the day I met you. I hadn't gone cycling for several months and wanted to get back into it. As I began I wondered if my legs would hold out for a decent ride. While riding I was pleasantly surprised at all the energy I found myself with, and was really enjoying it again. It also surprised me to see how far I had gone when I hadn't ridden for some time."

"Sarah, that's a great example on how at times we believers can step out knowing what we are called to do and find the Lord engaging us at a deeper level. We don't work for that inner equipping and power that naturally flows from remaining in Christ, but at times we do have to rouse ourselves into action and when we do we can find the Lord engaging us at a deeper level...and if we don't it's probably not something we are called to, at least not there or then, or we are relying more on our own efforts and strength and so we forfeit God's grace.

And we need to allow the Lord to make those deeper connections. We don't want to make those connections on our own, but more on that topic another day..."

Sarah nodded in agreement and Alex continued, "Humanity can engage in good acts equipped with an awakened self-conscience and the law. We are not totally without light even in our fallen state for the light of Christ shines upon humanity while his Spirit is at work restraining evil from fully flourishing, although man needs God's light within him by the Holy Spirit who works through Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the essence of the law, the expression of Father's heart, and the unveiled revelation of Jesus Christ."

Alex paused again as they reached the neighborhood park and he led her to the bleachers where they sat.

"That's great Alex. Some of this I knew but you've added other aspects and dimensions of it that piece it together nicely."

"Well I'm glad you are finding it beneficial Sarah, ready to continue?"

"Yes, please do."

"Dead unto the life of God and his love and our souls now driven by the lusts of the flesh the law was a temporary addition to the promise to help with the dilemma of our fallen nature. Once again, Galatians 3 tells us it became our temporary guide until we came into faith in Jesus. It refers to us as children back then that needed a guardian and teacher. Sort of like how parents become the conscience of their children as they teach them right from wrong for a child's brain and reasoning skills aren't developed enough for him to be trusted on his own. Although in Romans 2 Paul tells us that good and evil are found in the condition of the heart. He went on to say that even those not privileged with God's written law show that they know it when their conscience either condemns them for doing wrong or tells them what they are doing is right."

"Think of it as two jurisdictions. An officer has authority in his assigned jurisdiction, he loses that authority in another. The law's jurisdiction is our old man whose nature is sinful. The law was created to serve us while our sin natured lived and breathed within us giving us affections for the wrong things. The law uncovers him, places him in bondage, and sentences him to death. The law of itself has no power to change the inner man because of the power of his sin nature and the sin nature cannot be changed for it is evil through and through. Its sentence is death."

Alex then asked, "Have you ever found yourself engaged in a behavior that you knew was bad for you but struggled to stop?"

"Yes."

"Did others tell you to stop?"

"Yes, they did."

"And did it help?"

"Sometimes for the moment I would stop but eventually I returned to it. In fact, repeatedly hearing what I already knew sometimes had the opposite effect and made it worse."

"Sarah, knowing what we ought to do doesn't empower us to do it and concentrating on the problem only emphasizes and empowers it with greater strength. Now I ask you Sarah, who was at fault for your behavior?"

"Well I guess that would be me, but it didn't help to constantly hear that I needed to stop when I already knew it was bad for me but felt helpless to quit."

"So you recognize that it wasn't others' fault even if they constantly brought it to your attention which may have made matters worse. Same with the law, the law is good and even though it empowers our sin nature it isn't at fault. Now you mentioned that you felt powerless to overcome, are you telling me you didn't have a choice?"

"Sarah thought it overfor a moment before answering, I don't know Alex. That seems like a cop-out. It also seems to contradict scriptures which repeatedly tell us to choose, the scriptures also speak of personal accountability to God, but that is how I felt, although I know feelings aren't always in line with the truth."

"True, even so they have some merit in revealing our condition and what we believe at heart which has become truth to us.If youwant to know what you really believe at heart considerwhat your automatic response is in any given situation.

You're right to say the scriptures do often speak of choices. The problem is not the choice itself. The problem lies in our power to carry out our good intentions for the long term. In Romans 7 Paul said he loved the law and wanted to do good but there was another power at work within him, the sin nature that won the battle over his mind."

"So its not our fault?"

"Yes and no. We are at fault, but within that major YES is a minor no. We've all been guilty of rebellion against God by our inherited sin nature which continuously draws us to sin, but we do not have the power to change ourselves and overcome where it counts. The bible refers to fallen humanity as slaves to sin. A slave is bound to his master, to carry out his desires at his beck and call. Although, when God draws us to Christ we do have the choice of turning to Him for deliverance from our former lives; to be liberated and equipped with his Spirit who empowers us to live out holy lives. He fills us with the love of God and leads us by that love. It is the love of God alive in our hearts that tears down the idols therein.

