"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."  

                                                                 - Hebrews 5:14

 

       Back in the day when I use to size engineered beams for high end residential construction, I remember one of the most critical aspects to getting things right, especially in multi-level homes, was following the bearing point down to the foundation, and making sure that whatever a beam was carrying above was within tolerance levels.  Performance ratings were certainly helpful, but to make sure there wasn't going to be any structural failure I had to calculate all the loads that were going to be transferred to the beam.  There was no guesswork to it.  It required precise calculations.

       When it comes to our Christian life there are loads that bear upon us where we have to be capable of carrying them if we want to experience the deeper things of God.   I'm not talking about the weights that try to easily beset us.  I'm talking about the weight that bears upon us to live a crucified life, to go the distance with a sacrificial lifestyle that honors God with our life.  These are the things that test our strength of will and our determination to grow up in the things of God.

"If you are going to accept the position that righteousness provides, then you must assume the responsibility that righteousness demands."

        There are two very important considerations we must attend to if we want to be able to carry the weight of spiritual things.  One is being positioned properly.  Even when it comes to lifting a heavy object we have to make sure we are in the right position. The transfer of any weight can be very demanding.  And the position that we put ourselves in to handle whatever it is we are to carry can make all the difference in the world. Being positioned spiritually means we have to know who we are in Christ and what it is we have within us that becomes that sustaining force when any load is bearing down upon us. 

        In both Paul's writings and what Jesus told his disciples in the Upper Room reveals to us that the Holy Spirit is that sustaining force.  However capable we are to bearing a load depends largely on how sensitive we are to letting the "Helper" aid us as we journey toward maturity.  According to Romans chapter eight, Paul said, "Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities..." (Rom. 8:26).  The Greek word for "helpeth" literally means "to take hold together with against."  The Holy Spirit isn't going to do it all alone, but he will certainly help us if we learn to yield to him.

        The second thing that we must consider if we want to be able to carry the heavier things of the Spirit is we have to become skilled in the word of righteousness.  The Greek word for skill actually denotes experiential knowledge.  In any occupation, if you want to be good at what you do you have to learn your tools, you have to understand proper procedures, and you have to spend time honing your abilities until you become an expert.  It isn't any different spiritually speaking.  You have to know the things you are given to work with in the Spirit, you have to become familiar with the ways of God, and you have to spend time exercising your gifts and abilities until you are equipped to do your job with divine accuracy.

       Being skilled in the word of righteousness means you know your place in Christ, you know your giftings in him, and you are assured of your duty and responsibility to live a life completely surrender to him.  The Lord said to me once, "If you are going to accept the position that righteousness provides, then you must assume the responsibility that righteousness demands."

       We are all on a course to perfection.  It's a journey to maturity.  In order for us to get where we need to go we have to examine our bearing points to make sure we can carry whatever God asks of us.  Some of us are carrying a call, which can be very demanding.  Others of us are carrying a burden for someone or something, but all of us are carrying a responsibility of growing up in the things of God until we reach those levels where we become a towering force for good!*