I was studying Genesis when I read again the popular story of Esau and Jacob; how Esau was hungry so sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob for a bowl of porridge. It made me think of times I considered pleasing my flesh and almost immediately the thought of how it would bruise someone’s perception of me or somehow make God’s work through me a bit more difficult would cross my mind. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It looks like this post might be to new believers and those who are just getting to understand submission. Not a lot of people would like to hear this but it’s cheating to want your way in Christ because you’ve been bought; and it’s not degrading, rather, He has done you a favour.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
Instead of talking about what I’ve seen in those around me, I’d rather speak to what I’ve seen in the mirror. It is the Father’s work and will that all men be saved from death and damnation, hence, that is the very purpose of my life. I don’t believe I will be the one person used to save everyone but I know that I’m a part of His grand plan. This is why I can’t afford to give into my flesh; I’m ever grateful for His grace that picks me when I fall though. There have been a number of times I’ve let the flesh slip up; the time I let my anger and frustration out on the elderly lady in the bus, the time I had an attitude and the time I was a bit too friendly- I think many of us have been in these situations. It’s human.
What we forget in that moment is that our actions affect people; you may never know if your words or actions pushed someone further from God, added to the hate in their heart or was a temptation. On top of that, you don’t know who saw or heard you in that moment. You’ve gone about identifying yourself with Christ but have represented Him poorly and that has become the image of Christ a person has. It’s true that you have no control over another persons feelings, actions or reactions. But you could choose to be the ray of light, or shall I say, Christ that confuses the darkness of their heart.
If you are truly in Christ, you are an asset to the Kingdom. Don’t trade your chance at being a piece in God’s plan for a moment of fleshly satisfaction. Don’t be like Esau.
The Penthouse 