Psalms 119:136
"Mine eyes run down with rivers of water, because they observe not Thy law."
Psalms 119:143
"Trouble and anguish have overtaken me; yet Thy commandments are my delight."
Psalms 119:176
"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; for I have not forgotten Thy commandments."
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This vessel, this flesh, describes our weaknesses. Our senses leave us open to temptation, our heart abandons reason for passion, our minds describe purpose by knowledge. All these things work in opposition to a path that serves righteousness. This is not a mistake, or a cruelty of the Most High, no. This is the very distinction of our rank.
Mankind, unlike angels, have to overcome themselves in order to act on faith. This is why Paul said what he said:
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1 Corinthians 6:3
3
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
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In order for the righteousness of God to be brought into the moment, we must have confidence that it is available to us when we deny ourselves, for love's sake. As love is selfless, what judgement comes through us is of God, and not of our knowledge, nor based on our instinct, nor supplemented by our senses. Mankind is in the darkness, yes. But the light that a believer carries transcends that darkness, and their faith in that light is what defines the path Christ set out for us.
It is the Holy Spirit, this Spirit of Truth, that is the righteous guidance that is supplied through those who deny themselves for love's sake. The Holy Spirit is what places righteousness in our hearts and upon our minds, so that it can be the guidance or council in the moment. As Jesus clearly said:
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John 14:13-17
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
15 “If you love me, keep my commands.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
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(NOTE: When Jesus said, 'in my name', this is like saying 'by my authority'. So when you pray 'in Jesus name', you must remember this. It is not that his name holds power, it is that his authority is without bounds.)
The world cannot accept the Spirit of Truth because existence is set in the actions that are of this physical realm. As our bodies were first created from the elements of earth, mankind also cannot see nor understanding the limitless unseen qualities of the Holy Spirit. But this also was the will of the Most High, as the result of faith is the bringing of righteousness into the world through these serving vessels.
So as you struggle, as your eyes wander into sin, as your heart strays into desire, as your mind falls into wickedness, you are best to remember this. Remember that every trial is set before you to overcome. Remember every temptation is to show you where there is weakness, so you may defeat it by seeking strength from the unseen qualities of God. And yes, remember that we you fail, you are under grace so that you may repent and have your repent heard, so that you may then produce actions worthy of that repent. All these trials and tribulations when overcome with faith, honor the Father through His Son.
It is not our failings that define us, it is our capacity to grow in the Father's righteousness that defines us. While we are here, the battle is within ourselves to rely on the Spirit of Truth, that same Spirit that has already overcome the flesh, conquered the enemy, and overcame death. To rely on this Spirit because of our belief in Christ Jesus, is to be of the body of that Salvation. The lampstand, the light we carry in the darkness of this vessel, in a world that is witness to it.
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