Spiritual Wrestling

November 13th, 2008

Spiritual Growth is an interesting process of building and breaking. God is the potter and we are the clay. the funny thing about this is that often our lives take a shape in one stage then without explanation or warning God removes or reshapes us. Some times on such a level that we are crumpled back into a lump of unformed clay. The attributes we have learned are like color or textures that are still in the lump but our form is changed so that our purpose is more fully realized.

Because of our sinful human nature we feel this process like a wrestling match between God and ourselves. Obviously he would win. but he allows us to struggle against Him to strengthen our understanding of who he is. There is another kind of wrestling that occurs in our souls and minds. This is the struggle that the bible talks about in Philippians 2:12. Working out your faith is not an easy process it requires asking hard questions in the realm of theoretical and practical. It means coming to an answer about the problem of pain.(Read C.S. Lewis "The Problem of Pain") It means having an answer to someone asking you, "so my grandfather lived in india and never heard of Christ, are you telling me he is in hell?" These are hard questions that few people think about enough.

I challenge you my family of believers. Work out your faith with fear and trembling. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks. But above all live out your faith, DO NOT SHAME THE NAME OF CHRIST BY YOUR ACTIONS.