Walk In The Light

The only way we will learn to relate as a more functional family of God, is if we walk in the light, as He is in the light. Then we will have fellowship with one another. It is by transparency, honesty and confessing our hurt or sin to one another. The security of acceptance and loving accountability is a beginning for the climate of love to grow and blossom in us as a family; toward the new, dysfunctional or hurting members. When I hurt someone unaware, I want them to inform me so we may both be healed. This is far better than just trying to avoid the one who hurt us.

All of us have experienced a distortion of God's love from the moment of our conception because of sin. All of us have been subject to deceptions, lies and accusations no matter how loving, godly or healthy our family structure was or is. Without subjecting our minds to the renewal process of the Word, continuing to hold every thought captive and being honest with those who have hurt us (or about our hurts) then we are limiting the Love of God to move amongst the members of our body. Most Christians, and especially new ones, do not naturally know how to relate functionally. We (with some training) must know some practical ways to encourage them and help them to receive our love.

SOZO is a Hebrew word that means Saved, Healed, Delivered. Many times when the word 'saved' is used in the new Testament it is referring to this complete package. Jesus came to set the captives free. This involves being saved from the second death, healing through forgiving others and deliverance from the lies, strongholds and bondages of sin and the evil one. We have been given power from on high to execute this complete package of salvation. We must walk in this authority for the sake of the many who need this complete salvation package. We also need to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

An impression was made upon me when Ian preached about us believers who attend Corvallis Calvary Chapel, being a family. After the service, I was unable to get eye contact from those who sat in the far back, closest to the exit door. Most faces had eyes that were down cast. How can we reach into the heart of one of these 'attendees' who does not seem to have the ability to express or expose themselves that they might be healed? I wanted to connect and smile into their faces but this was not natural or comfortable for most. On the other end of the spectrum, the extreme of 'letting it all hang out' no matter how bad the sin, or deep the hurt isn't healthy and causes major discomfort to those listening. I was this extreme. I was willing to cut my arm off or pluck my eye out to advance this kind of salvation in my life. This grew me up fast in many ways but, 'too much information.' People ran when they saw me coming!

We need balance. May we experience the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to reach into the lives of the deeply hurting to provide security and comfort enough for them to reach out to others and allow our real 'self' to be seen and loved. Therefore, we are able to learn to love others in the language in which they are able to perceive being loved, as well as, allow others to love us.