While in Queenstown, New
Zealand, we had the opportunity to take a "safari", which brought us to some of
the popular scenic places that were used to portray "Middle-Earth" in the Lord
of the Rings trilogy. We saw the original filming sites of the Misty Mountains,
the refugees of Rohan, the Battle of the Wargs, the Pillars of the Kings, the
Ford of Bruinen, Isengard, and the Forest of Lothorien, to name a few!
While thinking about all of this, I had to ask myself
if New Zealand would be as popular as it is today, had the Lord of the Rings
trilogy never been filmed there. Of course, New Zealand has always been a
popular tourist spot, and this particular "Lord of the Rings" tour existed under
a different name, and was popular prior to the filming of the trilogy. But when
the trilogy was put into a film, when the world was able to "visualize" the
beautiful countryside, and the spot attracted even more tourists.
In the same way, the Word of God has always been with
us, but in order for us to truly experience it's life-giving power, the Word of
God needed to become flesh (See John 1:14). We needed to "visualize" the Word
through Jesus!
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I
have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)
Jesus brought back the zoe life (zoe is the Greek word for life) that we lost in
Eden, the Breath of Life from God Himself. However, even when we accept this
life-giving force from Jesus, the one that renders our spirit alive again, our
soul may still not be on the same page as our spirit. Our soul may still try to
determine how we act! We need to consciously make the decision, on a daily
basis, to follow real life. Any wavering in our determination will be fatal!
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we
are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Cor 4:16-17
NIV) If we had strongholds in our lives before our conversion, there may
potentially still be some there afterwards. Our spirit was renewed, but our soul
continues to drag its feet, constantly reminding us of our sinful nature, trying
to render us ineffective. Naturally the evil one is taking advantage of this.
This is why it is so important to emphasize the
importance of renewing our soul, or our "mind" as Paul refers to it. Only then
can we truly be transformed through the power of God's Spirit: "Therefore, I
urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will
is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Rom 12:1-2 NIV)
Notice that the apostle Paul is addressing believers
and encouraging them to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This message is for ALL
followers of Christ, and this message is woven throughout the New Testament:
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old
self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the
attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in
true righteousness and holiness." (Eph 4:22-24 NIV)
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the
Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing
glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Cor 3:18 NIV)
For our minds (souls) to be transformed, the garbage
that it contains (its false belief system) has to be replaced by Truth. This can
only be done by constantly meditating upon God's Word, the Bible, and by relying
on God's Holy Spirit. We have to get rid of the lies of the enemy and fill our
mind with the loving Truth of the One who willingly died for us, so that we
could experience real life.
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should
be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does
not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all
moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted
in you, which can save you." (James 1:19-21 NIV)
The Bible is not just any book. It is so powerful that
it will transform us into the people we wish we could be: "For the word of God
is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and
attitudes of the heart." (Heb 4:12 NIV)
"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will
not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the
purpose for which I sent it." (Isa 55:11 NIV)
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives
understanding to the simple." (Ps 119:130 NIV)
It is time we stop listening to our soul's
insinuations and instead, start meditating upon the real life offered to us
through God's Word. Let's start meditating on His Word day and night, declaring
its truth throughout the day, and replace these false beliefs that are hampering
us from attaining full life.
"For you will put a knife to your throat if you are a
man given to desire." Proverbs 23:2 AMP (In the original Hebrew text it uses the
word "nepesh", which literally means soul. The text is really saying "For you
will put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to soul.")
"My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely
to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for
they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body." (Prov
4:20-22 NIV)
Confession is much more than confessing our sins, it's
also literally "to speak the same words" (from the Greek word "homologia"). Or
in order words, we need to meditate upon what God says about us in His Word by
repeating it over and over in our minds, by "muttering" it, by deliberating upon
it. Yes, the Bible REALLY IS that important!
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."
(Heb 4:14-15 NASB)
"Let us hold fast the
confession of our hope without wavering." (Heb 10:23 NASB)
Many only quote Bible verses mechanically over and
over again. I know about this because I have done it myself many times. And when
we do anything mechanically, there usually aren't any results: "You search the
Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is
these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may
have life." (John 5:39-40 NASB)
Why aren't there any results?
Again, the Word has to become flesh to become
effective, and this can only happen by relying on its author: God's living Holy
Spirit. Instead of desperately hanging on to our false belief systems, we need
to allow the Holy Spirit to give us life by letting Him give us understanding,
and by following His directions. Only then will our confession or "homologia"
become effective.
Real life is only possible in the way that God set up
for us. There is no other way! (See John 14:6)
There sure is beauty in the country where the Lord of
the Rings was filmed!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.