There is a truth that is far more inconvenient and that has far more dire consequences if we ignore it, than climate change. This inconvenient truth will forever change our planet, regardless of who or how many accept it or deny it.
For Christians who have been born again, that is, for those…
- (John 3:5) Born not of the flesh, but of the Spirit
- (John 6:63) Who now live by the power of the Spirit
- (Eph 5:18) Who are being continually filled with the Spirit
- (John 16:33) Who are being led by the Spirit
- (1Cor 12:4) Who are gifted and equipped by the Spirit
- (Gal 5:22) Whose lives display the evidence or fruit of the Spirit
- (1Cor 6:19) Whose bodies are the temple (living space) of the Spirit
our lives are now more spiritual than we may have ever thought.
The inconvenient truth is that if we accept that our lives, our world is now primarily “Spiritual”, then everything changes! Yes, everything!
Why do we prefer to remain Carnal Christians?
This inconvenient truth probably explains why so many Christians prefer to remain carnal, fleshly, or worldly Christians. The stringent demands of a spiritual life and world, can prove quite inconvenient to a carnal Christian.
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.” (1Corinthians 3:1)
The dangers of ignoring this inconvenient truth, are spoken of in Hebrews Chapters 5 and 6:
“5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.
12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Remember, the writer to the Hebrews was addressing a group of people who were the primary carriers of this world-changing message (the Gospel of Jesus Christ). Our fate today, literally rested on their decisions, in that day!
This truth was as inconvenient then, as it is now, it held the same implications then, as it does now.
What are the implications to being inconvenienced by the Truth?
These Christians had embraced an enormous amount of inconvenience as a direct result of what the Holy Spirit had revealed to them. Their finances (given away), homes (communal living), businesses (sold off), families (left behind), future plans (abandoned) were all inconvenienced by this Spiritual truth!
- 1. IT’S ALL SPIRITUAL!
Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified Bible)
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Here’s the first point of inconvenience, the realization and acceptance that we are engaged in a war, with an enemy, in the Spiritual realm.
The difficulties, challenges and opposition we may face in pursuing Godliness, or extending the Kingdom of God here on earth, may in fact be spiritual!
And, even more inconvenient, if they are spiritual, then it demands that we become ‘spiritual’ in how we contend with these issues. This can prove quite inconvenient when you try to explain it to someone, or stop what you are doing to pray, or begin praising God for His victory in your current circumstances.
- 2. IT’S SPIRITUAL WARFARE
2 Corinthians 10 (Amplified Bible)
3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)
To further inconvenience us, not only is our world now primarily spiritual, but we are expected to be actively engaged in warfare with the enemy of our souls!
Look in the mirror, the battleground starts in me!
The battleground of our minds and emotions, our choices and decisions, will decide the outcome of this war. Victory must first be won at GREAT inconvenience, over the world in ourselves, before we can begin to taste victory in the world, outside of ourselves.
3. WE MUST GIVE UP CONTROL:
Romans 8:5 (Amplified Bible)
5For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and [a]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and [b]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.
How inconvenient!! We must become controlled by the Spirit of God in every area. We can no longer float along and be cruizey about our direction and our choices.
We have to train our brains, to be set on the desires of God. It’s not about us anymore, but rather all about Him and His desires. This could inconvenience us quite a bit.
Now, what he decides, goes, where He decides, I go, who He decides goes, must go. How inconvenient this truth could be.
- 4. IT’S DEMANDS CHANGE:
Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)
2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
This inconvenient truth demands that I change, that my entire way of thinking is conforming to God’s patterns on a daily basis.
This demands that I devote myself to knowing God’s ways. It demands that I accept God’s Word as a higher truth than my own views and opinions. It demands that my attitudes to relationships, work, church, family, life… become conformed to the same as God’s views.
Having to humble myself and admit that I was wrong, may prove quite inconvenient at times.
Suffering Saints?
Before we even graduate to persecution or suffering for the sake if the Gospel, we must be willing to be inconvenienced.
It’s hard to take up our cross, if we aren’t willing at some inconvenience, to take up our time, our treasure or our talent for the cause of Christ.
May you be comforted in your inconvenience.