Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Reflection on "My Utmost" November 15 Part III

"Most of us live on the borders of consciousness – consciously serving, consciously devoted to God. All this is immature, it is not the real life yet. The mature stage is the life of a child which is never conscious; we become so abandoned to God that the consciousness of being used never enters in. When we are consciously being used as broken bread and poured-out wine, there is another stage to be reached, where all consciousness of ourselves and of what God is doing through us is eliminated. A saint is never consciously a saint; a saint is consciously dependent on God."

What is consciousness? These psychological terms are very confusing, even frustrating. If consciousness means "awareness", then we are called to be aware of nothing other than His Love and Forgiveness in our lives:

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and the rest shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33)

Yet this mandate is fulfilled by God in us, not by our actions. By faith, we receive His work in us.

First Jesus promises his disciples:

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)

And then after his resurrection:

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:21-22)

The Holy Spirit is synonymous with the reign of the Kingdom of God in us, among other things.

And then finally:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17)

We do not have to pay attention to anything in particular, because the Lord, who controls everything, now controls us. Our thoughts line up with the Word of God (which are Spirit), and they in turn help guide our actions.

"A saint is never consciously a saint; a saint is consciously dependent on God." Right on! And this dependence is not borne of our doing, but by faith receiving all that He is doing!

No comments:

Post a Comment