“The Grace of Loss” Part 4

    “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39).

     The fleshly, worldly life we must lose tells us that circumstances, situations, conditions and people determine the fulfillment of our hearts.

     The spiritual life we find in the Lord Jesus Christ declares that He and He alone determines the contentment and satisfaction of our hearts.

      “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

     Things, circumstances and people certainly affect us, but they do not determine us unless we allow them to do so.  It is vital that we build an altar within our hearts, as it were, an altar whereupon we sacrifice the deception that outward realities determine the joy and peace of our hearts.  They do not.  Christ alone provides such fulfillment. 

     “Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy… My peace I give unto you” (Psalm 43:4; John 14:27).

     When things are going well, and people are being kind to us, let us rejoice in such blessing without being distracted from the Blesser Himself.  When times are hard and people are unkind, let us not think that we cannot rest in peace, and experience joy.  We will feel the emotions, think the thoughts, and know the physical sensations that come with the experiences of life.  Through Christ, however, believers can transcend the natural by the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit within us, and the response of faith that affirms the Source of our joy and peace.

      “Heavenly Father, You and You alone are the Life of our lives, and the contentment of our hearts.  This we believe.  We will be tempted often to think otherwise, however, and too often in the past we have succumbed.  Thank You for Your merciful patience, and Your ongoing work to direct our hearts toward their only source of fulfillment.  And thank You for so great a Savior, who died to save us from our idolatry, and arose to fill us with His all-sufficient life.  Grant grace in this day that we might remember and affirm, Christ only, Christ always, Christ forever!  In His name we pray, Amen.”

“The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

(Romans 8:2)

“I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

(Philippians 4:11)