|
|
| How to Respond to Adversity The Christian life cycle Galatians 5:22 
Success has been defined as When preparation meets opportunity. What defines success in the Christian life? "Because, you have set your love upon me, therefore, will I deliver you: I will set you on high, because you have known my name. You will call upon me, and I will answer you: I will be with you in trouble; I will deliver you and honor you. With long life will I satisfy you, and show you my salvation." Psalm 91:14-16
To show us his salvation predisposes that we are in a position that requires us to be saved. There is a cycle of life that goes from preperation to trouble, to relief, to trouble, to more preparation, again. The next time that you're in any trouble, simply say, "God is preparing to show me his great salvation." The Apostle Paul writes to us about the Christian life cycle in Galatians 5:22 - "The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law."
The plan of the Holy Spirit is to bring forth the fruit of righteousness in our life, and he does that through our life experiences. "Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised, thereby." (Hebrews 12:11) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Ro 8:28) ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Ro 8:29)
Release our weakness to him and be filled with his power. First he prepares us and then he tests us (to expose our weaknesses), and then he prepares us again, to test us again, to teach us to release our weakness to him and be filled with his power. (Acts 1:8) Learn the process: preparation, testing, evaluation, preparation, opportunity to repent, release, and be renewed and strengthened. 2Co 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
When we face another (or the same) trial, over again, we have opportunity to die to self and let God resolve the issue or go through it, with our own inability and weakness, until we become, so, weary that we give up. Life is a funnel, each calamity directing us toward God and his great provision. The products of pride: rebellion, self-indulgence, self-dependency, and self-determination, prevent us from receiving his help. Isa 45:7 "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil (calamity): I the LORD do all these things." Pr 13:15 ¶ Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
So, when we look at Paul's description of the fruit of the Holy Spirit's labor of love, in us, it is divided into preparing and testing:
Preparation - Love - relationship precedes help.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Ne 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Pr 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Testing - Mouth : gentle communication, as becomes the gospel.
Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Ps 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. 1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Mr 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. [24] Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. [7] For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. [9] Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. [11] Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? [12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. [13] ¶ Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. Pr 18:21 ¶ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- Action : doers of the word and not hears, only.
Mt 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Jas 2:7 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith,and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. [19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Mr 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in (of ) God. Ro 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Evaluation - Will : denying self. (Luke 9:23)
Lu 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Mt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
1Jo 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever.
- Obedience: compliance is better than good works.
1 Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There has no trial given you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tested above that you are able: but will with the trial, also, make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it." 2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
It is his purpose to bring you to an expected end. That end is to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Ps 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. 2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
It is not the desire of any parent to chasten their children; however, it is an unpleasant task that must be accomplished if the child is to learn discipline. Pr 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: [6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? [8] But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. [9] Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? [10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. [11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
There is peace (freedom from fear) in being in right standing with God. Even in the natural, children feel safer around parents who love them enough to discipline them. I have seen it over and over, again, in my own children and in the children of others. When the child receives corporal punishment for their misdeeds followed by expressions of love, affection, and forgiveness, the relationship between parent and child is enhanced significantly. This does not work on adolescents, as well as, little children. Small children are forming their intellect; however, adolescent children have their intellect and must be dealt with on an intellectual level. Therefore, God deals with us, as with children, lovingly waiting for our return to him, after our discipline is accomplished. Does this seem to be cruel? It has the benefit of exposing our inner man, whether rebellious or compliant. As stated earlier, the life of the rebellious is hard; but the compliant have hope in God. The rebellious cannot live with God; neither can they benefit at his hand. However, the compliant are blessed forever more. Mt 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Romans 1:17 -"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith."
Therefore, the chastisement that, on the surface seems cruel, produces eternal fruit of great value: Life Holiness Righteousness
Conversely, the "freedom" to do mischief without corporal punishment seems loving, tolerant, and forgiving; but yields the wicked fruit of rebellion. So, it is written: Pr 13:24 ¶ He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
As a believer, you are "Under Construction", so, let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and entire lacking nothing. (James 1:5), that the chastening of the Lord may yield, in you: life, holiness, and the peacable fruit of righteousness, without the hardship of a transgressor. WHEN WE FAIL TO RESPOND TO HIS LEADERSHIP: Hebrews 12:6 "Whom the Lord loves he chastens and scourges every son whom he receives." God is methodical in his loving correction: 1. If we are willing, he will : instruct us in righteousness that we may prosper.
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Lu 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Pr 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment [21] That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
2. If we begin to loose interest, he will :rebuke us in patience and hope, with a psychological reprimand. Our separation from the will of God is where we experience guilt. God wants us to agree together with him about sin in our lives. When there is agreement there is power to over come thoses sins and walk in the victory, forgiveness, and purity of a relationship with Jesus, without shame.
Re 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Ro 8:31,37 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
3. If we distance ourselves from him, he will :chastise us with frustration and physical loss.
1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. Ge 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. [7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. Jer 1:17 Be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. Jon 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. [4] ¶ But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Ac 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
4. If we rebel against him, he will :punish us with a broken heart and physical injury.
Mt 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! [38] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Ac 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. [9] Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. [10] Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. What can we say to all of this training, correction, and instruction? God so loved us that he takes a personal interest in us that we might live with him forever, without fear, humiliation, or loss. Re 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Ps 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. [9] He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. [10] He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. [11] For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. [12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. [13] Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Be blessed by it. - Dennis Evans | |
|
|