From the Lord's point of view, He desires us to be "holy" - set apart unto Him so that we will escape the corruption, slavery, and misery caused by sin.
The way He sees it, He is longing to cleanse us, renew us, and fill us with every good and perfect gift.
From His vantage point, He has seen what deceitful lusts have done to men, so He has provided His very own Spirit to guide us into every good and pleasant way.
Only the mind of the Spirit sees
things from God's point of view.
The mind of the flesh has a completely different point of view. The mind of the flesh sees God's instructions as an attempt to interfere with the freedom to fulfill our own desires.
That's why the flesh wars against the Spirit, because it views God's desire to correct us as hostile interference rather than helpful instruction.
When we are seeing things from God's vantage point, being led by the Spirit is a protection and gracious gift given to guide us into the abundant life God desires for us.
When we view things from a carnal vantage point, God's commands are burdensome and unduly strict and prohibitive.
From the Spirit's point of view, the way of righteousness is life, joy, peace, and rest.
From the flesh's point of view, God's ways are impossible to walk in and His expectations for us are unrealistic.
From the flesh's vantage point, the bible is hard to understand and unappealing, God's people are out of touch with reality, and the whole idea of giving yourself to it is seen as a waste of time.
So, is the way of The Lord hard?
Are God's commands
austere and unrealistic?
It really all depends on your point of view.
Jesus' point of view is that it is a delight to do the Father's will and by coming to Him and learning of Him we will find out just how easy and restful life is.
Those seeing from
God's point of view
see what God is
desiring to do FOR
and IN us;
those seeing from
their flesh's point of view
see only what God
expects and wants
FROM us.
That's why it is life to some and death to others - depending on the point of view.
(today's text from alan)
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