Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Battle

The battle we are all called upon to fight is not external.  Some people spend their time stirring people up to alarm them about carnal security.  They are trying to sell something.  There are fortunes being made by proponents of fear.  But the audience for such things are only being distracted from a much greater, more immediate battle.  Until the internal condition of the individual has been conquered and brought into alignment with heaven, there is no amount of political, social, economic or military security which will matter in the long run.

I think it more advisable to seek for and listen to the Lord, and secondarily those teachers who will convert you to the Lord; rather than any other advice or movement advocated by those promoting causes.  Teachers ought to point to Him.  Not to themselves.  No one but the Lord is coming to rescue you; and no group will be able to overcome error apart from Him.  Ultimately the battle we each face is the Lord's.  We must cooperate with Him for Him to be able to win it.  When He does, however, the victory is ours for we are the ones who He redeems.

The path back to the Lord's presence is an individual one.  It is not likely to be accomplished while in an audience.  There is no "support group" needed.  It is you.  What goes on inside you.  What you love most.  He will one day associate with a group in a city; but that group will be comprised of individuals who have previously met Him.

It surprises me how little discernment there is among those claiming to seek truth.  Many of them will take in ideas from foolish, vain and proud sources with as much enthusiasm as from a true one.  How is it that people cannot tell the difference between them?  Does not a true message sound much different from a false one?  Is merely associating some lesser virtue with a cause enough to have it distract?  What is more plain than the admonishment to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?