Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in Sidetracked In The Wilderness - # 66
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a BLOG, called Getting Out of the
Wilderness. Why a blog? So that many can receive the weekly thoughts
I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner.
The
last lie of the enemy that Michael exposes and expounds upon is one that I have
witnessed in the past from some who talked a good game, but were as “tinkling
brass” in their life as a Christian. The
very life of God that indwells every Believer longs to flow through each one,
and it is an absolute denial of His existence in oneself to be one who declares
“we need not work” and slinks into passivity.
Lie #9 – WE NEED NOT WORK
excerpt
from pages 187-188 of SIW (5th printing,
March 1998)
excerpt
from pages 189-191 of SIW (14th printing,
March 2012)
(used with permission from
ALMI):
If
we have worked so hard in the past to gain victory, the enemy would now have us
doing nothing at all. The life of faith
is a life of activity, although there is an immense difference in work that is
an expression of our faith and work that is trying to produce faith. The life of Christ within us is always
active. “My father is working until now,
and I Myself am working.” (John 5:17) As
we allow this life to flow, we will be very active. Those who live in passivity, never allowing
the life of Christ to be expressed through them, are simply not abiding.
…for
the abiding Christian…there will be extended periods in which no activity is
overtly seen, but in the deepest parts of his being he is being strengthened
for the day when life within is made apparent in fruit for those around
him. Let me remind you, too, that God
does not intend to resolve every manifestation of the flesh through a quick
answer…we will allow the Lord as much time as He sees fit to make us mighty
oaks. However, the passive believer who
never shows manifestations of life is not abiding, no matter how spiritual he
may sound. True faith cannot help but
produce work; it is inevitable and cannot be blocked, for faith is from God and
possesses His power.
Just
as a tree, by the power of its life, can break in two a mighty boulder beside
which it is planted, so faith is the power within you which will overcome all
obstacles. It is not from you but from
Him. Therefore, if you possess faith, it
will be manifested. We will not allow
the enemy to stifle our faith through the deception of inactivity.
One
of the worst thoughts I have ever heard expressed is that “those who teach
‘abiding’ are teaching passivity.” I am
not sure whether that comes from one who is misguided about what abiding is, or
whether it comes from one who is mad at God about something…perhaps both. Since abiding in Christ is being so connected
to Him that His life can, and will, flow through me…it is inevitable that “my
life” will be an active life, but it is not me, but Him.
I
summarize the most outstanding points for me as such:
·
The
life of faith is a life of activity.
·
The
life of Christ within us is always active.
·
As
we allow this life to flow, we will be very active.
·
True
faith cannot help but produce work.
·
Faith
is from God and possesses His power.
·
Faith
is the power within you which will overcome all obstacles.
·
It
is not from you but from Him.
·
If
you possess faith, it will be manifested.
And
then, as Michael concludes, “We (I) will not allow the enemy to stifle our
faith through the deception of inactivity.”
Well, amen!
Note:
if you don’t have one of Michael’s Sidetracked In The Wilderness books,
please contact ALMI
(www.abidinglife.com) and get one today!
To access ALL past weekly
blogs, go to Getting
Out of the Wilderness by logging onto www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com
NOTICE: another blog…on Michael Wells’ book, My
Weakness For His Strength, called Living Life With a Capital “C”. You can
access by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
(twitter) @bleemc67 (email)
leemccm@gmail.com
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2051 Nacogdoches, Tx 75965 936-559-5696
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