Escape

What’s the hardest part about being a follower of Christ?
I would contend that it’s the troubles; the suffering and hard things that we go through.
We know we’ve been redeemed but the pull to act out according to our old man is still very real. Of course, now that our eyes have been opened, we’re grateful that bad choices become more apparent that they are, bad choices. Unfortunately, that fact doesn’t stop the constant barrage of the old flesh's suggestions to the contrary. In response, we grow in our strength – not just to resist, but to acknowledge our faith in God who has better intentions for us.

This thinking about the struggles of the Christian faith drove me to consider long and hard about two words: Escape and Refuge.

Most times, we want escape – total removal from even the perception of harm or danger. God hardly ever provides this option for us.

How can He?
Everything about sanctification is growth. Growing stronger beyond old cravings. Growing more resolute in a God who fights our battles. How can you know that God fights your battles if you’re so far removed from it that you can’t perceive Him working it out?     Exactly.
Faith grows on the battlefield, not the meadow.
To make us like Christ, we face temptations like He Did. We disarm and tear down offenders the way He did, by rightfully handling the Word of Truth, so we study. We’re brought to and through situations and circumstances where our progression is lived out, being evident to us and those who seek to prove(or refute) our credibility.

Here’s The Word:

2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

It’s a worthwhile study to focus on these two words. When you see that they’re different, it clarifies how we should see things. Spiritually, we’re seen as having ‘escaped’ from the world. Christ is not a temporary refuge when it comes to salvation as if we have to go out and keep fighting to be saved, although He is a refuge for His believers….you see where that’s different. The Father sees Christ and we’re hidden IN Him, but our day to day still plays out in the midst of tribulation….faith building tribulation. A fight that the Father knows and provides refuge for.

As the Wonderful Father that God is to His children, He is a refuge. Refuge is a respite – an interval of relief. Our job is to keep things in their proper context and know the path we’re on.
If we’re not trying to realize our growth, we’ll try to see refuge as escape. We’ll rejoice and unload our burdens as if our individual struggles are won and done. Not so. This is just to gather your composure, re-orient your direction to Truth, let God wipe a tear or two and resolve to jump back into the fight reinvigorated.

Here’s The Word:

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

See how closely related refuge is to the fight for our Christ-likeness. Take the time to feed on The Word, but also to become more intimate with it’s Speaker. Don’t expect that a blessed life as to be a trouble free life. That’s not how it works, but put it to the test. Live for Christ and amidst the trials, seek Him as a temporary respite. A refuge. Let Him give you times of refreshing that prepare you to get back to the grind, knowing that eventually, all of us called according to His Name and purpose – will ultimately escape this old world.


In Him,
Cros