ADVERSITY SHOULD INCREASE ASSURANCE

ADVERSITY SHOULD INCREASE ASSURANCE

Friday, July 24, 2015 (Originally written 7/16/14)

Hebrews [MKJV] 12:1-14 Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons, "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father does not chasten? But if you are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For truly they chastened us for a few days according to their own pleasure, but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now chastening for the present does not seem to be joyous, but grievous. Nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised by it. Because of this, straighten up the hands which hang down and the enfeebled knees. And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any fail of the grace of God, or lest any root of bitterness springing up disturb you, and by it many are defiled,…

  Satan is not as God. Satan is not omni-faceted person.

  Far too much credit for adversity is given to Satan, the reason thought “God loves me. Satan does not.”

  Satan delights in trying to or actually convincing us that he is behind all adversity in our lives when he is not. Believing this lie of Satan’s word . . . is contrary to God’s Word.

  Here are some aspects of adversity I see:

·         Since original sin life here is generally adverse. (Gen.3:14-19)

·         Because of my sinfulness I contribute to my and community adverse conditions. (Jer.17:9; Mk.10:18; Rom.3:10, 23)

·         Because of sinful nature of all others, Christian or not, there is incalculable combined (synergy) adverse action and function. (Rom.3:10, 23; Jam.4:1-3)

·         Mankind will never remedy the core problem. Man’s efforts to resolve are typically temporary patches often with adverse effects and affections that contribute to and complicate the core problem. (TNT, nuclear weapons and generation, antibiotics, etc.)

·         God may allow adversity as it may suit His greater purpose and because He loves us. (Job chapter 1; Heb.12:1-17)

·         Satan does what he can to contribute adversity. (Job 1:6-12; 1Pet.5:8; also note Pr.28:15)

·         Rather than wasting ourselves fretting over adversity, we should seek and implement godly exercising; for godliness with contentment is the greatest gain. (1Tim.6:6; 2Pet.1:3-7; 3:11)

·         It is wise to consider diversity as clarion call for self-examination. (1Cor.11:28-32; Heb.12:12-13)

·         Knowing the truth about adversity, we should practice proper accountability.

  A caution: Self-examination may easily become unhealthy examination resulting in distracting focus on woulda-coulda-shoulda, overburdening, or some form of the still ever-popular blame shifting recorded in Genesis 3:12-13.

  Self-examination must be primarily centered on The Word (Jn.1:1; 2Tim.3:15-16) in our relationship to God, He who loves us above all others. (Rom.5:8)

  Self-examination for Christian is never to be about score, but always about maturation; correction of active life-view producing lifestyle pleasing to God.

  Let’s know and appreciate adversity in correct perspective!

EBB4