2 Corinthians 10:5

Do I Possess What I Profess?

Matthew 7:15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23 Anyone who confesses something they do not have becomes a false prophet. When the two, possess and profess, don’t line up there is an instability. I become a false prophet if I become aware of this inconsistency and do nothing about it.

Conversely, do I profess what I possess? Each of us has a “profession,” which is what I believe. What do I do with what I believe? A consistent and coherent life, internally and externally, is when my profession matches my actions (possession).

Matthew 7:21,22,23

I should not testify higher than I am living. Honesty and the willingness to be examined by truth is important.

The pull from “earth” tugs against the pull from heaven. This tug isn’t always sinful. There are legitimate life things. If I am seeking the will of the Father, I am responsive to the pull from heaven.

Earthy or heavenly?

  • Material life or a life without sin?
  • Love of money vs. poverty of spirit (humility and honesty)?
  • Desire to be accepted by peers or by God?

Matthew 10:37,38 Who or what are my objects of desire and focus? Jesus must be the first priority. This doesn’t suggest these relationships should be abandoned or that I shouldn’t care deeply and make these relationships a high priority.

1 Samuel 15:14,15,16,17 Saul lost proper perspective of his responsibility. He said he was obeying God, but he let the people sway his actions. When the treasure is higher than God, I won’t allow it to be sacrificed. There will be a day I will be called to sacrifice what I love. I don’t really know what my “Isaac” is until that moment.

Matthew 6:9,10,11,12,13 There is unity and coherence in this prayer.

It will create an internal conflict when I know my profession and possession don’t line up. I will look for a villain to push the discomfort onto.

Abraham’s object of desire was not just his son, Isaac. If I can’t sacrifice external things, it is rooted in an inability to sacrifice something internally of self; I am saving myself from the suffering.

The greatest legacy I leave my children is I have placed God first.

If I make excuses for why profession and possession aren’t lining up, God cannot move in to adjust and fix this discrepancy.