The Deep End – Part 1

This week, Michael writes: Christians are unusual and live contrary to the norms of this world. Holiness means to separate according to the purpose intended by our Designer God. We're set apart for our Heavenly Father's purposes ... for it is God who works in you and I to will and to do of His good pleasure. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which he has foreordained that we should walk therein.

Many Christian guys are reluctant to commit to be a dedicated and devoted disciple of the Lord. At the "shallow end of the pool" are those who have recently come to Christ. Newborn Christians have one foot in the world and one foot in the boat as far as the will of God. When a new man or woman is in Christ, he's a new creation with the spirit of God in Christ in them. However, according to Romans 7, he still has an "old man" nature that wars against the "new man" in Christ.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

At the “deep end of the pool” is the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is the result of walking in the Spirit of the new man or woman. Men and women of God must come to realize that we can "come on in, the water's fine." At the deep end of the pool, even though we can't touch the bottom and it's uncomfortable, we come to a faith-based reliance on the Lord. At the deep end of the pool is where we understand the meaning of trust and faith. At the deep end of the pool, we're giving up our own ways and committing to His way. At the deep end of the pool, we leave behind rational things according to the world's perspective. The rational thing is to rely on our own strength and on our own safe zone. However, the irrational thing is to "let go and let God."

Trials and pain are inevitable in this world. Through the trial the question to ask is, "Lord, what are you teaching me through this trial?" The goal of preaching is to make people "uncomfortable" with the things of the secular world. We need to feel the pain in order to convince ourselves that we need to take our medicine.  For men and women of this godless world, the Word of God is not their friend.  The Word of God separates the sheep from the goats. At the deep end of the pool, people realize that their life is not under their own comfort and control.  

Let’s continue Michael’s message on the Deep end in the next post.

In Christ, Brian