Conclusion

The Apostle Paul uses himself as an illustration of a believer who has been saved, filled with the Spirit, and then has pressed forward to life lived in the Fullness of God. This is perfection. This is attainment to the first resurrection from among the dead: by this I mean the necessary preparation of the inward nature for the putting on of immortality at the coming of the Lord from Heaven.

All of us Christians know this verse. How many of us are having this experience?

We in America, and perhaps in the whole world, are facing ominous times. The drums of Hell are beating to the attack. This is not a reason for the cross-carrying disciple to fear but it certainly is cause for the average, lukewarm church attender in America to be terrified!

Perhaps you are hearing of dreadful things taking place in your community, even in Christian families. What are we to do?

We do not want to spend our days in terror and dread. We are to learn to "fly by instruments." We are to learn how to look to the Lord instead of to our outward circumstances for direction and confidence.

Flying by instruments requires experience and constant prayer if we are not to crash.

The Lord Jesus is drawing near to us. As we open the door of our personality to Him we become much more aware of His Presence and will than ever before. As we cease our own frantic life and listen for the still small voice we are surprised to find out He is instantly present and willing to guide us. This is what I mean by flying by instruments.

Our natural understanding as we examine our circumstances is telling us we should be terribly worried. But we have prayed through to victory and the Lord is telling us all is well. We have to do this many times before we really know the Lord is speaking and can rejoice—especially when the outward circumstances tell us we are heading toward disaster.

As I am writing these words (February 25, 1999), the citizens of the United States are fearful concerning the breakdown of computers when the year 2000 rolls around. The Christians, instead of bearing a testimony of confident faith in God, are leading the panic parade. Instead of going to Jesus to find out what to do they are feverishly hoarding food and money so they will survive when the midnight hour comes. They do not care about other people, only about themselves and their own family.

I have been to the Lord several times about this. I refuse to dwell on "what might happen." I am flying by instruments. So far I have received assurance that all will be well with my family and myself. We shall see if I am hearing correctly from the Lord.

In any case, I would not go hide in the woods and leave the poorer church people here. What kind of a pastor would that be? As long as I have food and shelter, no one in this congregation is going to go hungry or cold. God help us!

To be continued.