Walk The Line

I heard the most profound and simple statement a few years ago that is proving itself more and more in depth and application, "balance is the key to life". Recently in my walk with the Lord, an awareness of the necessity for balance has been continually at the forefront of my mind. We need balance in a number of areas, mental, physical, relational, and circumstantial.
So what is balance? Websters dictionary describes balance as "An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady." So its safe to say that in order to have balance, something must be "balanced" in two or more equal parts. This could be multiple things, or one thing. The key here is equality.
This couldn't be more true in our walk with Jesus. So often I hear fellow believers teach, preach, and live one side of a two sided truth. I find I am constantly weighing in heavy on one side and light on another. The Word of God is full of two sided, or two dimensional, even multidimensional understanding. Unfortunately, for most of the body of Christ, these dimensions are not recognized, instead, one is heavily favored and the other dismissed or even criticized.
Balance is also mistaken for mediocrity or lukewarmness, as if to strike out adamantly and with full force on one point is more profitable than total understanding, which may take time and more of ourselves. 
This is weighing heavily on my heart, as I see the generations ahead of me that have never learned what it means to know God fully, and I am apart of a generation that is only going to follow in those footsteps unless there is change. And all this being said, I know this is broad and applicable in a number of areas so I will make it more specific.
In my own life I have been experiencing an increasing pressure that seems to be everywhere like a heavy blanket over my life. The Lord has shown me that this feeling has come over time, creeping in and sticking around. Stressful in nature. So in the recesses of my mind I go to the Lord about this often, but lately its been too much to bare. I began to ask God, "What is this?" "What's missing, what's the problem?"And the Lord led me to Romans the seventh chapter. In the second half of the chapter Paul describes a reality of life that many of us live, a waring between our inner man and the flesh. Paul says that in the midst of this battle he has become "...a prisoner to the law of sin which is in my members". Instantly I can identify with this, and while this doesn't offer a solution, it is comforting to know that Lord knows every circumstance.  As I read on, I felt as if I could feel every bit of Paul's journey. And then in the 13th verse of chapter 8 he makes a statement that filled me like a man who's  lost in the wilderness and suddenly finds a compass. Paul writes "..but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. And just like a curtain being pulled back from a huge window, I began to see and realize just how unbalanced my life had become. This one verse can provoke a myriad of other questions, but what the Lord was showing me was how much I had taken myself out of the responsibility, or the partnership that I have made with Jesus. The power of the blood of Jesus does break every chain and every bondage, and nothing can separate us from the love of God, but He also asks us to put to death all the things that are not of him, and to walk in His love. Jesus said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments". The Fear of the Lord is a healthy fear. The truthful understanding of our position with Christ in this journey that we are on is absolutely vital. He has provided us with all that we need if we take the time to learn through loving Him. It is through His precious Word and Spirit that he leads us, speaks to us, guides us, councils us, and loves us.

Romans 8:16 " The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Post by Rob Reilly