Going back to our example, an officer of the law cannot change a criminal but can place him under arrest and show him the futility of his efforts. Imprisonment can help a man reconsider the error of his ways and seek change at a deeper level. We can change our ways by a shift in desires but holy living and righteousness is found within the life of Christ. As we turn to Jesus our old sinful nature meets with death and in death we are divorced from the law who was our former spouse. Additionally, we and born again with God's nature, engaged to Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out the good intentions of his heart within our recreated ones. Engaging in sin is now a choice we can deny as we are no longer obligated to sin and have the power within to overcome...but we will only overcome as we trust in Jesus by whom the Holy Spirit works through our lives.

There's no conflict between the two jurisdictions, they just serve different purposes, the law created for our old carnal nature that follows after the lusts of the flesh, while the Spirit inhabits and directs our new man in Christ by the love of God. There is a difference between committing an act of crime against God, or the act of sinning, and being a criminal, or having a sinful nature. As believers we can commit an act of crime but our new nature is not one of a criminal. We meet with sin and bondage when we allow ourselves to be led by the lusts of the flesh. It becomes an adulterous love affair with our former nature consuming our affections while bringing death to our souls, thus preventing us from entering into the Kingdom of God."

"So we can lose our salvation? That's another topic that has been heavily debated."

"I don't know. What I do know is that we won't enter into the fullness of his life, but He is committed to taking us there. We can rest assured in his faithfulness as we continue in our walk with Him. He can break the bond and destroy our idols by his Spirit as we turn to Him, and as we enter into an intimate relationship with Him we will find nourishment for our thirsty souls and our affections for Him flourishing."

Sarah smiled, "I was beginning to think you knew everything."

Alex laughed at that, "No Sarah, there's still much I need to learn and I don't claim to have it all right, but I do feel good with how it's coming along, not complacent but good."

"Well it has been very helpful to me. I really like the way you can simplify these things. After considering her feelings for him Sarah asked, "How do you know God's will without that uncertainty?"

He smiled and said, "When you figure it out do tell me."

Sarah looked at him in surprise as she asked, "So you feel uncertain too?"

"Oh sure, I've been uncertain about many things. We do long for certainty as it gives us a sense of security but the more I know God and his Word, the more I am convinced that the only certainty we are given is who He is and what He has promised us in Christ. Uncertainty is like having our circumstances shrouded in darkness which can be unpleasant but as we grow in our trust in Him we see it for what it is, a wonderful tool He uses to help us find our security and faith in Him.

You were talking about this larger and brighter view of the moon. I saw it too. Did you happen to witness what it looked like a couples days before that full moon?

"No, no I didnt?"

"It was another spectacular sight, Alex informed her with a sense of wonder and appreciation. The top portion of the moon was shrouded with dark clouds while the bottom portion was brightly shining. I found myself thinking what a wonderful picture it presented of the corporate body of Christ who receives their light from the Son and reflects it. As our surface circumstances are shrouded by the dark clouds of uncertainty, if we will turn to Jesus who is our light we will find his light shining brightly from deep within us which will pierce the darkness surrounding us."

"I'm sorry I missed it, came Sarah's heartfelt response. So basically it is a daily walk of faith as He grows our security and trust in Him rather than our circumstances. Yes, something I knew but needed to be reminded of, and I can also see how uncertainty can be beneficial in his hands."

"Yes Sarah. The Holy Spirit brings the bright light of the revelation of Father's heart that is personified in the life of Jesus.As it enters our inner most being where we become intimately acquainted with Himwe aretransformed from glory to glory as we come to see him as He is. Knowledge alone can't do this. Jesus is the living and breathing Word of God, the light of the World whose essence is found in the Holy Spirit and for our daily walk Jesus told us that as we remain in Him we walk with Him, just like a branch that is dependant on the root for its life-giving sap from which it also bears fruit. A branch doesn't work for fruit, it receives it from the root. Jesus is our root and his Holy Spirit is our life-giving sap that births forth his good fruits of love, joy, peace, long-suffering and other fruits unto life. As we walk with Him we are living in his will and we can ask what we want and He will give it to us. His Spirit need only check us if a personal issue arises with us that needs addressing or if He wants us to head a different route due to the changing climate. Taking from the bible we can see another great example in the book of Acts. The apostles knew what they were called to do and they went and did it empowered by the Holy Spirit, unless of course if God revealed a different route. There are things we know we are called to do too such as feed the poor and defend the helpless for God has revealed his heart in his Word. As we step out in Christ and see the needs around us we can find his Spirit engaging our spirits as He move us with love and compassion like He moved the Lord, but we need to be in tune with his heart as there are many voices competing for our attention. God's ways can't be discerned by the flesh. Peter wanted to prevent the Lord from going to the cross and it seemed admirable enough but Jesus knew it was a humanistic point of view."

"I'm glad you mentioned the humanistic a point of view. A few months back I was also told I was coming from a humanistic view and rebuked," Sarah shared with a note of sadness.

