We are caught in a curious place. If the end is to just know ourselves as forgiven (with Christ as savior and forgiver) of sin, somehow hold fast to this to death and then “go to Heaven”, nothing is said in that uncommendable. Even the use of the word “just” as though assigning this a small doing, could speak ill of such estate. God forbid. And God forbid any of the Lord’s gracious work be counted as “just” something He does, or has done.
Yet when we see such as all reduced to that, juxtaposed against what Paul has declared as ultimate plan, purpose and even will of God in and though Christ for His church, it will not deprecate such. Therefore, God forbid it appear anyone (especially myself) seem to do so, or have any intent to. But we are left with having to consider certain things in light of one another. Particularly an all “growing to the fullness of the stature of Christ…(even) unto a perfect man”. This is indeed what the apostle called a high calling.
And if a man say “we are caught” (even in a curious place) there might be some reason for appraising it so. For none will deny one has written “it does not yet appear what we shall be” in our being sons of God. Likewise even in such place that one has written that:
“but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
We are to be like Him in all ways, yet till He is seen as He is, this full outworking of transformation is hindered, or veiled. It does seem to be a curious place, no? To have some conviction (even inward impetus) of intended growth to a fullness (lacking nothing)…even to a perfection, but forced to admit that (at least) to ourselves…”it does not YET appear what we shall be”.
It can be, perhaps must be in some ways, vexing to any logic of man. But, the spiritual man might be able to understand, it is only to those places where all natural logic is rebuked, shown useless and vain, that are, or is, to where the spiritual man is beckoned. This presents, even demands, a reliance elsewhere.
There can be no figuring out, or calculating by measures.
It is not my intent (such as I know it) to present difficulties, or seeming contradictions, or make of hope a silly thing. But likewise I see no grace if denying our most common of estates, pretending I see better of difficult things. And perhaps that is something of a persuasion granted a man might come to…that when things are hard (or difficult), we may have some inclination to put more oomph to it, believing it might still be possible we can do it, but when things are manifestly shown perfectly impossible, a good and healthy surrender is found to have joy in it.
Frustration doesn’t come from impossibility, frustration only comes from, and can only come from a thing appearing doable making itself then undoable to us…as we strive and try, and labor after it…yet always falling short.
Stupidly I offer…I find frustration when thinking I could have all studs perfectly plumb, and then find that (at least) one off I somehow neglected to see so when later appraised. I though I had worked consistently throughout, and if asking me I would tell you, “yes, absolutely” I had placed a level on all faces. But now…after line of them is done…the proof is there…I hadn’t worked as precisely as I thought I had. Did I not see? What didn’t I take into account? How can this be when I thought I had…
This is a silly offering I know, but such has happened far more, and in too many ways worth mentioning to be ignored in my own undertakings. Maths, automotive mechanics (whence this extra nut or screw?)…job of livelihood, marriage(s)…in every single thing I might undertake in my presumption of possibility and intent of success (ha, maybe like writing!)…I have known frustration. Any and all of oomph here, it seems, serves only to make more a fool of me. “This time, yes, this time…I’ll make it work perfectly”. Ha!
You know where I have never known frustration? Trying to grow hooves, or a second head…well…simply because…my knowing it is impossible has kept me from striving to.
No doubt some will be inclined here to say “someone is just saying throw up your hands and walk away from all of Christ”. It’s all just…impossible…anyway. “Love your neighbor as yourself” “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Who hasn’t found how easily resorted to is that serpent’s knowing when seeing it…as some impossibility to then remain harmless?) You think me a fool? How very right you are! In some ways I am still looking for the man who has cut off his right hand because he has seen it as an offense to him. Or that man with one eye plucked out. “OH!” One says…”you silly silly man…Christ here is being exaggerative, not literal (whatever that means) and you are too obviously a fool”. Yes, and again, no doubt I am.
But who easily explains all that away but than blithely reads “Thou shalt love the Lord with thine whole heart, whole mind, whole soul, and whole strength” and says “OK, cool, that I will do” That’s a real (literal) instruction.
“Cool, Jesus, thanks for the great advice!”
Listen. I’m a liar and easily accused of being so, especially if in any way I am seeking to present myself in any way immune to, or deaf to knowing this/these inner conversation:
“I need to try harder”
“I need to be better”
“I’m not doing well enough”
or
“I may well be beyond all hope” the last being especially pernicious if allowed as final word. And indeed would be…if another allowed it to be.
But here is where grace and mercy shine, even if, and when, in rebuke:
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Someone speaks hope to the chiefest of sinners. The very one who “most falls short”.
The issue is not hard to see. The problem (if it is one) even more easily discerned as irresolvable for man. Only He who can (and does) the impossible can possibly reign here.
But God forbid we fail to see it as His issue, taken to Himself and for Himself…and somehow seek to worm our way in with our ability(s) to resolve and do what only He can.
He (our God) has purposed that from clay (as to Him appeared a good start for His purpose) to fashion a thing to then become a thing of such stature as to be changed and grow into all likeness of Himself. And this He has done through His Christ, our Lord, Jesus. Free of sin? Yes, and undoubtedly. Of different nature than what once was? Surely (The first man is of the earth and earthy…)
Yet…purposed by His purpose “may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
And to know the Father in all fullness as we are persuaded our Lord does.
He started with His dust (so far as we often see) and as such so often occupies our sight…for cleaner dust, better dust, more perfect dust…and we know frustration…even as we must. We might just as well “try” to grow a second head.
But before dust is His intent and purpose…before all we can of our seeing and our own knowing, is all His intent and purpose.
And that alone can only be seen in one place. Heard of, from one place.
So also it has been written: “The first man Adam became into a living soul;” the last Adam into a life-giving spirit.
Yet…purposed by His purpose “may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
And to know the Father in all fullness as we are persuaded our Lord does.
He started with His dust (so far as we often see) and as such so often occupies our sight…for cleaner dust, better dust, more perfect dust…and we know frustration…even as we must. We might just as well “try” to grow a second head.
But before dust is His intent and purpose…before all we can of our seeing and our own knowing, is all His intent and purpose.
And that alone can only be seen in one place. Heard of, from one place.
So also it has been written: “The first man Adam became into a living soul;” the last Adam into a life-giving spirit.
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.
More oomph simply will not avail here.
The flesh must, cannot help but, is assigned to inescapably, glorying in itself. And thereby showing its nature.
What may appear, or even be described, as the merest whiff of spirit is far more than enough to show all its boasting as the corruption it is. The rank vanity it is.
For is not in any of man’s measure of abundance of spirit or seeming paucity of it that any right measurement can be made. The most novice saint holds within a wisdom to shame the eldest religious devotee and practitioner who trusts in his own piety. Maybe even someone like me.
The greatness of spirit is measured and has come in the cost of “its” delivery…whether we (in our foolishness) yet think by the ton or by the ounce.
One word does. One word undoes.
And what is new in spirit…has always been and will.
Behold, (He proclaims) I make all things new.
We either see “it all started with dust”…or He intended to start from dust with an intent no man can bring himself to. And somehow be delivered from all the frustrations dust is ordained to know.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
His hope. It’s working toward all that is full and perfect. Even through what we might call…our frustrations.
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