PERSECUTION...
To persecute means to pursue. As I turn to the left and turn to the right, whatever is pursuing me, it is there. We know first hand what it means to pursue. In this life, we pursue after the things that our heart desires. We pursue after companionship or material things or interests. We've heard the phrase 'where theres a will, theres a way'. In other words, where there is a desire, the person will pursue until that desire is fulfilled.
At times we pursue what is right and at times we pursue what is wrong. But regardless, the pursuit is after the things we desire. As I look into the scriptures, I notice that persecution is to be expected for those who pursue the will and way and mind of God. As I pursue, I will be pursued. As I follow, I will be followed. Pursued by what? Followed by what? Do I run from this pursuit? What do I do when this pursuit has reached me? These are things to consider...
I am going off a thought that just occurred to me as I was typing the end of the last paragraph. I think of gravity. All things in the created earth are subject to the force and law of gravity. Gravity is continuously pulling down upon the objects subjected to it. The gravity is continuous. Wherever I turn, gravity is pursuing me in the created earth. Whether I am up or down, walking or running, sleeping or awake, singing or crying, gravity is continuously pursuing or following me. I cannot easily say that gravity is persecuting me, for I don't feel those words are proper to interchange in that context, however, the idea is parallel and proper to illustrate. Nonetheless, there is a force continuously pursuing my material body on this earth and it is gravity. Likewise, there is a continuous force pursuing our unseen being in an unseen realm and it is the root of persecution.
Now, of course, although the pursuit is towards our unseen being in an unseen realm (no, not some dark spiritual essence that floats around invisibly), the effects and manifestation of this pursuit is often visible in the physical realm. For example, a hateful attitude originates in the unseen realm, however, when a person carries it among them and thrusts it upon another, that unseen pursuit becomes a visible and tangible pursuit. The hate that is hidden becomes revealed. So therefore, persecution resides in both realms, as it begins in one and manifests in the other. It is similar to what Yeshua said, that if you lust in your mind (unseen realm) you are an adulterer already (you have already committed the act secretly and will act upon that lust in the physical realm).
Consider the idea of gravity again.... Gravity is constantly there pulling. Yet there is a way to move against the gravity. This is anti-gravity. There are ways to stand against the gravity. Let's think, for example, about helium within a balloon. The helium is an element that creates a force that defies the pull of the gravity. If I wanted to rise above or stronger than the gravity, I would need to be connected to the helium. I would use the helium to help me to defy the pull of the gravity. I imagine myself rising opposite of the downward force of the gravity. While I am rising, I am well aware that if I were to disconnect from the helium, in any measure, the gravity is there ready to continue its work in that same measure. The moment I let go of the helium balloon, with one hand, I can be absolutely sure that the one hand will fall among the pull of the gravity that is in place. If the balloon lost the smallest amount of helium, I would become aware of the gravities work in that same amount.
Each man as he carries among him the lower mind or unregenerated mind or ungodly mind, that man shares this dying way of life in some measure. All of the physical realm is tainted and corrupted and under the sway of wrong. It is continuously missing the mark and in error as it is ruled by death or the force of dying. It is a force continuously moving among us as we share this destructive and deadly way unto ourselves, others and all of the created realm. It is a place of continuous dying, as you know. Can you think of a single material thing that lives without dying, ending or changing. This continuous dying is a force that is presently and constantly at work to take hold of us. To grip our thinking and speaking and acting. It is like gravity that is at work at all times and in all ways in this realm. The way of this realm constantly pursues us. It constantly follows after us. It constantly persecutes us. It is a law at work that as we live among this created realm, that lower and destructive way will pursue or persecute us. Like anti-helium, this may be considered anti-God or anti-life or it may be a shock to hear, anti-anointed (Christ).
In the same way as the helium defies and rises above gravity, so is the mind of God among our mind. The way and desire of God has been imparted and impressed upon our mind and our desire. Gods mind is higher than our mind. Gods ways are higher than our ways. That is another way of saying that Gods ways and mind defies the force that presses against us in this created realm. Gods mind and ways are within our being and have become one with us. Our thoughts and words and actions are becoming renewed and standing back up again (resurrected) as it once fell lower. This is a force that opposes the mind and thinking and desires that are moving among this natural world. As often as we are flying high among the heavens of God spirit among us, the pursuit of this realm continues to follow. As often as we turn here or there, this persecution continues to pursue. As often as we blink and shut an eye to the way of God, the strength of this lower realm is ready to pull us lower. It is a constant and continuous pursuit that we should expect all the days of our lives. We are encouraged to be on guard and watchful of this continuous pursuit that we have been subjected to for a great purpose.
You will be pursued, I am certain and convinced of its power, but you do not need to be captured and overcome. We know what it means to be captured and overcome, don't we? I know that I do and I prefer not to be. Rise among your helium, or as the wings of an eagle lifting high above the way of this lower realm. Rise and do not look down or you will become dizzy. Be pursued and do not look back. It is the pressure of this pursuit that keeps you moving or fleeing forward and running into the arms of your father.
