Luke 14:7-11
The real you often does not resemble the person that is
exposed to those around you; the public you.
The real you is your mind, not your brain, your will, and your
emotions. All of us show-up on planet
earth with spirits that are dead to God, and we show-up with flesh that wants
to rule, if you doubt that have you ever seen a baby that is considerate of
their mother. The answer is no, when
they are wet they want it fixed, when they are hungry, they want food, and the
list keeps going. And if you are still
not convinced, go watch a group of two year olds, it’s all about them, and they
were never taught to be mean spirited, but they sure are good at it.
Today we need to look at the flesh, for the Scriptures address
it often, these are just a couple of examples: In the book of Philippians 3:3 “… and put no confidence in
the flesh -….”. And in Ephesians 5:15 we are told “Be very careful,
then how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.” And
look at Romans 8:7-8, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God,
for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
(Romans 8:7-8) Verse eight is
very convicting to me for my unique version of the flesh is much like these
Pharisees and lawyers Jesus is addressing at this dinner.
As you read the
words of Jesus do a self examination; “Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he
noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are
invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor,
lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited
you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then
you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited,
go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you,
‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who
sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he
who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11 ESV)
It has been rare
when I’ve been asked to move to the head table, but my flesh wants to be in the
place of honor, that is my unique version of the flesh, and it’s a choice, submit
to God, or honor the flesh, and guess what, God is not into a redo, or makeover,
no His plan is to kill it, and we have the choice, (Will) must rule over mind
and emotions, for in the will we have the victory of submitting to the Spirit
of God. The victory is found in Romans
8:5, “For those
who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to
the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” It is all about where we set our
minds! And if it was not possible to set
our minds then God would be setting us up for failure, and He could not be
trusted, but all who have a personal relationship with Christ know Him to be
good and trustworthy, a keeper of His promises.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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