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Bouncebackability, NOT perfection!
The Jews viewed both Elijah and Moses as OTHER- WORLDLY, ALMOST GODS IN THEIR MINDS. Yet the New Testament paints a different picture of these two famous figures.
1. James 5:17 (KJV) - 17 Elias [Elijah] was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Elijah was a MAN. Elijah was mere flesh and blood! Elijah was just like me! Just like you! IMPERFECT FOR SURE, yet God answered his prayers! LESSON LEARNED: I don't have to be perfect to have power with God in prayer! GOD IS LOOKING FOR PERFECT HEARTS TOWARDS HIM, NOT PERFECT PERFORMANCES!
Only His was a perfect performance! No one but Jesus did it without flaw! So relax a bit, and give yourself a little wiggle-room to be human! And give the significant others in your life some wiggle-room too! You will see their glaring weaknesses on more than a few occasions! Imagine that! Wonder if they ever spot yours? Ouch!
Elijah and the men and women of the Bible were prone to human frailties, the vicissitudes of life, personality quirks, flaws of character, mistakes, ups and downs, dreams and disappointments and the whole gamut of human experience! They waffled! They stumbled! They waxed strong! Then afterwards tripped! Then rose again. REAL PEOPLE!
Bouncebackability, NOT perfection!
I suddenly saw the humanity of every person recorded in the Bible.
I suddenly saw the utter frailty and imperfection of these ordinary people simply answering the call of an extraordinary God! They were just giving it their best shot!
I suddenly had THIS CLARITY about each Bible character recorded in the Holy Writ: Not one of them CHOSE THE CALL, but THE CALL CHOSE them, and they were merely doing their UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST! Doing their very best to please the Father. Making an honest effort to walk closely with the Lord. Not a single one of them did is PERFECTLY! But over the long haul they were pleasing to God, even though each of them hit a lot of bumps in the road!
They were REAL PEOPLE SERVING A SURREAL GOD!
They were mere ORDINARY PEOPLE connected to an EXTRAORDINARY GOD!
They were just NATURAL PEOPLE who knew their SUPERNATURAL GOD!
Daniel 11:32 (KJV) - ...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Bouncebackability, NOT perfection!
I suddenly saw the great exploits and noble deeds and spiritual examples of Moses, David, Rahab, Gideon, Deborah, Esther, Peter, Paul, John, Mary, both Joseph's, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremish, John The Baptist, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others were accomplished IN THEM and THROUGH THEM by no innate power or virtue of their own!
Abraham who offered his wife to a king and also committed adultery with his wife's maiden is also called THE FATHER OF OUR FAITH!
David who had Uriah murdered and committed adultery with Bathsheba is still called the Sweet Psalmist of Israel and a man after Gods heart who did all God's will!
Jacob the Conniver and Deceiver and Liar was turned into Israel the Prince of a Man!
The BIBLE DOES NOT HIDE THE HUMAN SIDE AND FALLEN SIDE OF HIS GREAT SAINTS!
SO...
I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO BE REAL!
I GIVE YOU SPACE TO GROW!
YOU ARE GOD'S ONGOING PROJECT!
YOU ARE "UNDER CONSTRUCTION!" and have yet to be finished!
You will fall on occasion but that's alright! So do I! Get back up!
Bouncebackability, NOT perfection!
I don't give you permission to sin! Neither does your God! Rather I challenge you to Gods Ideal! But I also realize you won't do this perfectly!
In this life there is the IDEAL and then there is the REAL! We have to RECONCILE the two INTERNALLY in order to live without constant frustration and disappointment.
The Bible teaches that in Christ we not only possess PARDON FROM SIN but also POWER OVER SIN! That is where we choose to live! That is our position of victory in the Lord! We aspire to this lofty position in Him! Yet despite this truth, our humanity will raise its ugly head on occasion... and that's when we need to realize that God is patient, longsuffering, and forbearing. God is THE GOD OF ANOTHER CHANCE... AND ANOTHER, AND ANOTHER! We don't wallow in failure, or make constant excuses for falling or sinning, BUT we DO recognize our imperfection and receive more grace to deal with that aspect of our lives, without crucifying ourselves to death, without condemning ourselves and beating ourselves up on the inside!
Invisible Sign hanging over the entrance of every church: "HARD-HAT AREA! CHRISTIANS UNDER CONSTRUCTION HERE! BEWARE OF FALLING DEBRIS AND FLYING OBJECTS!"
Bouncebackability, NOT perfection!
2. We are fragile EARTHEN VESSELS carrying a HEAVENLY TREASURE!
The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV) - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN, PAUL! "We have this treasure in earthen vessels!" Sometimes I feel so EARTHEN that I might break! LOL!
A CLAY POT CONTAINING RICH TREASURE! What a contradiction!
Raw Power wrapped in Sheer Frailty!
Perfect Beauty clothed in Rags!
24k Gold dwelling inside a Clay Vessel!
Endless Strength carried by Utter Weakness!
3. Consider these precious promises that show how UNDERSTANDING, PATIENT, and LONGSUFFERING GOD is with our human side:
A. Psalms 37:23-26 (KJV) - 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
B. Proverbs 24:16 (KJV) - 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
C. The Hallmark of the Believer is BOUNCEBACKABILITY!!! Resilience! All men fall, the great ones get back up... by the grace and power of God!
Bouncebackability, NOT perfection!
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