Be pursued, for it is all working under the authority and direction of your loving God. There is no persecution that is stronger than you are able to endure. God will only allow what you are capable of handling. Remember, the intent of God allowing this pursuit is love.
Switchvues
At times we pursue what is right and at times we pursue what is wrong. But regardless, the pursuit is after the things we desire. As I look into the scriptures, I notice that persecution is to be expected for those who pursue the will and way and mind of God. As I pursue, I will be pursued. As I follow, I will be followed. Pursued by what? Followed by what? Do I run from this pursuit? What do I do when this pursuit has reached me? These are things to consider...
I am going off a thought that just occurred to me as I was typing the end of the last paragraph. I think of gravity. All things in the created earth are subject to the force and law of gravity. Gravity is continuously pulling down upon the objects subjected to it. The gravity is continuous. Wherever I turn, gravity is pursuing me in the created earth. Whether I am up or down, walking or running, sleeping or awake, singing or crying, gravity is continuously pursuing or following me. I cannot easily say that gravity is persecuting me, for I don't feel those words are proper to interchange in that context, however, the idea is parallel and proper to illustrate. Nonetheless, there is a force continuously pursuing my material body on this earth and it is gravity. Likewise, there is a continuous force pursuing our unseen being in an unseen realm and it is the root of persecution.
Now, of course, although the pursuit is towards our unseen being in an unseen realm (no, not some dark spiritual essence that floats around invisibly), the effects and manifestation of this pursuit is often visible in the physical realm. For example, a hateful attitude originates in the unseen realm, however, when a person carries it among them and thrusts it upon another, that unseen pursuit becomes a visible and tangible pursuit. The hate that is hidden becomes revealed. So therefore, persecution resides in both realms, as it begins in one and manifests in the other. It is similar to what Yeshua said, that if you lust in your mind (unseen realm) you are an adulterer already (you have already committed the act secretly and will act upon that lust in the physical realm).
Consider the idea of gravity again.... Gravity is constantly there pulling. Yet there is a way to move against the gravity. This is anti-gravity. There are ways to stand against the gravity. Let's think, for example, about helium within a balloon. The helium is an element that creates a force that defies the pull of the gravity. If I wanted to rise above or stronger than the gravity, I would need to be connected to the helium. I would use the helium to help me to defy the pull of the gravity. I imagine myself rising opposite of the downward force of the gravity. While I am rising, I am well aware that if I were to disconnect from the helium, in any measure, the gravity is there ready to continue its work in that same measure. The moment I let go of the helium balloon, with one hand, I can be absolutely sure that the one hand will fall among the pull of the gravity that is in place. If the balloon lost the smallest amount of helium, I would become aware of the gravities work in that same amount.
Each man as he carries among him the lower mind or unregenerated mind or ungodly mind, that man shares this dying way of life in some measure. All of the physical realm is tainted and corrupted and under the sway of wrong. It is continuously missing the mark and in error as it is ruled by death or the force of dying. It is a force continuously moving among us as we share this destructive and deadly way unto ourselves, others and all of the created realm. It is a place of continuous dying, as you know. Can you think of a single material thing that lives without dying, ending or changing. This continuous dying is a force that is presently and constantly at work to take hold of us. To grip our thinking and speaking and acting. It is like gravity that is at work at all times and in all ways in this realm. The way of this realm constantly pursues us. It constantly follows after us. It constantly persecutes us. It is a law at work that as we live among this created realm, that lower and destructive way will pursue or persecute us. Like anti-helium, this may be considered anti-God or anti-life or it may be a shock to hear, anti-anointed (Christ).
In the same way as the helium defies and rises above gravity, so is the mind of God among our mind. The way and desire of God has been imparted and impressed upon our mind and our desire. Gods mind is higher than our mind. Gods ways are higher than our ways. That is another way of saying that Gods ways and mind defies the force that presses against us in this created realm. Gods mind and ways are within our being and have become one with us. Our thoughts and words and actions are becoming renewed and standing back up again (resurrected) as it once fell lower. This is a force that opposes the mind and thinking and desires that are moving among this natural world. As often as we are flying high among the heavens of God spirit among us, the pursuit of this realm continues to follow. As often as we turn here or there, this persecution continues to pursue. As often as we blink and shut an eye to the way of God, the strength of this lower realm is ready to pull us lower. It is a constant and continuous pursuit that we should expect all the days of our lives. We are encouraged to be on guard and watchful of this continuous pursuit that we have been subjected to for a great purpose.
You will be pursued, I am certain and convinced of its power, but you do not need to be captured and overcome. We know what it means to be captured and overcome, don't we? I know that I do and I prefer not to be. Rise among your helium, or as the wings of an eagle lifting high above the way of this lower realm. Rise and do not look down or you will become dizzy. Be pursued and do not look back. It is the pressure of this pursuit that keeps you moving or fleeing forward and running into the arms of your father.
Be pursued, for it is all working under the authority and direction of your loving God. There is no persecution that is stronger than you are able to endure. God will only allow what you are capable of handling. Remember, the intent of God allowing this pursuit is love.
- Be pursued and keep moving.
Switchvues
