All Natural is not Always All Good

S - Jude 1:19-23 (NIV): "These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."

O - Following "mere natural instincts" is not favorably noted in this passage. The result of these instincts in the lead of a person or a group is division i.e. the lack of and resistance to the unity Jesus prayed, died and rose from the dead for. Our religious minds are trained to assume that "natural instincts" refer to the dark and seedy side of our humanity (sexual perversion, abuse, rebellion). Of course the Scripture does not call these natural at all but identifies them as unnatural (e.g. Romans 1:26-27). So, what then are the natural instincts which divide us? How about competition for limited resources or our culturally beloved entrepreneurialism? These divide us all the time. What about self-preservation, fear or individualism? Intellectual superiority and our desire for control are also among the natural instincts which have fragmented families, groups and nations. The problem with these natural instincts is that they are so very natural to us, affirmed by culture (religious and non-religious) and allowed to wreak their havoc on our lives and our world with almost absolute impunity. These are preeminent among the causes of the devastating divisions which plague our planet including church splits, family feuds, bigotry and corruptions of every kind. The Scriptures are clear (James 3:16) “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

A - To ask the question of Romans 7 … who will deliver me from this body of death? The answer in Romans is same for me … Jesus! Not the concept, principle or idea of Jesus but Jesus himself. This is the beauty of the good news. It is not found in another facet we can control or manipulate like information or resources. Transformation, protection from myself, rescue from the deadly natural instincts which are mine are all found in a person not a creed or pattern or principle. He is unity. He draws together to unify our fragmented lives and planet into the unbounded freedom of his own person and image. Will I yield to and welcome his person to take the lead and l keep the lead; leading me into the love, mercy and faith which is vibrantly alive forever? Will I turn away from the naturally inspired divisions and into the supernatural unity of his unending life and family?

P - Lord who is Unity,

Thank you for wanting to lead me with all my natural and unnatural inclinations! Thank you for desiring to grow us up into your image and release us into the freedom that truly free. Lord, I turn from myself and to you! Please take and keep the lead in my little life. Enable me to live out loud the beauty of the identity and inheritance which is already mine in you. Lord, today while it is called today I turn into your love, mercy, faith and transforming presence.

Following gladly and in relief,

Steve