THE SECRET PLACE
Salvation is all about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
PART 41
IMAGINE WHAT WE ARE MISSING

When we hold a tiny baby in our arms, do we consider how devoted they will be to God, or do we just see the physical possibilities? All of us as Christians have the opportunity to become as spiritually sensitive as we desire but only a handful will choose the life of “walking” in His spirit. The only obstacle that is keeping us from living in this level of sensitivity is – the desire to please our flesh. We find a perfect example of this level of seriousness in Luke Chapter two. This glimpse into the lives of these people reveals that we have the potential to discern things that are hidden from our natural eyes. Mary and Joseph was bringing baby Jesus (probably no older than three months) to be dedicated at the temple according to the Law of Moses. A man named Simeon was a spiritually dedicated man of prayer and fasting as he is mentioned in verse 25 as being, “righteous and devout with the Holy Spirit upon him”. God had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the face of the Messiah. On the very same day that Mary and Joseph went to the temple, Simeon was led to encounter the “divine appointment” of meeting this family. When he looked at the baby, he reached out and held him and said, “For with my eyes I have seen your (the Father’s) salvation.” He prophesied over the child and even though Mary and Joseph were already aware of how special Jesus was, they still marveled at the words of Simeon. But allow us to consider that this man would NOT have “recognized” Christ if he had not been walking in holy sensitivity! Why do we refuse to consistently live in the spiritual realm with God? Because our flesh does not want to meditate on what we have been called to do.

There was also a prophetess named Anna who worshipped God in the temple night and day with prayers and fasting. It just so happened that she was there that day and also recognized baby Jesus as The Christ The Son of God. She began to tell the crowd about how this child would be the redeemer of God’s elect. Now I realize that older people always go on and on when they see a baby and say things like, “they are really going to be special” and emotional comments like that, but this was definitely different. People might have thought, “Now isn’t that touching, a nice elderly lady (eighty four years old) and a tiny baby” and went on about their business. This is because they were NOT walking in spiritual discernment and could not “perceive” spiritual reality (in this case God was right in front of them). This is same blindness that infected the Pharisees which prevented them from being able to know the difference between Jesus THE Christ and a blasphemer.

We know deep down that we are to be living in this level of spiritual awareness but we are weak and easily distracted. I have a question; if we are to be living such a sensitive life where we really “see, hear and know”, then what will be the consequence if we refuse? By thinking, feeling, deciding, and walking in the flesh, we are literally (intentionally) rebelling against Him. We are not walking in His will and we are not accomplishing His destiny that He has planned for us. How could He possibly be pleased with us if we are not listening or obeying? Of what use are we to the Father if we are not interested in hearing His voice? Being devoted TO HIM is all about faithfulness FOR HIM. If we live the way WE choose, we become a “non-factor” for Him and His kingdom. Within the sin of omission is the sobering thought that God is hurting and disappointed from all the things that might have been IF we had taken our Christian responsibility seriously. It is true that a religious lifestyle is popular and very comfortable because it only focuses on what is easy and happy. However, front-line spiritual warfare is a lonely life of sacrifice that is dedicated to manifesting the image of Christ in all things.