Living in the Struggle

By Cal Cook

Have you ever wondered why God has made this life so hard? Not that we in the U.S. even have an inkling of what HARD can be, but that the answers to all of life’s questions seem to be just beyond our reach. That even though we may find some help here and there the true meaning of things is left unanswered. The struggle we face in this life is for the most part, left unresolved. We can find refuge from the storm for awhile, yet the battle wages on around us.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of perspective. If you think you’ve got it tough and can’t make it through another day, spend some time with someone else who is struggling. You’ll likely find solace in the fact that you aren’t facing their problems…maybe I can say that because I haven’t faced true despair in my own life. But I have known others who have faced things that would crush me and somehow made it through. I have always found my situation to be not quite as bad when I truly engaged in helping someone else make theirs better.

Now for those who say, “Get your life right with God and you won’t be facing those struggles!” I say, “But for the Grace of God go you.” It’s not that I don’t believe Sanctification is possible…I just don’t trust anyone who says they’ve obtained it! My own personal experience has been just when I think I’ve achieved some level of victory over one area of sin in my life, God reveals a whole other level to me! I’ve shared before how once I was quick with comments about someone else’s stupidity or foolishness. It seemed as if I couldn’t help myself from making some editorial comment about someone else’s actions. I kept praying for a tongue that was under control when one day I had a small victory and was able to keep my mouth shut!

I can remember reveling in my victory thinking “All right, now that you’ve reached that level of holiness your really a good person!” When a flood of revelation came over me…”You still thought the thought…all you did was hold your tongue!” “True love is not condemning them in your heart.” Do you know what I’m talking about? Perfection is what Christ points to:

Matthew 5:22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Do I even need to quote the teaching about adultery Jesus gives next? He say’s even if you’ve thought the thought in your heart it’s the same as doing it in contrast to the righteousness that God demands! Now I can believe that many live a more holy life on the outside than me…but if you look deep into the heart of a man (or woman) you’ll find all kinds of filth lurking there. Jesus tells the Pharisees and teachers of the Religious Law essentially the same thing on several different occasions. Which leads me to believe that if you aren’t living in the struggle it’s because you’ve either given in to the sin on the inside or the out and are justifying to yourself why it’s OK?

Show me someone who thinks they’ve got it all together and I’ll show you someone who is fooling themselves! I have met people in the Ministry who have claimed “look at me and do what I do.” But I stay away from people like that! They are the blind leading the blind! They are false teachers claiming things about themselves that even Jesus didn’t claim!

Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good”

Now in context Jesus is alluding to who He truly is…yet the words still stand…no one is good but God alone! Who are we to claim any goodness? Even Paul who writes these words to the Galatians:

Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Also wrote these words:

Romans 7:15; 24 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do... What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 

I think we’re in pretty good company when we claim no righteousness of our own, when we are more willing to point to our short-comings than our victories. Not that we shouldn’t testify about what God has done in our lives…I’m twice the man I used to be, thanks be to God! But for the Grace of God go I…

Remember Grace can only be granted where fault is seen and repented of. How can you be forgiven things you are proud about? Why would you want it? It’s living in the struggle that Grace has its effect! It’s living in the struggle that we find mercy and forgiveness! It’s living in the struggle that we can find peace…not a peace of our own, but a Heavenly Peace…that surpasses understanding…praise be to God!