The Ministry of the Inner Life

June 21st, 2012 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

You are . . . a royal priesthood . . . —1 Peter 2:9

 

By what right have we become “a royal priesthood”? It is by the right of the atonement by the Cross of Christ that this has been accomplished. Are we prepared to purposely disregard ourselves and to launch out into the priestly work of prayer? The continual inner-searching we do in an effort to see if we are what we ought to be generates a self-centered, sickly type of Christianity, not the vigorous and simple life of a child of God. Until we get into this right and proper relationship with God, it is simply a case of our “hanging on by the skin of our teeth,” although we say, “What a wonderful victory I have!” Yet there is nothing at all in that which indicates the miracle of redemption. Launch out in reckless, unrestrained belief that the redemption is complete. Then don’t worry anymore about yourself, but begin to do as Jesus Christ has said, in essence, “Pray for the friend who comes to you at midnight, pray for the saints of God, and pray for all men.” Pray with the realization that you are perfect only in Christ Jesus, not on the basis of this argument: “Oh, Lord, I have done my best; please hear me now.”

 

How long is it going to take God to free us from the unhealthy habit of thinking only about ourselves? We must get to the point of being sick to death of ourselves, until there is no longer any surprise at anything God might tell us about ourselves. We cannot reach and understand the depths of our own meagerness. There is only one place where we are right with God, and that is in Christ Jesus. Once we are there, we have to pour out our lives for all we are worth in this ministry of the inner life.

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June 21, 2012

Journal Entry from June 2011

Lord, thank you for the lesson about love. Thank you for showing me over and over and over again that you love me anyway, regardless of who I am or what I have done…or left undone. And thank you for Your Holy Spirit that allows me to offer this same kind of forgiveness and grace. As I consider the hurts and slights of others, I suddenly notice that you have removed the notion of judgment. Thank You Lord.

And God says…”The supernatural ability to forgive is a gift of faith activated by your desire to leave your judgments behind. My grace becomes a part of your life, actions and relationships as you seek Me and stay in connection with Me. And when you let go of your concerns and judgements you are free to feed my sheep.”

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