MR. FLESH GOES TO CHURCH

We have a problem and a solution.  The problem is the flesh.  The solution is new life in the spirit.  Jesus moved into problem and out that he might demonstrate the solution.  What I seem to be unable to get through my thick head is that the flesh--my flesh--opposes the spirit--my spirit and God's Spirit.

Folks...the battle still rages.

When Mr. Flesh goes to church, a spiritual juxtaposition occurs.  Mr. Flesh wants to run the show intended for the Spirit flow.  Mr. Flesh grapples with the story-line of the Son of God because he cannot understand nor explain the marvelous moves of Jesus.  Mr. Flesh is not equipped to know things beyond knowing as is pointed out in Ephesians 3:19-21.

There is great and abundant need in today's culture.  Social angst is rampant.  The Spirit of God would lead us to serve and minister to those in need.  But Mr. Flesh raises doubts as to what good it would do and whether those in need are deserving.

Mr. Flesh has unfortunately, may conveniently, forgotten his own fumbling and cruddy failures.

Brandon Hatmaker charges that even those well-intended to pitch in to make our communities a better place to live because of the promises of God are quickly distracted as deadlines are approaching, bills have to be paid, and school projects that require your help are waiting on the kitchen counter top.

Why do we fail, or at least operate in so much hesitation mode when it comes to ministering to the needy? How is it we can move through our days as if these people don't exist?  Why do our eyes not see them?

Mr. Flesh strongly opposes them.  That's why.  And we follow Mr. Flesh without giving it much thought.

Hatmaker went on to state, We have some deeper issues, too.  Beyond being selfish, unmotivated, and unconvinced, the big issue is that our flesh literally opposes it.  In other words without a transformed heart, we simply won't want to serve.

God not only knew that, He clearly pointed it out.  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

When Mr. Flesh goes to church there is constant effort to build respectable image in grand effort to convince all on-lookers that all is good.  However, even the whitewashed tombs are full of dead men's bones.  When our hearts are transferred to the Spirit life, at this time the Spirit within us goes to church.

Ah, authentic, meaningful, useful life at last!