Dear Ones:
Many years ago a young French pastor told me something about the Christian community in France, specifically about individual Christians. It was that he saw the greatest need “balance”. Why did he say this? It was simply because in a godless society as France, there were so many humanistic ideas that flooded the culture, it was very difficult to face the onslaught of them, remaining steady, and overcoming the opposing tide, and the strong winds. Balance was indeed a basic issue.
Paul writes to Timothy, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1 Tim. 4:1-2) It is very evident that he is speaking of a spiritual conflict which is being waged in the hearts and minds of men, and it is a question of believing truth or the lie. Even when the truth is known, there is the deliberate attempt to suppress it. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he will write, “…This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come.” (2 Tim. 3:1) He goes on to give a list of the characteristics of men at that time, capping off the description by saying, “…Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such, turn away.” (v.5) Why does the Apostle call these, “perilous times?” It is because of the amount of ungodliness, and primarily, the increasing lack of knowledge of the truth. To not know the truth, is to become the victim of being swept up in the philosophies, imaginations, and speculations of men. If the lies of men, as opposed to the truth in Christ, are amassed against the mind and soul of the Christian, then it is a difficult thing to keep steady, resolute, …balanced.
The Lord Jesus was perfectly balanced. Though the storms of opposition, temptation, and the pressures upon his own limited physical abilities, raged against Him at times, he remained steady, resolute, and overcoming. He is not only our example, but our enabler, and this by virtue of our union with Him. But what did He DO to remain steady, for though he was God, yet he was also man, with those limitations and vulnerabilities that accompany humanity (apart from the sinful nature.) First of all, He attended to the maintenance of His fellowship and worship of the Father. His primary love, and highest devotion, belonged to his Father. The love of the Father was paramount, and was guarded with utmost care. Secondly, He was focused, not only on His purpose and mission, but on the Spirit of His Father, His constant Companion, His Enabler in all things, at all times. Thirdly, He remained committed to the seeking and saving of those who did not know God. He came to serve, not to be served. He came to give His life for the ransom of many (..for all men, though not all would receive Him). And lastly, He did not take only a short-term view of His ministry and life. “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross…”(Heb. 12:2) He was looking down the corridor of time into eternity when “the saved of earth shall gather on the other shore,” and He would have brought many to glory. He perspective was an eternal one beyond this earth, and stretching into the glory of eternity.
If we will be balanced and steady, then we must abide in Him…for He is our stability. Nothing can be permitted to interfere with the cultivation of our personal relationship with God, the Father and the Son, by the Spirit. Daily, worshipful, meditation of His word, with prayer and intercession, are indispensable for this. And, in order for our focus to remain clear, and the commitment to our purpose resolute, we must keep ever before us His personal call to our hearts. We all have different gifts and capacities, our callings are different. But the Head of the Church and the Lord of the Harvest, is the God of clarity and conviction. Let us trust Him for grace to see clearly the way in which He would have us to go, so that our lives will truly count for Him. “Whats done BY Him will last.” (David Livingstone)
Love, Dad