Do you often fail?
For some, failure is more than just an occasional departure from the norm. The norm is seldom a consistant success. Failure seems to be the norm. We fail the expectancies of others around us; our friends, even our loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, fellow Christians.
But why? Granted that seems to be so, but why is it so. Why is it the norm rather than an occasional mess up. God has not forgotten that we are flesh and blood, and not perfect. Why can't all of us always do the right thing, say the right words that would make up what God would have us say, and say it at the right time and in the right way to the right people?. Why this almost torturous inconsistency? Must it always be this way? Can we know the reason why, and do that which would solve the problem?
It may be another thing to fail a test of some type, but to keep a promise, or to apologize for an unintentional comment or criticism. That is a different level of failure. A failure of words that are contrary to what we intend and what we may feel deep down in our hearts.
Failure.
Its been around from eons past. Even with God's chosen people, who witnessed Him perform amazing miracles, send fire down from heaven. And yet, they failed. They failed in their promises, apparently with very good intentions most of the time. Does this seem familiar? As the say goes, does that "ring a bell" in our minds?
The Apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest, most educated and determined of the Apostles, was dismayed over his own failtures. Not over his performance as an apostle, but over his own lack of ability to always do the right thing:
"But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment [to express itself], got a hold on me and aroused and stimulated all kinds of forbidden desires (lust, covetousness). For without the Law sin is dead [the sense of it is inactive and a lifeless thing]. Once I was alive, but quite apart from and unconscious of the Law. But when the commandment came, sin lived again and I died (was sentenced by the Law to death). And the very legal ordinance which was designed and intended to bring life actually proved [to mean to me] death. For sin, seizing the opportunity and getting a hold on me [by taking its incentive] from the commandment, beguiled and entrapped and cheated me, and using it [as a weapon], killed me." Romans 7:8-11
As an Israelite trained in the law, if anyone should have been able to keep it, it surely would have been him. By his own admission he failed. Perhaps not often - as many of us do - but he failed apparently in many ways, and apparently often. He lacked constant success in obedience to God. He failed, and by his own admission.. But he was growing in God's righteousness constantly.
There was inconsistency in ancient Israel in its attempt to obey God, that was caused by the influence of the nations around it. Israel was set apart by God, but they did not have the character to remain obedient and centered on God. This was central to their failures; the lack of consistency.
But it was not revealed to Israel of that time. As we read of their terrible trials in the wilderness prior to entering the Promised Land, there seems to be no indication of the reason why they failed. One could say, well, it was not in their nature, and inner power to obey perfectly.This is the key to understanding the failures of all peoples of all the earth. God allowed Israel's incredible failures to show to the world, and especially to those of today, the problem of human nature. God's timetable was to wait for the revealing of the solution.
The key to their failure, and at the same time, the answer for you and me, was spoken by Jesus Christ to His disciples shortly before He was to die for the sins (the failures) of you and me, and the world:
"If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you." - John 14:15-18
Without the Holy Spirit in them, the nation of Israel could not remain faithful on their own strength. The Holy Spirit had not been given to humanity, except in very special cases. He did not "abide" and live in those who were chosen by God, because the Holy Spirit had not been given to all who desired to remain faithful.
The solution came when Jesus told the disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to earth to indwell all who believed in Him.
Because the Holy Spirit dwells in true Christians, He gives increasing power and strength to overcome, and experience less and less failures in our lives as we submit more and more to Him. The Holy Spirit will continue to mold us in Christ's image until that day when He will complete His creation of many sons of God.
He never fails.
And when He is finished molding us, we will never fail. We will be immortal sons of God for
eternity. No more failues.
We will have become perfect in Jesus Christ.
" But it is God Who confirms and makes us steadfast and establishes us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and has consecrated and anointed us [[a]enduing us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit]; [He has also appropriated and acknowledged us as His by] putting His seal upon us and giving us His [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit and guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]." - 2 Corinthians 1:21-22