Stubborn and Aggressive Usurpers

“Men have now by nature, no peace within their hearts, for God is crowned there no longer, but there in the moral dusk stubborn and aggressive usurpers fight among themselves for first place on the throne…  Our Lord referred to this tyranny of things when He said to His disciples,

‘if any man will come after me, I let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.’

-          Matthew 16.24-25

“… it would seem that there is within each of us an enemy which we tolerate at our own peril.”

-          A.W. Tozer

One of the greatest things for me living in community has been the realization of confession and the way it allows me to realize and give up my idols.  Reflecting on our own idols and what is most important to us is difficult; but the rewards are endless.  The joy of communion with our God is unmatched.

It is vital to our soul and spiritual health that confession to one another is constant and those around us give admonishment tempered with scripture and love. 

“You who are younger, be subject to the elders.  Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, be submissive to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”

-          1 Peter 5.5

If we are unable to confess our sins to one another, we suffer from pride.  As for myself, that pride was - and continues to be - one of the greatest things to ever try and overcome.  Finally finding my identity in Christ after all those years of refusing to humble myself before others and bow before His will made me realize the suffering I was really going through.  Being free in Christ and knowing I have been redeemed and He is working in me to complete a good work, I have confidence in confessing my fears, my shortfalls and my rebellion.  Doing so helps me realize how my sin affects others and keeps my steps firm.  I’ll lie to myself, because I’m quick to forgive my own pride and selfishness.  I’ve found others aren’t so quick to celebrate my hate towards them and my Savior.

Being aware of the importance of submission also helps us realize what we hold dearest to our heart.  The sins I struggle to tell others about and want to keep desperately hidden are the idols that need to be broken down the most.  Often times my heart and mind scream at me, “it’s no one else’s business!”  How far from the truth could that be?  Our Lord knows all!  If my sin can be known in His absolute Glory and Perfection, then how could I be ashamed to tell a fellow sinner who violates the law in the same way?

Furthermore, particularly to those who are closest, isn’t it our duty to love freely and without shame?  If we are so private that our grievances against them – regardless of how small they seem to us – are not discussed openly, then how are we actually in community or loving?  Are we not allowing our pride to control our relationships?

Our God created this world and saw that it was not good for man to be alone, without a suitable helper.  We need one another.  It is not enough to try and confess our sins to God alone.  We lie, cheat and are lazy.  We do it to our God and others, but we succeed the most in doing it to ourselves.

We must give up our selfishness and bend our knee to the Christ.  We must crown the living God.  If you refuse now, you will be forced to eventually.  Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess.  Don’t make it hell, ‘suffer’ through the pain of enduring that scandalous grace you’ve been given now!  Deny yourself and stop tolerating your idols.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Fird through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all –

Here in the love of Christ I stand!