“Frustratingly human” is not an excuse. It’s an observation of
the reality of my walk with Jesus. Sometimes it is doubt when I am confronted
with many difficulties. Sometimes it is anger that boils up inside of me. Yes, in spite of spiritual desire and daily
disciplines, I must go to the Lord with a humble heart to pray, “Yes, Lord, I
did it again!” I am frustratingly human! I am a work in progress and I think I am not
alone. The points of my weakness differ
from yours but there are places where we all struggle to match our profession
of faith with its practice. Who among us has not found himself stunned by the
intensity of some temptation or even surprised by failure in himself or
another?
In a book, Longing
for God, the authors
introduce us to John Bunyan, who wrote the classic, Pilgrim’s Progress. Bunyan’s allegory places emphasis on “struggle
in the spiritual journey. He made much of the grace of God throughout his
life, but he never saw grace as opposed to struggle, only as opposed to
earning. Christian (Bunyan’s main character) struggles through the Slough of
Despond and struggles to enter the Straight Gate and struggles up the Hill of
Difficulty and struggles to overcome Apollyon (the Devil). At times he stumbles
and falls and he must overcome these setbacks.”
We too often confuse hypocrisy with being ‘frustratingly
human.’ We try desperately for perfection and failing it in our own lives, we
demand it in others. Where we see temptation and failure in our own lives, we
have a context of understanding, knowing how hard we wrestle against Self and Satan.
Tragically, where we see it in others, we tend to judge harshly, as if they do
not struggle. Fighting the good fight of faith does not indicate hypocrisy or spiritual
immaturity. It is the common experience of those who would walk with God in
this world. Hypocrisy flourishes where people
deny that temptation is real or excuse their failures, covering them under
layers of rationalization.
Disciple, do NOT think that you are unholy because you find
the Devil roaring in your face, or the appetites of your body clamoring to be
fed, or the bright lights of the world attractive! At the same time, no sincere
Christian should choose to strike a compromise with the ‘world, the flesh, or the Devil’ since temptation is so common. God’s grace IS great but He leads us into
battle, not to apathetic capitalization to those things that tempt us. We are
citizens of Heaven who live in alien territory.
The Word comforts and challenges us at the same time. "God’s law was given so that all people
could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s
wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and
brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right
standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Well then, should we keep on sinning so
that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since
we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?"(Romans
5:20-6:2, NLT)
The paradox of spiritual victory is humility that receives
the gift of grace found in Christ Jesus. Want to fail spectacularly? Trust yourself,
your resolve, your discipline. Abraham
followed God to a strange land, full of faith, and then failed to trust Him to complete
the promise and lied to save his own skin!
David walked with God intimately, writing songs of faith that still teach
us to worship, and yet he choose to steal another’s man wife for himself. Peter knew the power of the Spirit and yet,
when pressed by some of his colleagues, compromised his commitment to the universal
reach of the Gospel of Christ. How did these men find restoration? By coming humbly to their God and accepting His
gift of love. He loves us even we are frustratingly
human. No, He does not overlook or excuse. He comes alongside of us to offer renewal,
to show us hope, to strengthen us in our commitment. When humbly take the gift we could never earn
by any amount of our own goodness, the mystery of grace and salvation becomes
visible in us.
Are you in a struggle today?
Are you wondering if your experience of Christ is somehow flawed that you would have such conflicting desires?
Are you ready to compromise to try to find some peace?
Are you wondering if your experience of Christ is somehow flawed that you would have such conflicting desires?
Are you ready to compromise to try to find some peace?
Are you weary, wanting to be different, to leave the frustration
of your humanity behind?
Here’s a word from the Word. Take note of the final phrase that focuses not
on you and me, but on the One in Whom we have believed. In spite of being ‘frustratingly
human’ Paul declares he is not ‘ashamed.’
He is not hiding, retreating, or excusing. He is trusting! Victory ahead! “The power of God, … has saved us and called us to a holy life—not
because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This
grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now
been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has
destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel. … I am not ashamed, because I
know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I
have entrusted to him for that day." (2 Timothy 1:8-12, NIV)
____________
Lord, I Need You
Lord, I come, I confess;
Bowing here, I find my rest.
Without You, I fall apart,
You're the One that guides my heart.
Lord, I need You, oh I need You;
Ev'ry hour I need You!
My one defense, my righteousness,
Oh God how I need You!
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more.
Where grace is found is where You are.
And where You are, Lord, I am free;
Holiness is Christ in me.
Where You are, Lord, I am free;
Holiness is Christ in me.
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way.
And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You,
Jesus, You're my hope and stay!
And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You,
Jesus, You're my hope and stay!
Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian
Stanfill | Matt Maher
© 2011 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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