A river touches places of which its source knows nothing, and Jesus says if we have received of his fullness, however small the visible measure of our lives, out of us will flow the rivers that will bless to the uttermost parts of the earth. We have nothing to do with the outflow.
~ Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
~ Philippians 1:8-11
Watchman Nee once warned the world about the power of the human soul. We were created to do great things in this world. And before the fall, Adam probably accomplished immense amounts of work in the Garden on Eden. He cared for a huge area, working tirelessly. He was not super-human. He was simply-human, simply running as designed. He had a human frame that was unsoiled by the stain of sin, his frame was powerful beyond any measure we would use today.
The Fall changed all of that. Today, our bodies are born into weakness – and at their very best – die in weakness some 120 years later. On the horrible day where sin entered our DNA, we chose to try to live life on our own; to try to be good like G_d in our own power and in our own knowledge of good and evil.
And so, the law of the flesh is with us to this day. Even those of us who have been born again, inhabit bodies that will reap corruption. They will weaken and die.
Enter Grace!
As He makes us new – even in this old body – we begin to take on super-natural power to live life. Might this writer be so bold as to suggest that our physical bodies actually have the potential to be stronger, faster, happier, smarter and healthier when they are fully yielded to His Spirit. Yes, we are fallen, with diseases and weaknesses. But, just as Yes, we are set free from the influence that self-induced life-dominating sin has on our bodies. AND, these physical bodies are indwelt by Almighty G_d Himself.
And as we merge with the flow of His Great Commission in the world, we go into training. We feed on His Word. We exercise ourselves unto godliness. We rest in Him. We drink His Living water – and we grow in Him.
As this continues, we begin to receive our assignments. And, at first, it seems like we might be overwhelmed. It seems that almost immediately, He is giving us more than we can handle on our own. There are oceans of people to Love, thousands of places to go, incomprehensible wisdom to learn, and passionate ongoing worship to offer. THAT’S THE POINT of the assignments. They are impossible separate from the Grace of the One who is giving the assignments in the first place.
But, when we get comfortable with the fact that HE is the source of power here, we start to move forward into the flow under considerable force and acceleration. We actually begin to be effective for the purposes of G_d and His kingdom. Through prayer, the will of G_d is brought to bear on areas of need. Through the proclamation of the Gospel, lies are dispelled and Life-giving truth is given a beachhead in enemy territory. Through sacrificial Love, multitudes of sin are covered – people are comforted – and they are attracted to The One who is Love itself.
Feeling too tired? Burned-out? Are you trying to do all that G_d wants you to do with just a fallen human store of strength? STOP! This path is not only unnecessary, it is dangerous, sinful, and foolish.
There is an Infinite Power Source to fulfill the tasks of the Great Commission. G_d’s Grace is a limitless, shoreless sea of His ability to get things done. This Grace is so valuable that it could NEVER be paid for – so G_d did the impossible (He does this kind of thing all the time), He made Grace free.
Just ask Him for it. AND THEN, when He gives it: Say thank you, and let it flow into your tanks; filling all your need.
Yeah, it is that simple.
but in order that we may be able to do them.
