Observation: As the author of Hebrews discusses entering into the ultimate Sabbath rest - the one where, when we enter into the Lord's rest, we are freed from all work - he ties that rest to obedience. Obedience is, of course, obedience to the word of God, aka the Law, which is harper than any double-edged sword, and this description becomes a famous metaphor for the word. Imagery of long sword emerging from Jesus' mouth are even common, and such swords have qualities that make them dangerous such as their weight and ability to cut no matter which direction they're swung.
However, the write then says what types of items and divided by such a sword ... the word of God. One is finding division between one's soul and spirit. Another is cutting apart physical body parts like limbs and bones, and the last is separating one's thoughts from their intentions. These are some interesting examples.
The first - finding division between one's soul and spirit - has logic. people often find their own soul and motivations in conflict with the direction of the Holy Spirit, and need to reconcile that. Many times, we with for alignment and therefore believe that our will MUST be spirit-inspired, and that's where this sword can divide and find the truth, when we discover our will is in conflict with God's word.
The second, the division of the body, is more confusing, but certainly must imply an analysis of physical acts and deeds. It seems this is a way of assessing if the work of our hands and feet comply with what the Lord commands us to do in his word.
The third is finding the difference between thoughts and intentions. This is actually quite deep. We often think of the delta between our thoughts and deeds (or words) to be a place to examine within ourselves. However, this takes that conversation even deeper, into an examination of thoughts ... but instead of looking at the next layer 'outward' of our resulting actions, we are to look a layer 'inward' at the intentions and motivations and triggered those thoughts. It's like thinking you want to help poor people ... instead of judging yourself on the criteria of if you then go volunteer at a food bank, your examine the motivation of why you want to help poor people, if it is to make yourself feel good, because you can boast of your service hours to others, or because you are heartbroken for those in need.
Application: As I think of how this applies to myself, I discover a deep truth. I want to be better and more obedient, however I keep examining my thoughts and praying for the Lord to capture those thoughts so I will then perform in accordance with them. I need to think deeper, and examine my motivations. More importantly, I need to find the emotional connection to those motivations that will therefore impel me to proper thinking, then doing.
I do know that my greatest motivation in life is that I love God, and am grateful for the salvation he gave me even when I didn't nearly deserve it. He came and found me when I had written him off. I am motivated by a debt I feel for that, and for the great love he has shown me that I want to give back in the meager ways I can. However, even what I just said there ... it almost sounds disincentivizing. It's like I know I can't do or say enough, so even though my motivation in to love God with all my being, I already feel like I can't succeed because whatever I do will be insufficient. Therefore, I don't push into those feelings strongly enough, and that trickles down into my thoughts and works not being ideal.
I need to trust the very difficult idea that God loves me and thinks I'm awesome. Even as I write that, I think "well I know that's not true". However ... somehow ... in ways I cannot possible fathom ... it is true. His sword says so.
Prayer: Lord, thank you. I am so very, very aware of my failures, and I do not understand why you love me. However, I will attempt to believe that more and more, and thus make my motivation for doing your will more and more meaningful. Thank you. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment