3/4/2021 - Colossians 1:27

 3/4/2021

- The most difficult thing about watching or reading the news these days is to hear about politicians who put their ideals and desires in the spotlight while showing a blatant disregard for them in private. Who casually break campaign promises they never intended to keep. Who pretend they haven’t done the very things they loudly criticize in others. The funny thing is, I have been challenged to look at myself and see inconsistencies that are not so harmless.

- I am relieved to know that one of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to expose everything in me that has no place in the Kingdom of God. It is just too easy to mistake a self-righteous conviction for goodness or to Give Myself Permission to do something I think is harmless but is really destructive to myself or others. I’m even glad God shows me how I argue with Him about these things, even while He gives me the power along with the desire to stop [this is where I pause to pat myself on the back… Oops, see what I mean?].

- There is a reason I have been led to re-read The Pilgrim’s Progress. I can’t deny I’m much closer to the Celestial City now. I may be collecting Social Security but there are still a lot of pitfalls along the way. I may go sliding in sideways (hat-tip to Cathe Wiese), but because I am letting go of my own salvation and leaving it totally up to Christ-in-me*, I have to admit it is a lot less stressful and much more joyful these days.

*Colossians 1:27, ff “…the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

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