Identity crisis!
V23 n38
In the last few newsletters, we have been talking
about how the god of this world blinds the minds of those who fail to make it a
priority of renewing their minds daily, as well as moment by moment within the
Word of God. Thus, why it is so imperative that one follows
the step by step instructions that God has made available to the believer with
His Word. Failure to hear and obey these step by step instructions,
will cause a person to have an identity crisis.
Ezek 34:12, As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (KJV)
John 10:27, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (KJV)
Who does one identify themselves
with? The Word tells us clearly, that he that is not with Him is against Him.
People identify themselves with sports and sports teams. They also identify
themselves with all kinds of causes. Yet, how many will allow themselves to
always be identified with, as well as follow the cause of Christ?
IKings
The
people were mute. They could not but feel the logical force of Elijah's
argument; but they were not prepared at once to act upon it. They wished to
unite the worship of Yahweh with that of Baal-- to avoid breaking with the past
and completely rejecting the old national worship, yet at the same time to have
the enjoyment of the new rites, which were certainly sensuous, and probably
impure. (from Barnes' Notes)
[How
long halt ye between two opinions?] Literally,
"How long hop ye about upon two boughs?"
This is a metaphor taken from birds hopping about from bough to bough, not
knowing on which to settle. Perhaps the idea of limping through lameness should
not be overlooked. They were halt, they could not walk uprightly; they dreaded
Jehovah, and therefore could not totally abandon him; they feared the king and
queen, and therefore thought they must embrace the religion of the state. Their
conscience forbade them to do the former; their fear of man persuaded them to
do the latter; but in neither were they heartily engaged; and at this juncture
their minds seemed in equipoise (in balance), and they were waiting for a
favourable opportunity to make their decision. Such an opportunity now, through
the mercy of God, presented itself. (from Adam Clarke
Commentary)
[And
Elijah came near unto all the people]. After gathering the people of
Two cannot walk together unless they are in agreement. Temporary blindness to the truth of God’s Word, will cause a person to have an identity crisis. This happens because a person is wavering between two opinions or causes. They then have the tendency to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine or such that comes along. This is why a person must learn to study the Word for God’s approval on a moment by moment basis. One must continue in the Word of God at all times, so that it becomes as natural of a process as it is for one to breathe. (One seldom has to think about breathing, and this is how natural the Word of God should be to all of us.) This is the way in which we are to grow up into Him in all things.
Matt 6:24, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (KJV)
Our
blessed Lord shows here the utter impossibility of loving the world and loving
God at the same time; or, in other words, that a man of the world
cannot be a truly religious character. He who gives his heart to the world robs
God of it, and, in snatching at the shadow of earthly good, loses substantial
and eternal blessedness. How dangerous is it to set our hearts upon riches,
seeing it is so easy to make them our God! (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
If
the eye, used here figuratively for one's spiritual understanding, be single
(opposite of "twofold"), not afflicted with double vision in this
matter of treasures —an affliction which is evil —then the individual can
regard riches in their proper perspective. The impossibility of serving two
masters in a slave relationship is a graphic illustration. Mammon.
Though its derivation is uncertain, it appears to be an Aramaic word for
wealth, here personified. Note that Jesus condemns not wealth but enslavement
to wealth. (from Wycliffe Commentary)
The double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. Not because I say so, but this is what the Word of God plainly tells us. As long as a person is wavering between two opinions, they will have a crisis with whom they will identify. They will identify themselves with whomever they deem to be in power or in control. And yet the Word is clear to tell us which doctrine and cause that we as Christians are to follow.
II Jn 1:9-11, Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV)
He who passes over the sacred enclosure, or goes beyond the
prescribed limits; and abideth not in the doctrine.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Compare the superior Greek reading: proagoon (grk 4254).)
In either case, it means that someone is not remaining within these holy
limits, but indulges himself either in excesses of action or passion, hath not
God for his Father, nor the love of God in his heart.
[Hath
both the Father and the Son.] He who abideth in the doctrine of Christ, his
body is a temple of the Holy Trinity, and he has communion with the Father as
his Father, and with the Son as his Saviour and Redeemer. (from
Adam Clarke Commentary)
We are to hold God and His Word to be true, and every man that speaks against it (His Word) a liar. This can only happen when a person’s life and speech is in full agreement with God. There is no in-between or gray area involving salvation. We are either for or against God and His doctrine.
Rom 6:16, Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (KJV)
Do you have an identity crisis this day? Who is it that you identify with?
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka
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