Spirit Man - Mt. Sinai or Mt. Zion

I've already confessed that I am a flannel board Christian - kindergarten variety.  Nothing to me is better than a picture of the Truth.

Imagine standing in front of Mt. Sinai - as Hebrews describes it - smoking with blackness, a terrible sight, because of the holiness of God.  And piercing out of the darkness are the tablets of stone.  "Thou shalt not..."  Oh but it's good - it is absolutely good to love God, have no other gods, love your neighbor, don't steal...what could honestly be better?

Yet right next to the mountain is Mt. Zion and standing in the middle of it is Jesus holding His arms out.  We all see the scars and hear Him speaking:  "I bore it all for you.  There is no way you will be able to fulfill this in yourself.  I have done it.  Come to Me, receive Me, and I will come and live in your heart. My life in you will bring forth fruit - more than you ever dreamed - more, yes so much more.  I go higher than the commandments and your flesh is not able to do it, but I AM."

Wow - this is great.  We all have done this - "Saw Jesus" and received Him - the Perfect Righteousness, the Perfect Love, the Perfect Savior, the One who has made all things new - the One who has and is doing it all in our lives, our thoughts, our walk, our talk, our everything.

What happened?  Another picture.  His children returning to Mt. Sinai.  Why?  Can flesh be better?  I thought flesh was ruined from the fall?  I thought Adam was crucified and now it is Christ, the New Man and us in Him.  (Perhaps a refresher in Galatians we need)

I thought through faith in Him we would realize that newness of His life and experience more than we asked or thought all because of Him in us and us in Him.

Sometimes we need to return to the blessed simplicity of faith in Jesus Himself as children who honestly trust Him.  He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more ABOVE all that we ask or think according to His power Who is working within us."  Ephesians 3:20

Lastly, we HAVE His abiding Spirit within our hearts.  Christ REVEALED in our hearts will so astound us that as also Ephesians 3 tells us - it goes BEYOND knowledge.  The Living One in our heart.

"Oh Lord, refresh us in Who you are and what You have truly came to do for mankind AND what you are doing in us.  And Father, thank you for the flannel board. Amen."

Below are the words to a hymn that I have always loved - we actually had it at our wedding.  Thought I'd share with you today. 

In His Love,

Sue Gaither

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Refrain

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Refrain

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

Refrain

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Refrain

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Refrain

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.