What He Doesn't Want

 

What He Doesn’t Want

Mark 7: 1 – 23

Mark 7:14 “And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:”

     When the Commander says, “Come near, bend an ear, and comprehend,” we are compelled to pause, quiet our thoughts, and open our minds to divine reasoning.

     Why does He get heavy here?  With the backdrop of hypocrisy revealing what holiness wasn’t, Jesus’ heart went full force into words of the revolution He signed on to instigate.  What was killing Man?  The enemy He saw clearly and sought to eradicate its shadowy presence from every person born.

     For instance, it is natural for us to murder.  It is our inborn bent.  If God is love, then Man is hate.  What does it take to change this?  God knows our hearts harbor pillaging pirates.  How could a new benevolent fleet enter our shores?  Only a two-pronged attack will sink Jolly Rogers and gain access to the protected waters.

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” 

     Before God’s navy will assault from the sea, the members inland must burn S.O.S. fires.  And how do the town’s people change their minds to revolt?  Their wills must be turned.

John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

     Hence, the kingdom of God must come to the heartland first.  Hiking the Union Jack on shore means, “Battle on!”  Salvos of cannons beckon a well disciplined Force sailing just beyond the horizon.  With the conjunction of two fronts, the pirate ships have no chance as clashing lights burn the midnight sky.

     Sanctification is the engagement.  Heart’s intent, with coordination of His Spirit, cleans up the strewn mess about the bay.  As long as we want aid, God’s warships are happy to help.  It’s only when we say, “We’ve got this,” does He anchor and wait.

     Jesus knew we needed supernatural help to overcome ourselves. 

Mark 7:20 “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

     There is nothing jolly about these ships which rape our shores leaving them bleeding.  But, we have to want change.  “Enough is enough!”  Being convinced by faith, we rip the old cloth down and hoist our flag of independence.  By free will, the guns of insurrection fire and His armada sails in.

     Jesus works to upset oppressive forces.  The violent battles are subdued as we deny ourselves and welcome His Spirit.  To the extent we cooperate is the condition of our own spirit.  If we want an inviting harbor with calm waters, then we must learn to hate what He hates.  What He doesn’t want are stowaways.  No secrets.  All opposed must be forced to walk the plank.

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