Have you ever wondered what the Lord really wants from us? Many times, our human intellect tries to come up with limits, or boundaries, which is basically trying to figure out what the bare minimum is: how many minutes per day, what percentage of my money, how far I should travel, etc. But the truth is, Jesus told us in his ministry what that acceptable service is. In John 13:1 "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus
knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto
the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them
unto the end." Again, He is not talking about a certain frame of time, but rather, an attitude, or a change of heart. Jesus told us in the fifth chapter of Matthew that if someone compels you to walk a mile with them, then go two. The historical context of this scripture is interesting. It seems, during the Roman rule, that armies passing through Jerusalem, would pick out young men to carry their packs for them. The Romans, being the more "civil" people, would only require the young lads to carry their packs for one mile. Thus, many of these boys would place a stick in the ground at the one mile marker, so they could drop the pack and head home. Jesus asks us to go further. How far? Consider the fact that Jesus himself planted a stick in the ground, as a sign as to how far he would go for us. The difference is that Jesus' stick was much bigger, and he hung upon his and died!
So, what can we consider, to bring us understanding? Let us look at I Kings 20:1-4 "And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together; and
there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses and chariots; and
he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad, Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine. And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have." Those who have read this story, know that the Lord intervened on behalf of Israel. But what we need to consider is: what was King Ben-Hadad expecting from King Ahab? He wasn't asking for half of the Kingdom. He wasn't looking for ten percent of the riches. What did he expect? Absolute Surrender! So, what is the key to being endowed with power on high? Absolute Surrender!
The Apostle Paul tells us "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which
is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what that good, and acceptable,
and perfect will of God is. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among
you, not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think, but to
think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of
faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another." So, the key is to submit ourselves to the altar of sacrifice; not a literal alter, but a sacrifice of ourselves, or our wills. The problem with any living sacrifice though, is that the sacrifice tends to get down, off the altar. We must remain steadfast. It is the process of dying to self, and the "putting on" of Christ. Of this, Paul also states "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love,
if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;"
Let's look at this process through the life of Peter. First, Peter was a man of obedience. After being out all night fishing, Peter and his partners returned to shore empty handed. As the men were wetting their nets, Jesus, with a multitude, showed up. The Master then steps into Peter's boat and speaks to those gathered. Afterword, Jesus asks Peter to go out to sea, and let his nets down. Peter, a fisherman, was reluctant, but added "Master, we have toiled all the
night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless, at thy word I will let down
the net." Of course, we know the story, and the great load of fishes that were caught. Peter was also a man of keen, spiritual insight. At the sight of the great haul of fish, Peter recognized, at least in part, who it was that stood before him. Peter responded "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Peter was also a man of revelation. Remember the great pronouncement at the shore of Caesarea Philippi, when Christ asked who THEY believed him to be. It was Peter who exclaimed "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." to which Jesus responded "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona;
for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father who
is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will
build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Can we not each see ourselves in these moments, at some time in our lives? But Peter was still living the life of self. Shortly after the great pronouncement, and the response of the Master, Peter got ahead of himself. Jesus then began to speak of his death, and the crucifixion by which it would occur. But Peter would have none of it. Still, relying on his own strength and wisdom, he rebuked Jesus. Jesus' response was swift and brutal: "Get thee behind me, Satan!" Again later, Jesus would speak to Peter about his spiritual health: "when you are converted strengthen your brethren."
Even with all of his good attributes, Peter was still unfit to receive the endowing power that the Lord desired to bestow upon him. Peter did not know himself. The death of Peter came quickly. Remember with me the story of how Peter was told he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crew. Remember how, after Jesus was arrested, that Peter followed along, from a distance, warming himself by fires, denying that he knew the Lord. Then, it happened: "And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the
word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou
shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly." How significant that their eyes met. What did Peter see in the eyes of his Beloved Master? Anger? Resentment? No; Peter saw the eyes of unconditional love. And Peter died...to himself. But this wasn't the end of his story. At the Day of Pentecost, Peter was given a new life; one that was dependent upon the grace of God. He became a new creature, in Christ.
Thus, our journey is envisioned. For Christ to be all in us, we must become dead to ourselves. There is no other way. If we are to become like Him, we must do as He says. His word says "Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect." Our perfection is all about 1. Relationship 2. Relationship and 3. Relationship. Only by His power can we ever defeat ourselves, and become like Christ. But God already knows this. This is why He communicates His desire for us thusly: "this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality, and eternal life of man." If we are ever to be with Him, we must be like Him. If we ever hope to be a witness of Him, we must have His image in our countenances. We cannot set a fire within someone else unless there is a fire ablaze in us. He is THAT fire. Surrender to him, and watch His might hand work in your life. God bless.
