Friday: Further Thought ~ Struggling With All Energy
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White, “The Night of Wrestling,” Pages 195-203, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “Consecration,” Pages 43-48, in Steps to Christ.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but to the utter ruin and misery of man.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 515.
“In order to receive God’s help, man must realize his weakness and deficiency; he must apply his own mind to the great change to be wrought in himself; he must be aroused to earnest and persevering prayer and effort. Wrong habits and customs must be shaken off; and it is only by determined endeavor to correct these errors and to conform to right principles that the victory can be gained. Many never attain to the position that they might occupy, because they wait for God to do for them that which He has given them power to do for themselves. All who are fitted for usefulness must be trained by the severest mental and moral discipline, and God will assist them by uniting divine power with human effort.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 248.
Discussion Questions:
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In the background to this week's lesson study we have the story of Jacob's endurance in his all night struggle with God. Interestingly the fight starts off as a physical fight. I presume, given the circumstances, Jacob initially thought he was in the fight of his life with his brother, or one of his enforcers. Somewhere during the night, he realised that the fight was not so much a physical fight, but a fight with God, himself, and the insecurities he was carrying. The fight was no longer physical, but a mental and spiritual one. But it wasn't until he was physically exhausted that he came to that realisation and was in a state of mind where he could accept God's blessing. His protagonist became his blesser.
I like the twist in the story of Jacob's fight, from a physical no-win situation, to a moment of spiritual realisation and a leap in understanding. Paul had a similar experience. He was fighting against God and needed to physically fall off his donkey and be struck blind before he understood his misconceptions and gained a new vision and direction.
How often do we find ourselves in a fight with God? And do we grow out of the experience?
Struggling with all energy is a bizarre, paradoxical state of experience when you reflect upon it. When we are struggling, particularly when the struggle is ongoing, we are typically running short on energy. So how is it possible that we can struggle with all energy?
The only way we can do this is to have someone supplying our energy on an ongoing basis. And that is what God promises to do for us if we will allow Him (Philippians 4:13,19). However, not only does God provide the energy, He also provides His ongoing, abiding, indwelling presence to encourage and sustain us (Matthew 11:28; 28:20; Galatians 2:20; John 17:20). Often we can get so caught up in the struggle we are facing, that we can forget that we are not alone.
And then there is the benefit of support that authentic (Christian) community is also intended to provide (Ecclesiastes 4:11-12; John 13:34-35).
When we, like Jacob, surrender trying to struggle in our own strength and instead redirect that strength to desperately seeking God for His presence and strength (Mark 12:30), then the impossible becomes doable - not easy, but doable (1 Corinthians 10:13). And hopefully, you also have access to prayer support and encouragement that authentic Christian community is intended to provide. If not, perhaps/hopefully your participation in this forum can help you feel less alone and disconnected.
Study asks:
what extent do you think that we actually recognize that our wills were “at the Fall given into the control of Satan”?
Romans 11:32
For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Proverbs 1:20
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.
I remember when I was a kid, I got a sling to be part of the neighborhood boys that would sling stones at birds. The boys were proud of their hits, however, When I injured a little bird, I was devastated. It was the earliest moment of a conscious experience of guilt and sorrow and sin. I threw my sling away and nursed the little bird back to health. I was so happy he recovered and flew away again.
In retrospect, I came to understand over the years that Wisdom/Jesus by the Spirit, convicts me in my conscious of my bad deeds.
Romans 6:20
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.
I/We are all born slaves of Sin, Since Adam and Eve lost their walk with God, aka fellowship in hearts and minds, Godly motivation, through the Holy Spirit.
And that's what I/We need to overcome Satan, Sin and death/mortality.
Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
I don't believe in OSAS (once saved always Saved)
The process of Sonship of God, is to recognize that we need help, a savoir, (regardless of not knowing all the powers of Good and Evil in our physical and Spiritual environment condition.)
And this is our current condition.
But we have Christ in us, the HOPE of Glory
Colossians 1:27
27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Keep on trucking (meme)
Shalom in HIS peace that surpasses all understanding.
Philippians 4:6-7 🙏
Further to the texts I mentioned earlier this week - Philippians 2:13 and 2Peter 1:3-4 - here is one of my favourite quotes from EG White. I believe the way to become overcomers is to daily spend time concentrating on learning more about the character of the LORD, and surrendering our will to Him, then we can say with Paul it is no longer I but Christ working through me.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.
Desire of Ages, 668
… to pray in Christ's name means much. It means that we are to accept His character, manifest His spirit, and work His works. The Saviour's promise is given on condition. “If ye love Me,” He says, “keep My commandments.” He saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and those who love Him will show their love by obedience.
All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.
As Christ lived the law in humanity, so we may do if we will take hold of the Strong for strength. But we are not to place the responsibility of our duty upon others and wait for them to tell us what to do. We cannot depend for counsel upon humanity. The Lord will teach us our duty just as willingly as He will teach somebody else. If we come to Him in faith, He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Our hearts will often burn within us as One draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will know, after presenting their case before Him, just what course to pursue. And they will receive not only wisdom, but strength. Power for obedience, for service, will be imparted to them, as Christ has promised.
Desire of Ages p 668.3
I like this in your comment:
All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.
And so...
Wisdom #shouts# in the streets. She #cries out# in the public square.
Proverbs 1:20
Jesus has been wooing us all our life, to impart wisdom that is needed in his Father's children.
Hebrews 12:23
Thank you 🙏