July 25, 2004

Saving Dylan

Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. —John 9:3

Bible In One Year: Psalms 37-39; Acts 26

The baby lay critically ill in the hospital, fighting to breathe. He had pneumonia, which made staying alive a struggle for his 8-month-old body. Doctors, nurses, and his family fought to save this weak baby boy.

Some people say he should never have made it to 8 months of age. Others say this precious child should not have been allowed to be born, or that he should have been left to die after he was born.

Why would anyone say this? For one simple reason: Dylan has Down syndrome. Through no fault of his own or of his parents, my great-nephew has an extra chromosome, and he will face some added struggles in his life.

But isn’t his life worth as much as the life of a sick baby with an extra chromosome? Are we not all of equal value in the eyes of our Creator? Aren’t we all deficient in some way? Our lack of perfection should remind us that no one has the right to judge another’s worth.

Our imperfections are opportunities for God to work in our lives. That’s what Jesus told His disciples when they asked why a man had been born blind. He said it happened so that“ the works of God should be revealed in him”(John 9:3).

We’re seeing God work in Dylan’s life. That’s what he’s here for-just like the rest of us. —Dave Branon

People in whom the world sees no value,
But only a burden to bear,
Teach us great lessons of God’s sovereign power—
He loves them as treasures so rare. —Carbaugh

If God didn’t have a purpose for us, we wouldn’t be here.

Anyone struggling with feelings of "unworthiness" and "I'll never measure up?"
Pray over and over for God to deliver and cleanse us?
Of course - we all do ---

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Your Honor, today came the latest Elijah List with an excellent and most profound article from Kathie Walters addressing this topic!
It relates to the fact many "Christians" struggle year after year with petitions to God to cleanse them from their "filthy rags," better known as sins....and forgive them.

Regard these excerpts/observations from a vision she had:

"people [in churches] were struggling, struggling, and struggling with problems that they had had for YEARS - 6 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years! It was amazing to me.

Then I saw something really clear - something I preach all the time. So much teaching and preaching is geared to try and change the old man (that's that stinky-rags man).
People wrestle around trying to change the old man for years and years and never really get delivered, so they never feel "qualified" to receive their inheritance in God - the amazing wonderful realm of the Holy Spirit. "

"It's like being in one of those mud wrestling matches which you can never win, and you can NEVER get out of the mud because, as you struggle, you just sink further in. Oh my!"

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Did you realize that when JESUS died on the Cross that He never died to try and change or improve the old man? If the old man could be improved JESUS NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED would He?

In Romans, chapter 6, it says, "You were crucified with Christ." It does not say "trying to be," nor "hoping to be."

When Jesus went to the cross, He took that old man with Him. He made provision for you to walk IN THE NEW MAN BY FAITH. He already gave you a new heart and put a right spirit within you; He put His desires in your heart, so that the will of God is delightful to you.

There is nothing you can do to change or improve that old man, so quit trying. Trying can be very trying, can't it?"

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"The Spirit Does the Changing - Not You or I

In II Corinthians, chapter 3:17-18, it says:

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is LIBERTY (freedom)."

Freedom from what? Freedom from the penalty of sin, freedom from the power of sin, freedom from sin-consciousness, and freedom from self-consciousness.

The Holy Spirit is the revelator; He comes and delivers us and brings us into a God-conscious realm. Not sin-conscious, not self-conscious.

"As we behold the glory of the Lord," the Bible says, "we are changed from glory to glory, even as by the SPIRIT OF THE LORD."

It is the SPIRIT WHO DOES THE CHANGING - NOT YOU OR I. For you are "His workmanship." And "He which began a good work in you will perform it." HE WILL, NOT WE WILL. In Jude it says that "He (Jesus) is going to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." He is going to take your hand and present you to His Father and say, "Look, Dad, at what I have done." Not you or I, not your prayer partner, or even your husband or wife, and not even your pastor is going to get the glory for YOU. You are HIS WORKMANSHIP. You will be exactly the same as Him through no work of your own."

"It's yielding, not trying and striving.
"He that has entered into His rest has ceased from his own works" (Hebrews 4)

"I gave up trying to be holy years ago and decided to get into His holiness instead! It is SO WONDERFUL - SO AMAZING. It is "LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING. JOY FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH COME DOWN," as it says in the old English hymn. Salvation is all of Him, from start to finish."

"Jesus delivered you from that old man; He gave you a new start, a new beginning, you were BORN AGAIN. You know that old mess that hangs on you and condemns you and tells you that you will never get free? Well, THAT'S NOT YOU. All that old stuff was crucified on the cross. YOU ARE a new creation."

"Walk in the new man by faith - it's not hard, but you have to believe what Jesus says. Stop listening to stuff that brings you into bondage instead of setting you free. Stop listening to the devil. Stop walking in the old man who is dead and stinks. Get him buried (Baptized). Remember what I saw...All your righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Did you know you are adopted into the Royal family of God? Taken out of darkness, into the kingdom of God's dear Son? That's right - the Royal family. You are a royal princess or prince. You can walk uprightly and boldly before Him, the Father's child, the Beloved's sweetheart. It's time to rise up, beloved, and come away.

I'll leave you with some words from John Wesley's hymn:

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"

"Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love and praise."

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STOP STRUGGLING and nagging and truly YIELD ---

and then accept that God hears you,
and Jesus has already paid the price for you to stand before Him!