"Some" Participation...

A guest blog from Kelly Kuvakas:

It's been a while, but we said it again this week in the ladies' Bible study group --

"Some participation is required"

-- this time in relation to mortifying the flesh, bringing it under submission, separating/setting ourselves apart through our conduct, so that the standard of holiness might bring glory to God (among the Gentiles). (1Pet 2:11-12)

It's such hard work sometimes!

                Even with the Holy Spirit!

            How much easier it would be if we had a switch that we could throw on

                            and instantly be in full participation mode.

Later that same evening while I was playing the piano, preparing for the Sunday night service, I realized, through the words of the songs I was singing, that 

Christ, our great example,

                              modeled "Some participation required" 

                                                                                to the umpteenth degree.

                   ~ Call me dense, but it was a revelation ~

                             *He never sinned, but suffered as if He did...

                              Power in hand, speaking the Father's plan...


Let's see...
 
Equal with God but laying aside His rights...

Only doing the Father's will, not His own...

Doing nothing on His own initiative...

Being tempted in every way but without sin...

Weeping in the garden yet praying "not My will, but Yours"...

Submitting to the Father's will and carrying it out...

By becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.


Talk about hard work! Talk about some participation!


How amazing it is that participation in obedience is what we're called to also... 


As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,  but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;  because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  (1Pet1:14-16)  

You know, this is my heart's desire and yours too, I'm sure...to be like Him, in all things...in holiness, in purity, being conformed to the image of Christ, not conforming to the former things.

It will require "some" participation, perhaps a mental or physical turning away, from thoughts and/or deeds.

The flesh will (unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you view it) continue its war with the Spirit throughout the rest of our lives. We will never be sinless until we see Christ, but we will sin less as we mature through this life with Him.

So, which side will we take when temptation comes? 
           Will we continue to serve the great idol of self
                      or will we submit to God's plan like Christ did?

I've grown to think it a great grace of God when we are made aware of our sinfulness.  Even though it's ugly and painful, it's shown for the purpose of our turning away, repenting and being cleansed - part of the sanctification process.

I'm so grateful that  "we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin."   (Heb 4:15)
 

And this One, who was fully God and fully man,
            now is also the Exalted One (Acts 5:31),
                                     the Victorious One (1Cor 15:57),
                                              the Faithful One (Rev 19:11).

And now He lives in me, in you, abiding in us, teaching us, bringing all things (the Word!) to our remembrance, guiding us.  
  

**Lover of my soul, I want to live for You...
                                                             Jesus, thank You!


                   
KK

*Overcome -- words and music by Jon Egan copyright 2007 Vertical Music CCLI#5064359

**Jesus, Thank You -- words and music by Pat Sczebel copyright 2003 Sovereign Grace Worship CCLI#4475341