Old Dog V
THE LAST BATTLE YOU WILL EVER FIGHT
Bob Neumann
Dear Jane, Laura and the WPA,
Last week i was “interrupting” a discussion when THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT told me to stop and wait. That is what i did. Now when i am told to pick up the thread, i am told to address a different aspect of the total image. So Jane, i will finish this, but it will be as THE LORD WANTS IT.
We are all presently in THE LAST BATTLE we will ever fight. The Last battle where we choose the times and places, the tactics and the stratagies. It is the battle with what Paul calls the OLD MAN. Some call it our fleshly or carnal nature. Some smooth talking preacher-types call it the predilection towards sin.
There have been cults and groups that taught constantly you had to starve and abuse the flesh. Fast continuously, sleep on bare floors, etc,etc,etc to “mortify the flesh”.
The truth is we are at war with our “ME FIRST MINDSET”. Our battle is to rid ourselves of our “SELF-IMAGE” and replace it with THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE.
Just like in Iraq, the war began with a huge battle and continues to today with random acts of terrorism. So is it in our “spirit”. We come to a point where we have utterly failed to “be like JESUS”, to follow HIM, to live good, sinless, perfect lives by our own efforts, according to our own plans to reach our own goals. And we wonder why we are frustrated, angry, ranting at GOD. But in all our “plans”, “efforts”, even “goals”. JESUS was nothing…an “it”. HE HAD no SAY…no PLACE.
“OUR” LAST BATTLE is never really over. We may find VICTORY and go on to more important BATTLES that THE KING CHOOSES, but we always have that “old man” lurking and waiting for opportunities to regain his control. When Paul cried out “Oh wretched man”…it was in the anger and frustration of having his “old man” getting a shot in even near the end. When Paul wrote about the proverbial “thorn” it was to show all of us that we never get above ourselves. That not only GRACE is WANTED, but absolutely NEEDED, each and every day.
Finally, let me warn you about the so called SUPER CHRISTIANS that say they have it all. HOOOOEEEEYYYY.
We are all sinners…we all struggle each and every day. Anyone tell you that they are “beyond” all that, flee…far and fast.
But for anyone who truly seeks the LORD with a broken and contrite spirit. Who is giving up their persona of “self” and all it is tied to. There is a point where GOD becomes real. THE VOICE of the SHEPHERD becomes clear. And we realize it is better to SERVE HIM and HIS…than ourselves.
In the Old Testament, GOD repeatedly states….early I SEND MY SERVANTS. A servant is not an employee. It is not a “job” with set hours, bennies and perks.
Years ago i was led to write I AM A SERVANT…. it is archived out there in several places.
If you really understand what full submission unto HIS WILL requires…and accept it…the BATTLE IS OVER.
selah
olddog
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