Desertion

As believers, when conflict comes upon us, we manage it only when we return to the Holy Spirit in faith of it's guidance. The rough seas are calmed, and the wind dies away.

Conflict comes with purpose. Conflict whether in mind, body, or environment, challenges us to cling to eternal wisdom, which is always found in the moment we seek it. The Father knows who he has enabled, and therefore, he knows who is only there by their own will or design. And it is these souls that believe they have value because of what they claim to be. Conflict for them is dealt with on human terms, and they defend human solutions because they do not have the truth in them.

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John 6:63-66

63

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

64

Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.

65

He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

66

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

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We see that many deserted Jesus, when he brought them challenge. Through Him the Father created conflict. Throughout his ministry, conflict either drove those around Jesus to cling to him, or to grow to hate him. And to this very moment, those who the Father has enabled to believe in His Son, are hated also. The world does not recognize the works of Spirit without flesh, and these believers carry Spirit and life within them. Conflict separates us by the actions we take.

Ministers face this often. They face conflict constantly, where they either renew their reliance on Spirit, or they fall away. Those who fall away, are no longer relying on eternal wisdom from the Spirit and life, they resort to their own knowledge. This takes the form of scripture based ministry and human judgement. They begin to label people by their sin, just as the Jews did under the Laws that came through Moses. Their ministries, having now no life, and are no longer Spirit led, are ministries of Satan. These ministries are celebrated by the world, and please people, not God. They may claim to believe in Jesus, but unless the Father called them, what they hear they do not understand. So conflict separates them, not by their acts, but by their understanding.

Do not be discouraged by this. What is important is to remember it is you who holds on to faith. Souls are not raised by those around them, but the life they carry within them. It is for each of us to believe, there is no ministry here that can bring salvation. Encouragement, correction, and assistance yes, but conflict is to be met head on by an individual and the faith they carry. This is also unlike the world, who finds its strength and power in numbers.

Alone but Spirit filled, the faith of one can bring holiness through them. The body of Christ is made up of parts that are all led by the head which has authority over the whole body. Alone, one believer can be the hand of God in service of the Father's will. Something that an entire congregation cannot achieve with all its money and influence and desire.

Be encouraged when conflict is set before you, because as a believer that conflict is yet another opportunity to validate your faith. You will lose homes, health, jobs, relationships, authority, namesake, yes. But for those who remain true to the life in them, and gain understanding from the Spirit, peace will follow. This flesh, and the ways of the world are nothing in comparison to what can be gained by your belief in the Christ in you.

The last day of your existence is the day death brings you to judgement. On this last day, let the life your carried forward by your salvation, amen amen, hallelujah, amen.