Well, lately I have really been struggling to keep my body under subjection as the example set by Paul in 1 Corinthians. And I get so frustrated with myself because is it so elementary….one of the basic disciplines of life….and I still struggle with it immensely to this day. Why is that? How is it that I still cannot have a disciplined life? How do I fall to the same temptations nearly every time?
And then, looking back at my track record, I wonder – will I EVER conquer this? It doesn’t seem likely.
But then, yesterday as I was reading – desperate for a filling of the Holy Spirit in my life – He showed me this:
In Philippians 3, Paul explains to us that he doesn’t let the past bog him down. But forgetting those things which are behind, he presses toward the mark or the goal. What mark? The prize of the high calling of God in Christ! Wow….quite the mark! He then instructs us to have this same mind. Not focusing on the weight that holds us down, but keeping our eyes on the One who has apprehended us – the One who is so great in majesty that He has captured our attention and our being.
And I thought to myself, “isn’t that a beautiful thought,” in partial disbelief that I could ever reach this place in my life. But then, as I continued to read, the final verse in this chapter caught my eye! It was as if the Holy Spirit Himself was standing right there with me, reading it aloud and giving me some understanding – showing me how it applied to my situation at that time! I was in such awe!
“Who [Christ] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
Now, probably Paul is talking about once we get to heaven (since he mentions heaven in the verse above)…I don’t really know. But this is how I saw it apply to me that day when I was so down on myself and felt rather hopeless: first of all, I have a vile body! There is nothing good in me, that is in my flesh. And the thing is, I cannot change it on my own. I have been trying all this time in my own power to make myself “a better person”. When really, not only should it be done in His power, and His working through me, but the purpose should not be just so I can be a better person – having discipline and self control. But that Christ be glorified…in the vile body that He has changed into a glorious body (one that brings Him glory). Because He is the only One that is able to do so…..”whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.”
All things! That’s my God! And He chose to make a way for me to have fellowship with Him! I’m just blown away this morning! He is a merciful and gracious God! He is Almighty, yet comes to where I am, and molds me into something that can fulfill His purpose. What a humbling thought!
