God has always made a practice of calling people out of the present world and its system and showing them a new and better way – one that leads to everlasting life. But His order and purpose runs counter to human wisdom. His perspective is the whole. He knows the end from the beginning. He works, shapes, molds and creates. He doesn’t fit into human molds. His Kingdom is not of this world. His promises include a future where He will be King of kings and Lord of lords. He has prepared a place – a city foursquare, where there is no night, no sun, no sickness, death, sorrow or pain, no sin, and where the riches of this earth are mere paving stones and building blocks.
This world is in a constant struggle to conform, to press, to force, to extrude your soul into their ideals, through their molds, and into their image. Their image is round, easily diffused. It morphs readily into ever lower forms, its tendency is to seek its lowest level. Blur any thought of breaking out of the mold. Hold the soul hostage to addictions, chains of habit, guilt, shame, traditions of men, and popular opinion. When all else fails, promote procrastination, second guessing and wavering. These are as effective as any physical lock in keeping one running in circles. Just as the physical world is round, so the flesh’s one thought is to conform to its dusty origins... circular, round and round, ever spiraling downward.
On the other hand – that which is born of the Spirit is transformed – into the image of His dear Son. It becomes a new creature. Old things pass away. Behold! All things become new! Now comes a clean slate, a new and lively hope, a new man, a new life, a new future. Called out of darkness, into marvelous light, free from the chains of sin, empowered to live a life of victory and to overcome this present world and all its shimmering illusions. This new man begins to realize he no longer fits into his old life. What you’ve found is worth way more than mere coin of the realm which is round like the world from which it comes. Life takes on new, heavenly shape; prune, purge, crucify – as the old gives way to a new dimension. What He is cutting away would interfere with your fit in the place He has prepared. Everything is different there – different weather, different economy, different shape, different dynamic – nothing of the old rules, the old mindset, the old life carries forward into that City built foursquare.
What’s more, your old life is also aware of the change. Old friends exert pressure. "You’ve changed!" they complain, "You’ve become so square, I don’t know you any more. Come on, loosen up a little!" What you need to know is that it’s a test. They want to know if you’re for real. God wants to help you firm up your confidence and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’ve traded temporary, ephemeral, shadowy things for a substantial foundation and a sure footing – shifting sand for the Rock of Ages – hope in this life only for an everlasting, eternal, lively hope; one that anchors you to that Rock, which is Christ Jesus. He has called you out of a world headed for destruction and given you a new home, a new life, new goals, new purpose, a new way of thinking and living. He’s preparing you for the place He’s already prepared for you! His promise is that He will be with you always and assured you that He has already overcome the world. He also gives you the strength you’ll need so you can overcome it too. Nothing has been left to chance. You can make it... you have His Word on it!
Catch a glimpse of the promise on the horizon. The transformation is taking place even now. You are growing into the image of His resurrection. Just as earthly bonds could not hold Him, so bars of bone will not be able to hold your soul. Very soon now, the trump of God will sound and "the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!" (I John 3:2)
This world is in a constant struggle to conform, to press, to force, to extrude your soul into their ideals, through their molds, and into their image. Their image is round, easily diffused. It morphs readily into ever lower forms, its tendency is to seek its lowest level. Blur any thought of breaking out of the mold. Hold the soul hostage to addictions, chains of habit, guilt, shame, traditions of men, and popular opinion. When all else fails, promote procrastination, second guessing and wavering. These are as effective as any physical lock in keeping one running in circles. Just as the physical world is round, so the flesh’s one thought is to conform to its dusty origins... circular, round and round, ever spiraling downward.
On the other hand – that which is born of the Spirit is transformed – into the image of His dear Son. It becomes a new creature. Old things pass away. Behold! All things become new! Now comes a clean slate, a new and lively hope, a new man, a new life, a new future. Called out of darkness, into marvelous light, free from the chains of sin, empowered to live a life of victory and to overcome this present world and all its shimmering illusions. This new man begins to realize he no longer fits into his old life. What you’ve found is worth way more than mere coin of the realm which is round like the world from which it comes. Life takes on new, heavenly shape; prune, purge, crucify – as the old gives way to a new dimension. What He is cutting away would interfere with your fit in the place He has prepared. Everything is different there – different weather, different economy, different shape, different dynamic – nothing of the old rules, the old mindset, the old life carries forward into that City built foursquare.
What’s more, your old life is also aware of the change. Old friends exert pressure. "You’ve changed!" they complain, "You’ve become so square, I don’t know you any more. Come on, loosen up a little!" What you need to know is that it’s a test. They want to know if you’re for real. God wants to help you firm up your confidence and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’ve traded temporary, ephemeral, shadowy things for a substantial foundation and a sure footing – shifting sand for the Rock of Ages – hope in this life only for an everlasting, eternal, lively hope; one that anchors you to that Rock, which is Christ Jesus. He has called you out of a world headed for destruction and given you a new home, a new life, new goals, new purpose, a new way of thinking and living. He’s preparing you for the place He’s already prepared for you! His promise is that He will be with you always and assured you that He has already overcome the world. He also gives you the strength you’ll need so you can overcome it too. Nothing has been left to chance. You can make it... you have His Word on it!
Catch a glimpse of the promise on the horizon. The transformation is taking place even now. You are growing into the image of His resurrection. Just as earthly bonds could not hold Him, so bars of bone will not be able to hold your soul. Very soon now, the trump of God will sound and "the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!" (I John 3:2)
"And the City [our destination] lieth foursquare..."
(See Revelation 21:10-22:5.)
2 comments:
Beautiful Phoebe---I really like your blog.
Real truth, depth, and insight. Everyone who claims the Name of Jesus needs to read this, and share it with others. I'm so glad I'm "square"! (code word for "not like the World"). Praise God!!
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