Imperfection is magnified in the presence of perfection. The closer we become to "perfection," (maturity, the full corn in the ear, meet for the Master's use) the more the immaturity, or "imperfection" of others is magnified to us.
"I wouldn't have done it that way." "Why don't they just...!"
The "wrong" in others is magnified when the "right" in us begins to shine bright. The Truth is, what we think is "wrong" in others, is not wrong at all; it's just where they are at right now. In fact, if we are honest, where they are "at" is where we just came from ourselves. But when we're in the midst of "it," we can't see "it." But when you come out of "it," everything becomes more clear.
It's critical for us, at this moment of "going to the next level," "coming into our own," that we guard against becoming critical. The moment of "coming into one's own" is when our flesh is the most susceptible to an attack.
Remember, pride is perverted authority. God has created us to be proud of who we are. God has created us to "rule and reign," but pride--the elevation of one's self over another for the purpose of simply being superior--is perverted authority, and is the enemy's breading grounds for destruction. That kind of pride comes before a fall.
At this moment, when you feel the real you rise up on your inside, when you feel yourself passing from one level to another, when it seems like suddenly everyone is against you or no one can do anything right that gets around you. When it feels like you are the only one left on the planet who knows how to do it "right," resist the urge to see things "wrong" in others. Remain thankful that the Lord has brought you into a new level, into a new land. Remember that just a moment ago that was you.
Guard yourself from becoming critical…self-righteous. Embrace your promotion, but remember if it weren’t for God, you would still be going around that same mountain again and again.
“Self” righteousness sees its "self" right and everyone else wrong. Now, notice I said "self." "Self" righteousness sees their "self" right and everyone else wrong. But remember, there is not one good, no not one!
Your "self" is no better than anyone else's "self." We are all flesh and blood, life - the light of men. Every human being, regardless of race, gender, or creed, deserves the same universal respect.
Remember that the highest form of “righteousness” is not compared to "self" or "flesh", but right standing to "God--spirit." As flesh and blood I am no better than any other "self" on this planet. But it is no longer I, "self," who lives, but "Christ"--the complete work of God--that lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh, "self," I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Him "self" for me. I laid down my "self" so I could pick up His! --Oh' Praise God!
On a human scale you are no better than anyone else, but you are not just mere flesh and blood, if you are born of the Spirit, but you have been "born again," given the "spirit of adoption," by which you cry, "Abba Father!"
The world has been competing for power since it was created. Everyone wants to be in charge. The world is shifting now and demands that no one be in charge. Every man wants the right to be right. Everyone wants the right to govern him or her “self.”
You're right, you have the right to govern your "self," but the real you - your spirit, is under the headship and authority of One, Jesus Christ - God in the flesh.
He has total control over you, because He has purchased you with the greatest price known to mankind - blood. Jesus Christ gave His life that you might have "life," not "self," and have it more abundantly.
You have the right to govern your "self" but the One True Christ, who is the propitiation of sin, and has paved The Way to eternal righteousness for all mankind, and He governs your “spirit”, but you have to receive it.
The world was, the world is, and the world will be…then the end will come. You are absolutely in charge of your "self." You have the right to choose to live any way you want to. You can choose any lifestyle you want to and stake your claim that you are forever remaining “true to who you are.” But remember that your "self" will come to an end. And when your “self” comes to an end, your spirit will continue to be for all eternity. It’s only when you come to the end of who you think you are that you will truly come to know who you are. “But for now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
There will come a day when you will know you as you are known. That will be the moment of truth. If at this point, you have never given the governing of your spirit, the real you, over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, The One who made eternal life (eternal right relationship with God) available to you, you will be separated.
The goats will be gathered to one side, and the sheep the other. On that great and notable Day of Judgment, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will stand at the Judgment seat, and spirit after spirit (one light of man after another) will come and stand before God Almighty to bare record of the decision they have made with the "self" and the "life" they have been given.
For those who have accepted The Way, The Truth, and The Live, the Eternal Judge will bare record of your name recorded in The Lamb's book of life, and instruct you to "enter ye in thou good and faithful servant."
But if you have never surrendered your life to the governing of The One who created you, if you have chosen to govern your "self," you will stand before The Almighty God--Eternal Judge--and have to justify your "self" before Him. And we are all but as filthy rags. Who dares compare their own selves good in the sight of Almighty God?
To govern your "self," friend, means you accept the eternal responsibility and consequences for your "self" and "spirit." All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. No man is good, no not one. The wages of sin is death.
Look into nature. It's apparent there is more to life than what we know. God is seen in every part of our world; so much so that all man will be without excuse.
The Spirit of the Lord is in the earth beaconing His sons and daughters to surrender their lives to Him. Time is of the essence. The Way has been made. The Way Maker is waiting. To accept Eternal Life is to live; to deny it is death. Choose ye this day whom you shall serve.
If this world be your god, then serve it. But if God be your God, then serve Him! Sell out! Make Him your passion, your consumption, your conviction, and your every waking moment. Ask, seek and knock, while there is time.
For there will come a day when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord; regardless of what you have decided.
Today is the day of salvation.
Jeff Crume
Jeff Crume Ministries
www.jeffcrumeministries.org
The Lord took the prophet Ezekiel out into the valley of dry bones
(Ezekiel 37) and asked the all important question, "
Can these bones live?" The Prophet answered, "
O Lord God, you know." God is asking the prophet a question, and the prophet, in turn, is asking God the same question.