This past Sunday I compared the thrill of getting closer and closer to Jesus with reaching the peak of Mount Everest. It’s an adventure but nothing short of reaching the summit will ever suffice for those who dare to climb the world’s highest peak.
Similarly, nothing compares to spending time with Jesus–getting closer to the Savior. With that in mind, anything that prevents this ought to be chucked out the window! Seriously, if it ain’t helpin, it’s hurtin! Get rid of it. Let nothing stand in the way of you and the Lord. Hebrews 12:1 says,
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”
As I thought about this whole ‘journey to Jesus’ this week it looked like the author of Hebrews (most likely, Paul) was contradicting what he said to the Galatians. In Hebrews it almost looks like he’s advocating going after the affects of our behavior again, whereas in Galatians he’s telling us the only way to lvie victoriously is to kill the flesh.
Which is it?
It’s both.
Using the climbing analogy again, I’ve noticed that on one hand, the closer climbers get to the summit the less the ‘stuff’ they brought along seems to matter. They’ll cast anything but the essentials aside if it’s weighing them down or in any way hindering the climb—and they may or may not get it back on the way down—either way, it hardly matters as long as they reached the summit—remember, the summit is their ultimate goal.
On the other hand, while they are not paying attention, frostbite is a real and constant danger—they’re almost always near at least ‘stage one.’
- Stage One Frostbite = referred to sometimes as, “Frostnip”: A pins and needles sensation is felt in the affected area. The skin is usually white and blotchy in color. It does not cause permanent damage and usually can subside by soaking in warm water. Never use hot water.
- Stage Two = also referred to as, “Superficial Frostbite”: The skin looks purplish, will feel waxy and frozen to the touch and blisters may appear. Ice crystals are forming in the skin cells, causing the area to become a hard, solid mass. This damages nerve endings, blood vessels and muscle tissue.
- Stage Three = referred to as, “Deep Frostbite”: This is the last and most serious stage of frostbite. In this stage, tissue will be frozen through to the bone, causing blood clots and gangrene. In most cases, when frostbite reaches this stage amputation is usually the prognosis. If medical attention is received as soon as possible, the frozen limb may be saved.
Obviously, frostbite is undesirable for the climber—it kills the flesh. For the believer; however, it’s exactly what Paul said should happen in Galatians 5:24,
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus(A) have crucified the flesh with its(B) passions and desires.”
For the climber, the higher he goes the colder it gets. The colder it gets the quicker they potentially move through the stages.
For the believer, the closer they get to Jesus (the more they walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh) the quicker their flesh goes through the spiritual stages of deactivation until it has no power over you whatsoever.
Pretty cool, huh?
And all you had to do was hang out more with Jesus!
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