Determinedly Discipline Other Things. This is another difficult aspect of the strenuous nature of sainthood. Paul said, according to the Moffatt translation of this verse, “. . . I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ . . . .” So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will— “the Son can do nothing of Himself . . . ” ( John 5:19 ). Then compare this with what we do— we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ.

Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature. It is inconceivable, but true nevertheless, that saints are not “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity,” but are simply doing work for God that has been instigated by their own human nature, and has not been made spiritual through determined discipline.

We have a tendency to forget that a person is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation, but is also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ’s view of God, the world, and of sin and the devil. This means that each person must recognize the responsibility to “be transformed by the renewing of [his] mind. . . .” (Romans 12:2 ).

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September 9, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

And I wonder how long I must be patient and hopeful before God answers my prayers? I wonder how long it will take before He sees my need and responds.

And God says…”Let patience have its perfect result. I see your need and I also see your need to be right where you are in the very perfect circumstance for your growth and maturity. I see you right where I put you; in the midst of circumstances designed to help you and others. How you respond inside these circumstances will have a significant impact on many others.”

“Remember that nothing can touch you that has not first touched My hands, and understand that I have a good future for you. I know you are impatient and eager to move on, but then patience and hope could not work an important result in you.”

“While you are waiting and hopeful,  remember; delight yourself in Me, and I will give you the desires of your heart.”