THE WALK
PART 16

THE WALK OF CLARITY

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to not only diagnose someone else’s problems but to (secretly) be convinced of what they should do to correct them? Some might argue that casting judgment is wrong because the idea is that God is the only one who really knows the motives and reasons behind everyone’s actions. But, in the spiritual realm we cannot deny an extension of a holy sensitivity called discernment. While the bible reminds us to pull the beam from our own eye, it also includes the reality of having the mind of Christ, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 2:5) So if we allowed God to transform our mind into His view then we could begin to see our own heart and judge ourselves with HIS wisdom “before” we try to fix everyone else. This thought dawned on me at 4:00 am as I was on the way to work the other day. I was talking to God and just thinking about how it seemed that all problems could be corrected if we could truly SEE OURSELVES. For most of us, we take on the role of psychiatrist except when it comes to us. Why is that? Because we are not listening or watching our actions through the ears and eyes of God, but rather are seeing what we “want” to see.

Stepping outside our self and closely observing who we really are can help us see our self the way God sees us. We have heard of self-examination but most have never understood HOW to do this. When we are looking out of our eyes we see others and imagine how everyone else needs to change. But we must embrace the revelation that it is crucial to “step out” of ourselves and actually watch how we live. In this level of sensitivity we can begin to critique and judge our self with the same standards that we diagnose everyone else. We know that God will judge everyone but if we cannot judge our own life then we must not consider judging anyone else as the Word say’s, “Judge not lest you be judged. For with what judgment (criticism) you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you give out, it shall be measured back to you.” (Mathew 7:1-2) It is time to understand how to “spiritually see” and what the request, “open the eyes of my heart” really means. Is that what you really desire in life? If we do not have a burning passion to change into His image and live HIS destiny – it will not happen! I have always believed that it meant to allow us to see more of Jesus but maybe we can only see as much of Him as we have advanced in our spiritual relationship with Him. Moses wanted to see more of God and I believe because of His faith and humility he was allowed to see more than the average follower. Again, if we are only looking “out” from our eyes we may miss the most important “inward” miracle that needs to be manifested and that is Christ in US the hope of glory. Let us step away from our self to “see” if we can notice Christ in us. Since we are so sharp in discerning and deciding on how people are, why would we not be excellent at knowing what our faults are and how to correct them? Isn’t this what “change” is all about? If we could develop a higher level of awareness with what we say and do, maybe we would be disgusted to the point of not wanting to be that person anymore. If there is even a spark of Jesus in us, then it would give us and those who see Him the blessing of God’s glory and presence. Just because we are saved and have His Spirit within us does not mean that we will automatically shine with His glory. Jesus is “revealed” when we make a conscious effort to be like Him! This will only happen when the passion to change becomes greater than the desire to remain the same. Selah.

One major reason why people have never truly seen themselves is because they have never really seen or known Jesus. I am not referring to the natural eyes but the eyes of the spirit. Do you ever meditate about Him and try to focus your attention on Him with your spirit? It is difficult to concentrate on someone we have never seen or audibly spoken with but that is exactly what is necessary if we are to grow strong in our intimate relationship with Him. What is all the hype about “vision” in the Christian vocabulary? And just what are we trying to have a vision of? Well, the idea of vision might be packed with many things that we dream about doing or would like to see accomplished but allow me to say; if our vision and spiritual expectation is not to “see” Jesus with our heart and learn how to be like Him, then our vision has fallen into a lower place of significance. If we continue to climb upward on the steps to heaven and continue to grow and build on who He is, we will by His gracious love be transformed into His image.

“And Jesus, when He was baptized, went straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. (Mathew 3:16-17) Why was Father pleased? Because Jesus did everything according to God’s will! Not as a robot – but as someone who’s eyes and heart were fixed on God. He was all man – all God, and as a man He had choices to make, He had emotions and a free–will just like you and I. He was not on vacation, visiting earth and showing off His miracle power just so He could be popular! He was demonstrating as an example to us how to live and what was also “required” of everyone that professed to be a follower of His Kingdom. He kept His spiritual eyes on the prize of the high calling and did not allow His flesh gain the dominant control. Our un-renewed mind is the carnal control center that gives the orders unless there is a change in command. Selah. As a person looks deeply “into” Christ (which is The Word) they will see how the purity of His brightness reflects not only how we are – but how He dies for us to be. Is this why most everyone does not want to seek His face? Now we know why religion is so much more popular than being a disciple. Oh, we don’t mind to do things for the “cause” or give an offering but that is not the same as “pursuing” Him. It is very sad that most Christians are not really interested in seeing God at all or even thinking about Him because they do not want to change. Most people want to live life exactly like they are and then add a little religious morality to it. This is a great way to customize our own version of what we feel good about but it is a far cry from surrendering our will and following God’s planned destiny for us. When we “create” our own little world of comfort and security we fall into a deceptive role reversal. He is supposed to be the potter and we are to be the clay but if we make all the decisions and build Him the way we want to imagine Him then we have made Him in OUR image. When He has been reduced to look like us and accept our choices, we can now understand how the masses are “blind” to their need for personal change. “Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I (Jesus) will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity (sin).” (Mathew 7:22-23) What happened? How can this be? The following passages talk about how crucial it is to build our life on the foundation of God’s truth but these people believe they did! So, what or who were they focused on? Obviously they were not looking to Jesus and consequently could not or refused to see their own reflection in Him. They did not know who they were IN CHRIST because they did not know Christ! It is time to take a personal inventory and make sure we are WALKING in His Divine reality. Selah.