Alex had run across similar things and felt he understood where she was coming from. "As we said during lunch Sarah, right and wrong are found in the condition of our hearts and we can have the right heart intentions and still be wrong overall. We need to be cautious about what we advocate against for everything God made is good, even our humanity. It's the sin nature that tainted it but in Christ we have been given a new nature born of his Spirit. Seeing the human side of things of itself isn't wrong and sharing it can be beneficial. Even Jesus was equipped with understanding our humanity for his role as our Advocate and High Priest, but we shouldn't be led by it. Jesus recognized where Peter was coming from as he looked to steer Him in another direction through this humanistic view. To reference Christ's temptation in the garden again, the enemy spoke portions of truth but it was distorted and evil because it was not grounded in the heart of God. It was intended to trick Jesus into acting prematurely apart from the Father and his will. Many wanted Jesus to take his place as their King, but He knew He was first called to the cross."

"Thank you," Sarah said with deep gratitude. "I suspected as much but you just articulated what I sensed. That helps with understanding."

"That's important Sarah, to listen to that inner voice within. The Holy Spirit gives witness to the truth in our spirits. We shouldn't just buy into our hearts what others tell us for that can lead to all sorts of problems. Instead, we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to us and implant it within us where it will take root and continue to grow. And just because it may not witness to us, it doesn't necessarily mean someone it is wrong so we shouldn't assume that's the case. It may just be a portion that requires more, or something may be amiss with our understanding but it is the Holy Spirit's role to teach us and bring the revelation of Jesus Christ into our hearts, or shall we say God's Word alive in our hearts and carried out in our natural lives."

"And there we go again!" Sarah exclaimed. "Some Christians seem to advocate against teaching as they say the Holy Spirit is our teacher and Jesus did say that we are to call no one teacher but Paul clearly states that one of the offices in the body is that of a teacher...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you with all this all at once, but now that it's coming up I'm curious as to your position on it all."

Alex smiled as he reassured her, "Sarah, it's all right, I'm here to provide help where I can. There are scriptures that do seem to contradict each other but they don't. The fault lies with our understanding and as I said before, it can lead to taking a portion of scripture and advocating against another instead of understand its place in Christ, the whole, and whom the scriptures give testimony to. There is a difference between the office of a teacher and the Holy Spirit who reveals the Word and implants it in our hearts. In that essence, He is our only Teacher, but we still do have the office of a teacher that is a gift to the body given to us by our Lord. We are told that the offices are here until we grow up into the full stature of Christ and we still have some growing up to do."

"Yes, that's what I thought too. This has been very helpful."

Alex was glad. "In short Sarah, and as you mentioned, our walk with the Lord is a daily walk by grace through faith in Him so that we can remain sensitive and in tune with his Spirit. Jesus told us not to concern ourselves about tomorrow for today had its share of challenges. He will provide us with our daily bread. If we try and hoard for the future what is meant for today we can find our manna meeting with spoil. We need fresh Manna from Heaven on a daily basis. I like to call this walk with our Lord "The Dance".

"The Dance," Sarah said to herself aloudas she considered the reference. "I like that."

Encouraged by her continued interest and enthusiasm Alex continued, "Yes, there's a difference between knowing the lyrics to a song and being in tune with the essence of the song found in its melody and rhythm. Likewise there is a difference between knowing the steps in a dance and flowing with the song and the one who leads. The Lord wants to hear the song in our hearts so that He can engage it with the song in his heart and lead us into a beautiful and glorious dance."

Sarah got up and vigorously clapped at that which made him laugh.

You're as curious and enthusiastic as a child. That's good. We shouldn't lose those childlike qualities."

"I feel like Ive just ate at a wonderful buffet."

He laughed again, "Well thank you Sarah, all glory to God who imparts knowledge and understanding to us."

"Amen, thank you Jesus." She sat down again, then after a moment shared, "I haven't done much at all through my last season. I just wanted to rest and be alone with the Lord."

"That's a part of it too, a very important part. It's a different type of work, an inner work. Those seasons of external rest can provide us with necessary equipping and help us attain inner rest in Him. From that place we can be vigorously engaged in external ministry work that will bear his good fruit."

"That sounds like where you are at?" she noted by his comments regarding work.

"I have seen the difference and have grown there, but I'll admit I'm not always coming from that place, yet I try and remain sensitive to his gentle promptings. I still miss it at times with all the activity and it is brought to my attention when it becomes more apparent that I am headed for a crash."

Sarah nodded, then as a beam of enlightening hit her she then exclaimed, "Like our near collision when we first met?!"

"You catch on quickly," he commended, although Alex was feeling more and more that although God may not have engineered the near collision, He may have used it to serve his purposes. He felt had she not entered his life in such a dramatic way, he may have missed her just then as he was so involved in his work.

Alex also noted that even as he attempted to steer the conversation onto personal interests their conversations kept returning to the Lord. He knew foremost they each shared a deep interest in the things of the Lord and were continuously drawn to it.

Their day together didn't give them sufficient time to explore the other neighborhoods in the community so they had decided to leave it for another day while they worked out the details of attending tomorrow's Superbowl party.

"It starts a couple hours before the game, how about if I pick you up about around 4pm."

"Sounds perfect. It gives me plenty of time after church."