Consider two more stories that surface a response to circumstances from our SOUL and SPIRIT. Remember that Soul in these illustrations refers to the unconverted soul, the Spirit to God’s Image in our mind.
First, a young solder in WWI sang praise to war, thinking “every minute here is worth weeks of ordinary experience.” He moaned a different tune a few days later, complaining of “not leading the life of men, but of animals” in the filthy, wet, vermin-infested trenches. Like the soldier, Christians sing happy songs when life sails along under benign breezes. But chant dirges of regret when gales blow and threaten harm. Soul then throws a pity party. “I thought being a Christians would be a lot easier than it is.” In response, the spirit in us replies, “I didn’t know life would be easier by accepting Christ, but I’ve found it better. I have better goals and perspectives, make better decisions and possess far superior values than before. It doesn’t matter how hard life becomes, because Jesus is with me and endures it in the yoke matching mine. I find that God’s will is good, even when life is bad.” Second. The Polo’s returned to Italy from China after a 20 year absence. No one recognized them since they wore peasant clothes far past new; had been gone so long; and were not expected. Within a few days the Polo’s held a banquet and invited “all who mattered” in Venice. During the festivities they wore, or handed others, new changes of clothing; had passed dish after dish of delicious food; filled cup after cup with sparkling wine. Then, as a coup de maître (masterstroke), ordered the foul Tartar clothes brought in, linings ripped out, pockets torn open, spilling on the floor rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds, gifts from the Kubla Khan. Washington Irving Works, Appendix, 696-697 Like the Rich Fool of Luke 12, Soul clamors, “Get all you can, anyway you can, before someone gets it ahead of you.” The Spirit replies, “I don’t have to GET anything better than my body and brain. For I am already better than they. I’m free inside my mind by the grace of Christ that liberates me from sin’s presence and penalty. And while now imprisoned in this body and limited by this brain, I shall, when Jesus returns, become the SOMEONE my spirit presently IS. And from that instant, on forever, I’ll be free to rule the body that has so long dominated me and the brain that has so long limited me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Based on these illustrations, ask yourself:
Each person determines the answer. Each person’s answer determines his relationship with Christ. Fini
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