(tm) Survival and Security, Worship, and Achievement
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These are the three pursuits of life. Every son of God is tested in each of these areas.
Every healthy human being is intensely concerned about his or her survival and security in the world.
Every healthy human being is intensely involved in seeking that which he or she desires above all else. This is the realm of idolatry, worship, and joy.
Every healthy human being has a desire to express himself or herself by some accomplishment, by some contribution or expansion of his or her personality.
When all is said and done, there are only two ways of behaving in this present world. Either we utilize our own intelligence, strength, and talents or that of other people to gain survival and security, pleasure, and achievement, or else we trust God in His own way and time to provide survival and security, pleasure, and achievement for us. There is no third way to approach life, as far as I know.
The Lord Jesus (as we all are) was tempted with bread (survival and security); with the kingdoms of the world (pleasure) and with jumping from the gable of the Temple (achievement). The Lord passed the three tests by appealing to the written Word of God. The Word is His testimony.
We shall be tested in these three realms, and we too must overcome by adhering strictly to God’s Word. This is how we overcome the accuser.
God has promised us survival and security in the world. Either we will attempt to create our own survival and security or we will trust God’s Word and enter His rest.
God has promised us fullness of joy. Either we will attempt to create our own joy or we will trust God’s Word and enter His rest.
God has promised us fruitfulness and dominion. Either we will attempt to create our own fruitfulness and dominion or we will trust God’s Word and enter His rest.
The three realms are those of worldliness, sin, and self-will. We can flee from trust in the world by calling on the Lord for strength.
We can overcome sin by following the Holy Spirit carefully and confessing and turning away from our sinful passions.
The third realm, that of self-will, is by far the most difficult area of challenge. It is the "mother" of sin, so to speak. Until we are willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus, we cannot possibly be His disciple and we cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
All sin proceeded from the "I will" of Satan. Until through Christ we are able to lay down our life, not seeking to save our life and follow our own will, there remains a door in our personality through which Satan can enter.
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