The Enemy’s “Devices”: 2 Cor. 2:11
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:29 pmHow often do believers unnecessarily (due to unawareness) allow themselves to be under the “weight” of sin’s guilt (Heb 12:1), or at least its shame? This can result from an incomplete knowledge and understanding concerning our place in Christ (due to low Scripture-knowledge level, or incomplete learning of Biblical doctrine). We may even be matured in proper learning, and yet, the opposition of “the old man” along with the Enemy can yet distract (surprise-attack) and temporarily cause a downcast.
Resolution is always present regardless the maturity level of our understanding, but for “conscience sake” (Acts 24:16; 1Tim 3:9; Heb 10:2) we are to recall our faith in the guiltless, shameless position we have in the Lord Jesus, which is that “There is therefore now (nor ever will be) no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
This “no condemnation” supersedes all things (esp. self-condemnation) and allows the believer to continue to “rest” (Heb 4:1, 9-11) in complete assurance (esp. concerning the conscious) of the Cross-work of Christ, and there is no greater faith-building element here, for all that is Christian is contained and supported in and by the Cross.
Excessive hindrance to God’s rest and peace will often result in a slow, but yet—eventual Spirit-exercising in us of these attributes (rest/peace), revealing the need for increased knowledge and understanding of the Spirit’s teachings (1 Cor 2:13) concerning the permanently secure position in God.
God give us to be humble when prideful, and patient in hardness!
-NC
Resolution is always present regardless the maturity level of our understanding, but for “conscience sake” (Acts 24:16; 1Tim 3:9; Heb 10:2) we are to recall our faith in the guiltless, shameless position we have in the Lord Jesus, which is that “There is therefore now (nor ever will be) no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
This “no condemnation” supersedes all things (esp. self-condemnation) and allows the believer to continue to “rest” (Heb 4:1, 9-11) in complete assurance (esp. concerning the conscious) of the Cross-work of Christ, and there is no greater faith-building element here, for all that is Christian is contained and supported in and by the Cross.
Excessive hindrance to God’s rest and peace will often result in a slow, but yet—eventual Spirit-exercising in us of these attributes (rest/peace), revealing the need for increased knowledge and understanding of the Spirit’s teachings (1 Cor 2:13) concerning the permanently secure position in God.
God give us to be humble when prideful, and patient in hardness!
-NC