Heavenly or Earthly Focus?

 

11/13/2020

Galatians 2:20 “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

Just when I think I am finally starting to grab onto a mustard-seed-amount of faith, I read these words form Chambers and am duly rebuked. He writes, “Think Who the New Testament says that Jesus Christ is, and then think of the despicable meanness of the miserable faith we have—I haven’t had this and that experience! Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims—that He can present us faultless before the throne of God, unutterably pure, absolutely rectified and profoundly justified.” Wow! In my faith, do I think about the truth of these statements? That my faith, although called for work here on earth, is not of this earth at all? My faith in Jesus as Savior is fully and wholly about restoring me back to Almighty God through sanctification. Am I always grateful for the grace and mercy extended to me? Always. Do I walk this mortal coil aware of being sanctified by my Savior? Most of the time I do not. I hold tightly onto being saved by faith, but I do not truly meditate on sanctification.

Unfortunately, the pull of the world and my own emotions (hurt, doubt, and fear) get in the way of this heavenly focus. These are the evil one’s tools of distraction in my life. Chambers writes, “We have to get out into faith in Jesus continually; not a prayer meeting Jesus Christ, nor a book Jesus Christ, but the New Testament Jesus Christ, Who is God Incarnate, and who ought to strike us to His feet as dead.” Why do I continue to let myself become distracted, when I know that continual faith brings so much more than anything this world has to offer? Why does fear so often shake me to my core when I know exactly Who is in control of all things? Why is it so difficult for me to stay in a place of absolute devotion and abandonment to Jesus? Chambers asks, “How can anyone who is identified with Jesus Christ suffer from doubt or fear! It ought to be an absolute paean of perfectly irrepressible, triumphant belief.”

I am still, and will always be, a work in progress. I am so thankful that Jesus takes me as I am, even in all my lack and brokenness. I may let Him down, but He will never let me down. There is no greater Love than the Love that my Savior has for me.